Say CHEE!

From the streets of downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, began the unique chain called TOM + CHEE. Carb cravers, fast metabolisms, and kids of any age love the crispy, cheesy original grilled cheese with a side of tomato soup. That’s what they’re known for, but with a twist. This may sound totally unoriginal, but the rest of their menu will have you wondering if you’ve entered the mind of a 5 year old in the kitchen.

In 2009, TOM + CHEE started out with a tent and a grill in the middle of Fountain Square in the heart of Cincinnati. Their signature Grilled Cheese Donut was all the rage. This is what they are known for today! You may be wondering whether this is a sandwich or a whacky dinner/dessert combo a child came up with, but I can assure you this is a tasty sweet twist that is socially acceptable for dinner (or lunch). It’s nothing to fancy either, a grilled, glazed donut with melty, medium cheddar in the mittle oozing out with every bite. Word got around and their business grew dramatically. In 2010, for the second summer, they expanded and grew their tent and grilled into a booming business people came back to experience. In 2015, they stated in their Shark Tank pitch, they were basically handed their second franchise (in 2013) which sits along the Ohio River in Newport on the Levee in Newport, Kentucky.

Grilled Cheese Donuts isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but the sweet yet gooey sustenance is worth being able to say you’ve tried. If there was a bucket list for food to try across the United States, this should be at the top of the list. Don’t let this frighten you away. Yes, at first it sounded disgusting, but the first bite was such a rush of flavor next thing I knew it was gone. To ease you into the style and aesthetic of TOM + CHEE, I would recommend, first, by starting out with their bowl of Tomato Soup. The creamy mixed with the tangy deliciousness we all know from tomato soup compliments any sandwich or doesn’t mind taking pride in being eaten by itself.

My favorite is the Chicken Bacon Ranch. Juicy, tender roasted chicken and strips of blacken coated in garlic ranch with ripe slices of tomato on top will satisfy your hunger in minutes! Taking your first bite will leave you with melted butter running down the corners of your mouth and a ranch mustache.

If you’re wanting to try something new, but not quite wanting something as weird as a grilled cheese in a donut, then I would suggest their Grilled Mac + Chee. Yes, it is exactly what you made thinking. Mac and Cheese on a sandwich. BUT... it has bacon. Bacon always makes things better, right? Unless you’re one of those people who don’t like bacon. Yes, those people do exist. