Do you need a fun place to get a drink with some friends? Check out the Toasted Frog in downtown Fargo, ND.
So many people think eating while on vacation is just a task that needs to be done so your tummy doesn’t grumble while you are touring an art museum. For me, however, the restaurant, the food, and the drinks are just as important as any other piece of my travel plans.
When I’m planning a trip, I will spend most of my time looking for places I want to eat. That was very true when I was planning my trip to Fargo, ND. In fact, for this trip, I spent time researching where I wanted to eat and then figured out what hotel was close enough to walk.
The Jasper Hotel was in a perfect location with ample options for food and drinks. Want to learn more about why I chose this hotel? Check out my latest post on the Jasper Hotel for more information.
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1. The Toasted Frog Cocktails!!!
The night we decided to check out the Toasted Frog, it was pouring down rain. My plans for dinner were instantly changed as we were forced to eat the closest option to avoid being outside too long. Thankfully the Toasted Frog was super close too. After dinner at Teddy’s Eatery, we decided to check it out.
We found two empty stools at the bar and perused the menu. There were so many options…Caramel Apple, First Crush, Forbidden Fruit, French Frog, Hibernating Frog, Irish Breakfast Mule, Blue Ohia… how could I ever decide??
The options are amazing but what truly takes the cake is the care with which the bartenders took making each drink. I’ve been to many bars and had some delicious cocktails before but watching the two bartenders that night at Toasted Frog I knew the drinks would be amazing.
They were!!! They carefully and precisely made each drink. It was not just our drinks, they made each drink with care. It was less about turning the drinks around quickly and more about making them with care.
Each glass was inspected, every ingredient was carefully poured, and garnishes were selected with great attention to detail. I could tell they truly enjoyed crafting each drink and wanted it to be perfect.
Over the course of the evening, we tried several different drinks and each was just as tasty as the others. While I can’t vouch for every cocktail, I can say I loved the ones I tried; Lemon Drop Martini, Caramel Apple Martini, Cucumber Martini, and the Espresso Martini.
2. Chill but Classy Atmosphere
I love a good dive bar and I love a good Michelin-star restaurant, but where I feel most comfortable is somewhere in the middle. Too high end and I feel like I’m out of place, too dive bar and I feel like I need a shower. (If you know, you know!)
Toasted Frog however was perfect! Dark and moody, warm and cozy… black ceiling and black floor, with exposed brick walls and warm wood tables and bar. Can lights line the perimeter leaving the center of the room dimly lit.
Toasted Frog is a perfect place for a romantic date or to catch up with friends. Everyone will feel welcome and relaxed. It’s truly a place to chill and enjoy the evening!
3. Awesome Location
When traveling, I’m big on location. Especially when the majority of the trip is centered around dining and drinks. I prefer to stay in hotels within walking distance of ample things to see and do. Including restaurants and bars.
Knowing this, Toasted Frog is in a perfect location! Within walking distance of several hotels (including the Jasper Hotel) and residential buildings. Downtown Fargo is also centrally located for residents in the area.
They also have a second location in Grand Forks, ND but that will be for a different trip.
4. Delicious Food
Ok full disclosure, we only had appetizers during this trip to Toased Frog, but I have been to the other location in Grand Forks. Both the food I had there and the appetizers in Fargo, were delicious!!!
There are a ton of amazing options; truffle fries, bruschetta, hummus, calamari, and even the lavosh, or a pizza would be great for a light meal to share. But the calamari and cheesy pickles were calling our names. More on the cheesy pickles later…
The first few times I tried calamari I was NOT impressed. Rubbery rings fried in heavy batter…no thanks. But after a trip to Italy, my view of calamari changed forever. We got into Rome super late (our flights were delayed, then canceled, and then needed to be re-routed through Germany…) we were exhausted and starving. Not knowing much about the area yet, we opted to grab a meal at the hotel restaurant.
It was a 4-course pre-fix meal with an appetizer, soup and salad, an entree, and of course dessert. The appetizer course was, you guessed it, calamari. And not just a small basket like you would get here, it was a heaping dinner plate full. A mound so high I thought it would topple over.
My travel partner refused even to try it. Being from the Midwest would rather die than insult a chef’s cooking, I reluctantly took a piece and tossed it in my mouth. It was like heaven! Flavorful, sweet, and tender, lightly breaded with a hint of sea salt. It was amazing. I can honestly say I can’t remember what else was served that night but the calamari will stay with me forever!
Now, when I see it on the menu I have to try it. The calamari at Toasted Frog was worth it. Much like the calamari I had in Italy, this was sweet and tender with a light breading and a hit of salt. I loved it!! It took me right back to that restaurant in Rome.
5. Toasted Frog’s Cheesy Pickles
As promised, more about the cheesy pickles. I know this is food but these were so amazing they deserved their own section.
Toasted Frog is actually known for their cheesy pickles appetizer. I knew we needed to try them. OMG, these were amazing!! They are a dill pickle wrapped with Havarti cheese, stuffed in an egg roll wrapper, and deep fried. My mouth is watering just thinking about them.
The siracha dipping sauce really rounds out the flavors and textures. Sweet, salty, tart, spicy, crunchy, creamy…all in one little bite. I could have easily eaten the whole plate and ordered a second to bring home. If you visit Toasted Frog, you need to order the cheesy pickles!!
Side note: We didn’t finish the whole plate so I took the rest back to the hotel. I’d had a lot to drink that night so the next morning I was a bit…off… yeah, off. For me, greasy food is a good cure so leftover cheesy pickles were perfect. We stopped at Sandy’s Donuts (check back next week for more on Sandy’s Donuts), then headed home. Between the left-over cheesy pickles and a coffee and donut from Sandy’s, I was feeling much better before we got home.
Why you need to check out the Toasted Frog in downtown Fargo, ND
If you are in Fargo for work, for vacation, to visit family, to go to school, or if you live there, you need to head downtown and get a table. The relaxing atmosphere makes it easy to lose track of time. The food is fire and the drinks are second to none.
Check it out next time you are in the area!
Happy travels and remember the world is full of adventures all around you. Get out there and explore!
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