Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Tongue In Cheek

    4.5 (777 reviews)
    ModerateNew American
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Order Tongue In Cheek Takeout

    Tongue In Cheek Photos

    TONGUE IN CHEEK ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    More like Tongue In Cheek

    Recommended Reviews - Tongue In Cheek

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos - Tongue In Cheek

    Tracie B.

    This place has great prix fixe menus. Creative, pair with excellent libations, fresh and so flavorful. Anytime we get a chance to go we have. Just such a chill vibe with high end culinary products that are outstanding this was our prix fixe that I loved. The amuse to the prawns to the meat course and desserts and matching drinks were just steallar. Great service - just a fabulous experience every time!

    Melissa C.

    It had been a while since I'd made my way back to Tongue In Cheek and I am so sorry I waited so long! Honestly one of the best dining experiences my husband and I have had (and we got out to eat often)! The service was top notch and the food is incredible! I recommend all of the teasers!! They offer unique flavor profiles and are just fun! We were so happy to get a table by the window but they offer plenty of seating in the intimate setting. There is free off street parking or a small lot in the back. I still need to come back for that cocktail flight!

    Jason O.

    Tasty food, well made drinks, attentive service and some style too! Loved the way everything was plated and served. The food tasted as good as it looked. Plenty of small bites, aka "Teasers" to get started with and great shareable options or "small plates" too. Nice choice of entrees as well. Started with a Teaser called East Fried Pride, the pork belly in this bite was perfect. The Chicken and Waffle was next and my favorite. Perfect balance of sweet and savory. Also ordered the Daikon Pad Thai Salad and loved every bite. I had a bite or two of my son's Smash Burger with fries. Solid burger, cooked well and not over salted like most burgers in the Twin Cities. Great drink menu and like the food menu the items are all cleverly named. Make a trip to the Payne Phalen neighborhood of St. Paul and see for yourself! P.S. I love the style of their bar!

    Weekend at Benny's (Salmon eggs bendict)
    Jennifer B.

    I had not been to Tongue In Cheek in years, and am pleased to report that it was just as delicious as I remembered! And still full of eclectic art. They are open for brunch, lunch and dinner! I went for brunch and ordered a creamy espresso martini (which they kindly doctored for me since I prefer mine with milk/cream/baileys). Servers are friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. They asked about allergies as soon as we sat down. How We Brunch is one of my favorite options- you get a drink, a coffee, 2 small bites (teasers) and one brunch entree. We ordered the Jerk Roasted Cauliflower to share, and it does have a little kick. Then we got the Weekend at Bennies and Chicken and Waffles. Both exactly as described. I love how consistent and filling the food is here. Parking can still be a little dicey, so leave early to find a spot close by.

    Daniel E.

    Loved this place, a fantastic recommendation from a fellow Yelper! Everything about this visit rocked, a great dining experience. It's a cozy storefront on Payne Avenue, and they have succeeded in making it a comfortable setting with all kinds of ambiance. Server Johnathan was sensational, guiding us throughout our meal. Street parking. Casual attire. Oh my, the sourdough bread! Squash was great. Buns chicken was tasty. Pepper teaser so good. Ramen was excellent! They add 3% to totals if using a credit card. This place is truly outstanding!

    Exspresso martini
    Eileen A.

    Sunday in St. Paul. My new favorite place. Great service. Lively artwork. You can see people love this retro space. Food was excellent. People watching was a bonus. I will be back soon to try the Banh Mi It was being served all around us. Next time!! Unfortunately it was so loud in the dining room we had to shout to speak to each other.

    Interior
    Jessica H.

