GREENVILLE, MN — At the Black Frog Restaurant, the customers know that “Naked Lunch” refers to more than just the ground breaking and mind bending William S. Burroughs novel of the same name. At least it used to.
Alas for those who enjoy the food, fun, and atmosphere of the Black Frog, it appears that one diner was left with a bad taste in his or her mouth; bad enough that they complained to the legal authorities.
It doesn’t appear to have been the food that so offended the unknown person as it was what some clients of the eatery went through in order to receive it free of cost.
At issue is the restaurant’s famous, and now infamous, “Skinny Dip.” While the sliced prime rib on a baguette is fairly traditional, the way that hungry and budget conscious eaters were able to have it served for free was not.
Docked in Moosehead Lake, the Black Frog Restaurant is perfectly situated for those with a love of water. In the case of the Skinny Dip, evening diners keen for its savory goodness but in search of a thrill and a bargain were – until recently – welcome to peel of their clothing and jump into the lake’s chill waters.
According to Turner, who found out about the single complaint when he attempted to renew his liquor license, if he’s formally asked to stop allowing his clients to have their bit of naked fun, then there won’t be any more free Skinny Dips served in exchange.
While not the biggest seller on the menu, restaurant owner Leigh Turner told the press that they served “two or three a week” during the three years that the offer was available. No one was ever exposed to any frontal nudity and towels were always available for the damp and daring.
“Most everybody applauded,” Turner assures.
Nonetheless, John Simko, the Town Manager for the area, apparently was contacted by the single person to have visited the Black Frog and not approved. Because of this, Simko has suggested that Police Chief Scott MacMaster have words with Turner about the sandwich deal. If that happens, it’ll be a fat chance that nobody will be earning a free Skinny Dip.
