FIRST: Mike’s Place

Located just off of Highway 76, the Kent-famous “Mike’s Place” has been serving up smiles since it first opened up in 1987. What better place to go when you’re feeling groggy while trying desperately to get over that nasty hangover? 

Mike’s Place is known for its funky decor and extremely extensive menu. “Ruebens are probably one of our top sellers,” said Tobin Rogers, a Mike’s Place manager of 30 years. 

This top-tier menu item starts with three slices of grilled rye bread, stuffed with corned beef, sauerkraut and swiss cheese and thousand island dressing.  

As for beverages, Rogers said Bloody Mary’s and Dragon Slayers, cocktails made of vodka, coconut rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, and some additional ingredients tend to be the most popular choice.

Other menu items — typically named in a rather comedic fashion — include the “I am so confused, but I like it!” sandwich, “Spongebob’s Krabby Patties” seafood cakes and the “I stole this from a chain restaurant” combination of popcorn chicken, mashed potatoes and corn. 

The iconic local restaurant also boasts long hours, open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

SECOND: Wild Goats

Looking for another local spot to rid yourself of that hangover? Wild Goats Fresh & Funky Fine Dining might be just the place to go. 

Open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m, Wild Goats offers a delectable variety of breakfast and lunch options. 

“I’ve only been here six months, but from the moment I walked in, it’s just a warm, inviting atmosphere,” said Tom Holman, a Wild Goats manager. 

Holman said the restaurant offers unique menu items, and said the El Cabro is his favorite. 

“For me, my favorite is the El Cabro, which is grilled hash browns, it’s got bacon, pepper jack cheese, it’s chorizo, and then they top it with two eggs over medium” he said. “They put some pico de gallo on top of it, and then they finish it off with some cream avocado/AVO cream sauce.” he says. 

As for hangover food, “We have an array of build your own burritos that seems to be big on the weekends,” he said. 

Wild Goats also offers daily specials like the “Soup-tacular,” “Burger Bonanza,” and “Buck Buck” which includes the customer’s choice of up to 15 breakfast items.

THIRD: Taco Tontos

Ranking in at #3 for “Best drunk food” in Kent is a local standout: Taco Tontos. 

This Mexican-style restaurant has been around since 1972, and what was originally a tiny taco cart is now a flourishing lunch and dinner location. 

“We’ve been around for 50 years and are best known for our baked burritos,” said owners Emily and Kevin Yohn via email.

Located just across from the train tracks on Franklin Avenue, Taco Tontos prides themselves on churning out fresh, fun food options for their loyal customers. 

Per their website, the restaurant serves a wide variety of burritos, including the Bacon Cheeseburgerito, the Sweet Potato burrito, and the chorizo burrito. They also serve up tacos, tostadas, enchiladas and taco salads. 

For the 21 and older crowd, Taco Tontos carries adult beverages like “Coffee with a Buzz,” House Made Margaritas, Mimosas, and Mexican Beer, to name a few. 

“As far as weekends and hangovers go, our Saturday brunch burritos will cure what ails ya–,” Kevin and Emily said. “If it’s a busy weekend you’re fueling up for to keep going, pairing the burritos with any of our house made margaritas or awesome local draft beers is a sure bet for a great weekend.”

Walk up the steps to Taco Tontos for an unforgettable experience, and get that drunk craving taken care of all the while. 

Morgan McGrath is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].