    I grabbed brunch with a friend today and suggested we go to Tongue in Cheek--one of my longtime favorites. She'd only been there for dinner once (and loved it), so she was excited to see what their brunch was about. We both went for the brunch special, which is honestly the best value on the menu. For $38 you get bottomless coffee, an "eye-opener" cocktail, a full brunch entrée, and two teasers. You can upgrade to a non-brunch entrée for a small charge, but we stuck with brunch items this time. We started with the Steamed Pork Buns from the "To Share or Not" section--my usual must-order. They're consistently great, and today was no exception. My friend ended up saying they were her favorite part of the meal. My personal go-to entrée is the Heeeere's Johnny, which is still the best Benedict I've ever had. Their pork is always incredibly flavorful, and the extra sauces on the plate--unmentioned on the menu--really elevate the dish. On days I don't get that, I usually go for the ramen, which is also excellent and served all day. Both are consistently strong choices. Today, though, we tried something new: the Market Omelette. The ingredients rotate, so the version we got had mushrooms, goat cheese, and hollandaise. They offered bacon as an add-on, which I skipped but probably should've taken, because the goat cheese ended up a little overpowering. The eggs were impressively fluffy, but overall it didn't beat my usual Benedict. For teasers, I chose The Blues and the Shroomin'. Both are favorites of mine. The Blues is tiny (probably the smallest teaser they offer), but tastes like a bite of blueberry pie, and the Shroomin' is a creamy mushroom custard topped with fried enoki--really well done. My friend tried the Shroomin' and loved it. She ordered SGT. Peppers and Bacon & Egg. I didn't try her Bacon & Egg since it's truly one bite, but she said it was very good. The SGT. Peppers was generous and had a great house-made jerk sauce that they apparently sell by the bottle. I've tried almost all their teasers at this point, and SGT. Peppers, East Fried Pride, and Shroomin' are my top picks. If you're curious, I've heard you can ask for a full flight. I ordered my usual cocktail, When Doves Cry, and my friend liked it enough to get one herself. We also tried the mimosa trio. The Raspberry Tarragon was our favorite, followed by the Ginger Basil. The Citrus/Jalapeño Pistachio wasn't for me, but it was interesting to try. I probably wouldn't order the flight again, but I'm glad we gave it a shot. They also have three separate drink menus--general cocktails, brunch cocktails, and a dessert drink menu that comes out later--which is a fun touch if you like options. Service today was excellent. Multiple staff members checked in on us, dishes were cleared quickly, and despite it being a busy Saturday, everything felt smooth and attentive. The space itself has a lot of personality and fun decor. There's a parking lot behind the restaurant that a lot of people miss, and street parking nearby if it's full. Tongue in Cheek continues to be one of my favorite places for brunch. It's great for a meal with friends, an easy date spot, or even a solo visit. I've never had a bad experience here, and I'll keep coming back.

    Dessert
    Morgan S.

    This was one of the best brunch experiences I've had in a while! Our Server, Riley, was incredible. She detailed everything, attentive, fun and excited and really made the experience that much better. The food was to die for! We got the brunch special which was a coffee, cocktail, main dish and 2 teasers. The teasers are one of the coolest ideas as it's a small bite/app that has beautiful presentation and various different flavors and felt like a really cool way for the chef and staff to show off some fun and unique dishes. I had the Sgt Peppers which was lightly breaded and fried shishito peppers in this vinegar sauce almost like a Carolina gold BBQ sauce and the bubba gumps which was a delicious tempura shrimp with a tasty creamy wasabi sauce. For my cocktail I had the Irish coffee which for a coffee lover like me was a great start to the morning and tasted great. My main dish was the chicken and waffles and it was well done, I feel like chicken and waffles often can underdeliver but this one far exceeded that. It was nicely seasoned crispy chicken strips on a fluffy waffle and a perfect pairing of flavors, salty/sweet, and amazing texture on both. We had a few desserts as well, one that was like a deconstructed s'mores and was super tasty as well as a panna cotta which was fresh and filled with delicious berries. Could not recommend this spot more!

    @Market Omelette
    Jon P.

    White-glove service and an absolutely splendid meal--all at a surprisingly nice price. Parking was a breeze, the layout was a tad puzzling figuring out who to check in with for seating. Minor quirk aside, the whole experience was downright marvelous. Do yourself a favor - pop in here!

    Pork Belly, Tiger Prawn
    Neil S.

    We came here on a whim and it was overall a very enjoyable dinner! We had the pork belly and the tiger prawn starters, and both were good but the pork belly really stood out. They change their menu up regularly so unfortunately what we had for entrees might not be available to you, but I'll say I enjoyed the vegan bowl a lot and my partner's ramen bowl was likewise delicious. We got a pineapple mocktail, and that was tasty; the booze and cocktail menu seems pretty well developed, so I'd say this could be a good place for those.

    Front
    Aneesa K.

    Super cool! Great staff my hubby! I tells ya KNOWS the best places in town can't wait to show you our food order the staff ALL work together, you're never without someone coming to check on you. Im in love tip well, it's entertainment! What ARE YOU WAITING FOR??? Get over here ciao for now.

    Berries and cream panna cotta
    Courtney A.

