Cheesie's Pub & Grub was established in 2011 by CEO and founder Chris Johnston, who built the concept around a simple idea: a place that just sold grilled cheese. The Lakeview location sits in a space that was formerly La Tradición, a Mexican restaurant, and the menu still carries one sandwich named in homage to that history.
The format is order-at-counter and casual — grab a spot, order at the register, and wait for the food to come out. Beyond the core grilled cheese lineup, the menu leans into comfort food: mac-n-cheese, chicken tenders, and fries. The centerpiece is the Mega Cheesie's Challenge, a 16-inch, 8-pound grilled cheese sandwich that diners can attempt to finish in 30 minutes.
Regulars point to the staff energy as much as the food itself, and the grilled cheese sandwiches have built a following of their own. Portion-to-price ratio and kitchen consistency are recurring points of conversation among diners. Cheesie's operates several locations around Chicago, along with a food truck and catering arm.
The format is order-at-counter and casual — grab a spot, order at the register, and wait for the food to come out. Beyond the core grilled cheese lineup, the menu leans into comfort food: mac-n-cheese, chicken tenders, and fries. The centerpiece is the Mega Cheesie's Challenge, a 16-inch, 8-pound grilled cheese sandwich that diners can attempt to finish in 30 minutes.
Regulars point to the staff energy as much as the food itself, and the grilled cheese sandwiches have built a following of their own. Portion-to-price ratio and kitchen consistency are recurring points of conversation among diners. Cheesie's operates several locations around Chicago, along with a food truck and catering arm.