Touch Supper Club — Restaurant in Cleveland

Disclaimer: this is a review of the Touch food truck.

Touch looks like the type of place that should have everything going for it: a hip, trendy vibe mixed with a creative menu featuring eclectic East-meets-West mashups. Alas the reality, I've found after multiple visits, is nothing less than a colossal let-down.

Part of the issue here is the balance, or lack thereof, of flavors in the food. At Touch, not only is mayonnaise it's own food group, it forms the base of the food pyramid; this is most clearly exemplified in the kimchi fries. Don't get me wrong: I'm a firm believer in the power a schmear of mayo has in elevating a humdrum sandwich into the realm of legendary lunchfare. You can even sell me on the Belgian practice of dipping pommes frites in mayo. However, no amount of kimchi, regardless of how old or pungent it is, can balance out the greasy, starchy, fatburg that is the congealed union of french fries and Touch sauce.

Furthermore, the portions at Touch are found wanting (for items that aren't french fries - alas those are supplied in overabundance): a 2 oz slice of tofu and three wilted spinach leaves on a tortilla does not a taco make. The pork belly taco likewise featured barely a handful of greens that, try as hard as they might, could save that ounce of burnt, desiccated pork from being consigned to the trash can. Simply put, Touch's tacos are an affront to hipsters everywhere. I'm surprised a herd of bearded, pipe-smoking, bowtie-toting dudes haven't descended on the truck to exact some sort of twisted revenge.

I tried to like Touch. I really did. However, the food was simply subpar, even by the rather middling standards of the Cleveland food truck scene. This is especially a shame given many items on their restaurant menu look tasty. After the food truck experience though, I don't see a reason to set foot in their...

Loved the vibe. The menu was well thought out. However, I have some small gripes about the food, which was good overall, but could so easily be executed better, I think. For instance, the fried cheese curds: these had a lot of salt on the batter on the outside that totally covers up the flavor of the cheese.

I got the mushroom pizza. The flavors were good, but the fresh mozzarella gave up a lot of moisture that made the pizza unpleasantly soggy in the middle. Additionally, this cheese tends to pull off the crust in one piece. The solution is to use a different cheese or shred it and use less.

The ramen was delicious. However, why is the pork belly in one giant chunk? This makes it a pain in the neck to eat it. Just cut it up into bite sized pieces.

The poutine was different than expected, but very good. I think the fries had vinegar on them, which is not traditional, but really cuts through the heaviness of the gravy and cheese, so it was welcome. But, these needed more and larger curds.

The cheese pizza and hanger steak were both reportedly delicious. No complaints there. I would...

We used to be regulars here (at least twice a week) but we've cut back because our favorite servers left about a year and a half ago. That being said, the dining service is only so-so (bar is good), and they really, really, really need to do away with the cover charge to get in on Saturday nights. BUT. The food. The food here is the best-kept secret in Cleveland (although it does get crowded on weekends), knocking the pants off of its neighbors in the area (yes, YOU, Crop). If you are worried more about the taste of the food and less about running into every local TV personality in Cleveland, eat at Touch. Best in show are the 2/$5 gourmet tacos on Thursdays (get frites and the Touch Sauce to go with them) and Sunday Brunch (Fruity Pebble pancakes!). If loud music and crowds aren't your thing, dine early on weekends or go...