    You are not ready for the culinary surprise and delight that is Tongue in Cheek! This is the hole in the wall restaurant that you HAVE to frequent and bring your out of town friends to immediately! It will impress and delight everyone without a doubt. This is where you bring your vegan, vegetarian and meat eating friends alike! The staff are incredible - fun, fast and ready with a suggestion or two. There's an incredible brunch of course, but dinner is where you want to be! From the cocktails (which are plentiful, new and endless) and entrees to the shareable and tasters (which are 1-3 bites), you're sure to enjoy every single bite! Trust me when I say the Food Network missed this one and you have to try it! It delicious, quiet and incredibly affordable considering the quality of ingredients and options available! You won't regret going, but you will regret staying home!

    Blues teaser
    Lindsay R.

    Great place and good food. Stopped here when we're in the area and got a couple of their teasers ($4 each) and ramen to share. The shroomin teaser was amazing!!! If you like the flavor of mushrooms get this!!! So...good and my husband and I were each able to get 2-3 small bites from it. The Blues teaser was amuse-bouche style and good but definitely only one bite. The bacon dash ramen (added in pork) was honestly the best ramen I've ever had. It was loaded with fresh flavorful toppings and the pork was to die for! Get the pork!!! You will not regret it. So tender, juicy and yummy with the caramelized crunch on the outside of every bite. The server said they braise it for 4 hours. I'd honestly go back just for a plate of that but the other food is worth it too. The ambience was nice and the service great. Give them a try!

    Ode to the Dome

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 days ago

    Terrible service. And the food is awful. You can try it for yourself. Worst food in town.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Fish of the day was grouper and it, the potatoes and the sauce were excellent. Flight of cocktails was fun and we loved them all.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 11
    Thanks 5
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of JD H.
    519
    672
    3629

    1 year ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    20 days ago

    Amazing cocktails, great specials! A must try if you can! Get the special, and chocolate dessert!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Xia Y.
    255
    740
    2402

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 20

    Ask the Community - Tongue In Cheek

    Going on Saturday with friends, reservations were already made. The "cheeseburger" entree....does it come with a potato side like fries, mashed, baked? Can I omit ingredients…

    They are pretty accommodating for dietary restrictions

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Holman's Table

    Holman's Table

    4.2
    (307 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    Absolute MUST for brunch in patio season!…read more The coolest part of this space is their patio: you can see private planes coming and going since the patio is right on the runway for a private airport. You can book helicopter rides from here! Seriously such a cool way to spend a special occasion! We came for brunch and loved everything we ordered: - Bloody mary set - great for sharing and sampling - Caesar salad - Fried chicken sandwich - they turned it into two rather than one big one which we liked for sharing - Breakfast pizza This was picture perfect start to finish. We had lovely service and were pinching ourselves at how cool this place is!

    Such a cute restaurant located next to the St. Paul airport. Fun to look at the older planes which…read moreyou can view in the viewing area or from your table if you are near a window. We arrived before our reservation so grabbed a seat at the bar. Came just in time for the tail end of Happy Hour and enjoyed a glass of wine and beer with the appetizers of truffle potato wedges and charcuterie. Loved the charcuterie especially the cheeses, but do wish the bread was sliced better. The potato wedges were piping hot but a bit too thick on the potato for me. We finally got seated and was pretty disappointed as I saw that the table they sat us at was open the entire time we were at the bar. I was told by the hostess that someone was sitting at our table when we arrived, but clearly that was not true. I was grateful that they didn't make us eat off the Restaurant Week menu and I got the gargenelli pasta. It was a nice pasta dish with the goat cheese and the toasty bread crumbs. I didn't taste any of the n'duja though the waitress said it was in the sauce. Overall a nice dinner but do wish the service was as good as it was in the bar area.

    Photos
    Scenic overlook
    Scenic overlook
    Holman's Table
    Holman's Table

    See all

    1881 Eating House

    1881 Eating House

    4.1
    (43 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    Lunch here seemed the perfect tonic after two days and nearly a 6 hour delayed arrival on the…read moreEmpire Builder. I can only envy the locals for having access to the 1881 unlike this 'soon to be home New Yorker'. I had the Wedge Salad, which was covered generously in fresh tomatoes, all the bacon and blue cheese crumbles one could wish; and the add-on grilled chicken breast was truly unbelievably good!! All large lunch salads I've ever had could only wish they were so good. Impeccable table service, but there's also a large bar and plenty to look at in the beautifully restored Station Head house. Going to the train station for dinner if you're not traveling seems like an odd choice, but I truly encourage you to make it. I needed greens after two days of Amtrak food, but everything read well on the menu. I'm sure you won't be disappointed with whatever you choose.

