Cat Scratch Fever

[October 15th, 2008]

“You can be LL Cool J,” says Josh, the genial bartender at Hungry Tiger Too (207 SE 12th Ave., 238-4321) as he passes me an LL-illustrated ace of hearts after I give him my food order. Legend has it, he once made a Nerd Rope-infused b-day cocktail for an acquaintance. A sign on the wall reads, “Hangovers installed and serviced,” and, after a browse through the extended list of $10 punchbowl “all-day sippers,” I believe it. For those a little intimidated by that prospect, 12 beers are offered on tap, and a couple of $3.50 Ninkasi Total Domination IPAs are the perfect accompaniment to the ridiculously hearty four-egg Tiger Scramble (a cornucopia of ham, bacon, sausage, peppers and onion for $8). All-day breakfast is always a winner, and the comprehensive menu (appetizers, burgers, sandwiches and salads) is heavy on the vegetarian and vegan options but should appeal to omnivores as well. Divided into a foosball-equipped, tiger-mural-adorned bar room; a non-smoking restaurant; and an outdoor patio, Hungry Tiger Too is a cut above a dive—and considerably swankier than the original Tiger that closed its doors a couple of years back—but it still draws the standard crowd of hip Southeast twentysomethings. The generously portioned cheap grub and decent 4-7 pm happy hour ($1 off drinks) should provide reason enough for cats to keep coming back.