What to know
- Start the quest by speaking to John Brown during the Damp Evidence mission.
- You must collect three hidden “Them Thingies” items across different locations.
- The Old Cheeselegger trades the recipe after you gather all items.
- Final reward is modest, but exploration offers extra collectibles.
You’ll encounter the Perfect Bog Fondue side job while progressing through Mouse P.I. For Hire, and it’s one of those quirky quests that mixes exploration, puzzle-solving, and light platforming. While the reward might not seem huge at first glance, the journey itself offers plenty of hidden details and optional collectibles that make it worthwhile.
Here is a quick overview of the Perfect Bog Fondue side job:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Quest Name | Perfect Bog Fondue |
| Starting NPC | John Brown |
| Key NPC | Old Cheeselegger |
| Main Objective | Collect 3 “Them Thingies” |
| Key Locations | Falling Rocks, Abandoned House, Tree Platforms |
| Final Reward | 2 Tokens |
| Bonus Rewards | Baseball cards (optional exploration) |
Perfect Bog Fondue quest start location
You begin this side job during the Damp Evidence mission, making it easy to miss if you’re rushing through objectives. Make sure you talk to John Brown, who can be found inside the Little & Big Bar Parlor in town. This interaction officially unlocks the quest and sets your objective to track down his missing recipe.

During the same mission flow, you’ll also need to speak with the Old Cheeselegger, who becomes your main quest handler. He won’t help you immediately though—you’ll need to prove yourself by collecting three mysterious items known as “Them Thingies.”
How to complete the Perfect Bog Fondue quest in Mouse PI For Hire
Starting the quest at Little & Big
Step 1
Start by conversing with John Brown at Little & Big parlor in the Mouseburg town. He will ask you to track down the recipe from the Old Cheeselegger at his ranch.

Step 2
Find the old Cheeselegger at the Ranch and ask him for the recipe, but he denies until you trade it for 3 of them Thingies for him.

1st of Them Thingies in Falling Rocks
Step 3
Head toward the Falling Rocks area, which is filled with environmental hazards and interactive elements.

Step 4
Look carefully for a lever mechanism hidden among the rocks. It’s easy to overlook, so scan the environment thoroughly.

Step 5
Pull the lever, which reveals a hidden cave entrance nearby.

Step 6
Enter the cave and search inside to find a white box with a block of cheese, which counts as the first Them Thingy.

2nd of Them Thingies inside the abandoned house
Step 7
Travel to the abandoned house in the same general region.

Step 8
Inside the structure, locate a gate labeled “Remember Dissonance.” This clue is important and marks the correct path.

Step 9
Proceed through the gate into a hidden room.

Step 10
Search the room carefully to find a white box, which is the second Them Thingy.

3rd of Them Thingies using tree platforms
Step 11
Move outside near the abandoned house and locate a cluster of tall trees with traversal hooks.

Step 12
Use your hook mechanics to jump between trees, navigating upward through the platforms.

Step 13
Continue until you reach a platform near a set of striped pipes.

Step 14
On this platform, you’ll find another white box, which serves as the third Them Thingy.

Complete the trade and finish the quest
Step 15
Once you’ve collected all three items, return to the Old Cheeselegger, who is typically found outside the jail area. Interact with him to exchange the collected items.

Step 16
He rewards you with the Perfect Bog Fondue recipe, which is the key quest item needed to finish the job. After receiving it, head back to the Little & Big Bar Parlor and deliver the recipe to John Brown.

Why this side job is still worth doing

While 2 tokens may feel underwhelming, the real value comes from exploration. You’ll likely discover baseball cards scattered across the areas, which can contribute to your overall progression and collectibles.
| Reward Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Reward | 2 Tokens |
| Secondary Reward | Exploration-based baseball cards |
| Hidden Value | Unlocks additional exploration opportunities |

You’re encouraged to interact with the world, solve light puzzles, and experiment with traversal mechanics like hooks and hidden levers.
It’s also a great way to familiarize yourself with the game’s level design, especially if you’re early in your playthrough. The combination of caves, hidden rooms, and vertical movement makes this side job more engaging than it initially appears.