    We moved to a magnificent 1900's old renovated building 1/26 in Lowertown and are EXTREMELY happy…read morewith all elements of this location. We both grew up in NYC's suburbs/ worked in manhattan until 2000 and then moved to VA MN FL and back to MN. The well discussed homeless situation we find in outstanding meticulous control by the very attentive St Paul Police who know the community on a first name basis. (Weekends you don't see them, and during the week only spotted. They never approach us.). I have worked with the impoverished communities in Harlem, Boston, Richmond, Va and Mn as a volunteer and a few full time positions in Boston. Catholic charities has done a REMARKABLE job supporting/effectively aiding the entire homeless community in the Twin Cities! As a result, we are very comfortable walking anywhere during the day and early evening. So with great joy we joined hundreds of others on St Paul's famous " Train Days" with family and grandson. Then we went to 1881 for a light lunch for the first time. They were happily packed, and all the diners were voraciously downing their meals for a considerable time. I saw a beautiful " fish and chips platter" and will definitely come back to try it for dinner. The setting, ambiance are stellar! The main majestic thrilling lobby of this venerable giant ELEGANT old train station-- more beautiful than NYC and Boston's but similar to those in the Canadian Rockies ( took the Canadian Pacific northern route in 1970 w 70 lb backpack fr Vancouver to Detroit... unforgettable). This majestic rare location....makes the dining experience unique and wonderous! We both had excellent martinis expertly prepared and their famous French onion soup and salads. Our family ate croissant sandwiches and a wonderful egg dish. Beautiful exhilarating awe inspiring places like this have almost completely disappeared all across the USA. Old world cooking and meticulous good delicious seasoning is also FAST disappearing. Places like this desperately NEED us to survive. HIGHLY recommend!!! Enjoy!

    Photos
    1881 Eating House
    Happy Fries
    Happy Fries
    Hydrating between shopping and site seeing

    See all

    Hydrating between shopping and site seeing
    Baldamar

    Baldamar

    4.5
    (634 reviews)
    5.5 mi
    $$$

    My wife and I had never been to--or even heard of--Baldamar, so when our friends invited us to…read moreRestaurant Week there, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to give it a try. From the hostess who graciously held the doors open for us in the 95° heat to our incredible server, David, everything was outstanding. We started with cocktails. I had what may have been the best bourbon Old Fashioned I've ever tasted, and my wife enjoyed a wonderfully refreshing cocktail (whose name I, unfortunately, can't remember). We began our meal with the roasted Brussels sprouts. Normally, I'm not much of a Brussels sprouts fan, but I happily cleaned the plate. My wife and I shared the 12-ounce filet mignon, cooked medium rare, and it was absolute perfection. Chef's kiss. David recommended a bottle of wine to pair with our steak. It wasn't inexpensive, but it was worth every penny. But wait... there's more. As incredible as that wine was with the filet, it somehow paired even better (yes, I know that sounds impossible) with the slice of heaven they call chocolate cake. I'm sure it has a much fancier name on the menu, but "slice of heaven" seems more accurate. If you've read my other reviews, you know I have a tendency toward hyperbole. If there were ever a time to lean into it, this is it. THIS MEAL WAS FANTASTIC. THE AMBIANCE WAS PERFECT. THE FOOD WAS EXCEPTIONAL. AND THE COMPANY WAS DIVINE. We will absolutely be back--and when we do, we'll be asking for a table in David's section. (He works Tuesday through Friday.)

    Stopped into Baldamar and had a great experience sitting at the bar. Ashley took such attentive…read morecare of me from the moment I arrived and was incredibly welcoming throughout my visit. I started with the tequila and mezcal Old Fashioned, and it was fantastic. It was well-balanced, beautifully presented, and garnished perfectly. The food was equally impressive. The wings were delicious--crispy, well-seasoned, and cooked perfectly. My only small note would be that the celery was a little limp. The Caesar salad has officially been added to my regular rotation. The jammy egg was cooked perfectly with a rich, yolky center that was still easy to slice. The Parmesan crisps were thoughtfully sized, adding great texture without being so large they scraped the roof of your mouth. The salad was evenly dressed, making every bite flavorful. Overall, excellent food, outstanding cocktails, and warm, attentive service. I'll definitely be back.

    Photos
    Classic
    Classic
    Steakhouse burger with Caesar side salad
    Steakhouse burger with Caesar side salad
    This Mexican corn was beyond amazing!!!

    See all

    This Mexican corn was beyond amazing!!!

    Tongue In Cheek - newamerican - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...