
Birch & Maple’s French Toast Monte Cristo
Tastemaker
By Anna Faller | Aug. 14, 2021
For your weekly breakfast fix, look no further than the French Toast Monte Cristo at Birch & Maple in Frankfort. Founded and co-owned by fine-dining veterans Nick and Natalie Crawford, this cozy kitchen and cocktail spot first opened its doors in 2018; since then, its modern take on classic mama-fare has put Frankfort squarely on the map of northern Michigan foodie destinations.
A healthy mix of classic-meets-eclectic, Birch & Maple’s seasonally rotating menu offerings and locally sourced ingredients speak for themselves. But perhaps none is more vocal — or popular — than the signature French Toast Monte Cristo.
A fresh take on the classic Croque Monsieur, Chef Natalie begins her sandwich construction by coating two thick slices of buttery Challah in a secret egg-wash of baking spices and almond extract before cooking. Once the bread has reached crispy-golden perfection, she adds smoked Black Forest ham and American cheese, then tops off the whole melty magnificence with a drizzle of maple syrup and a house “crispy” egg — i.e., a sunny-side-up egg with butter-fried crispy edges.
You’ll want seconds, but trust us, you won’t manage to eat again until dinner. Or possibly breakfast tomorrow. $13. Find Birch & Maple at 727 Main St., Frankfort. (231) 399-0399, www.birchandmaplefrankfort.com
Trending

Meet the Karens
Every so often, Northern Express includes stories suggested by readers. This is one such story, and it came from Ada Takacs.… Read More >>
Summer Adventures Await: 22 Events Happening Up North This July
We all know about the big festivals happening around the North in high summer. So we skipped the obvious and dove into these… Read More >>
Sixty Years of Alpenfest
Sixty years—can you believe it?! This Alpenfest will be one for the books, and all the fun runs from July 8-12 in Gayl… Read More >>