Brandon T.
Yelp
Chapter 1
In the sprawling edible landscape of Payne-Phalen, there exists a whimsical wonderland that goes by the name of Tongue in Cheek. It's less of a restaurant and more of a culinary amusement park where food is the primary source of thrills and spills. And the menu? It changes with the seasons, like a tree dropping old leaves and sprouting new ones. A kaleidoscope of flavors. Keeps things interesting.
Let's talk about the pork belly. Each rendition is like a spin of a scrumptious roulette wheel, each outcome a gastronomic jackpot. It's as if the kitchen has a magic hat full of pork belly recipes and pulls one out at random for the day's special. It's delicious. I always win.
The staff, oh, the wonderful, eccentric band of merrymakers who make the place buzz like a hive of happy bees. They're as welcoming as a warm bed on a cold winter night, as efficient as clockwork. Good folks. They've seen my face more times than the resident cat has seen a saucer of milk.
Now for the main event, the food: the East Fried Pride, a dish that performs a Broadway musical on my taste buds. The steamed buns, as light and fluffy as cloud-nine. The entire brunch is a weekend symphony, while the vegasm of the day, a daily surprise, like a jack-in-the-box of edible, vegan goodness. Yum.
Then there are the potions: I begin with the Ron Swanson, a drink that roars with the fierceness of a lion in a field full of deer but whose slight sweetness welcomes the deer back to frolic in circles around the lion. My partner opts for the Mother of Dragons, a fiery libation that has the kick of a dragon's breath. They're cocktails, but also pieces of an epic culinary tale. We drink.
Tongue in Cheek, a hallowed sanctuary in my world of foodie delights, my home away from home. There's a certain charm to the place that makes every visit feel like a grand family reunion--if your family reunion involves a plethora of heavenly food and drinks. It's the bee's knees. I love it.
On a personal note, Tongue in Cheek has been the stage for some of my life's greatest dramas. It's as much a restaurant as it is a backdrop to my existence. Here, tucked in a corner with a plate of pork belly and a Ron Swanson, I received the call that my house was sold. The phone call tasted like victory. Whenever life tosses me a golden apple in the form of good news, this is where I come to celebrate. When family and friends from out-of-town visit, I bring them to Tongue in Cheek. It's the welcoming porch light to my life here, a shareable plate version of 'hello' and a 'welcome, make yourself at home.' It's a delicious introduction.
There is no better place to eat, drink, and cavort, and that's coming from a semi-professional cavorter.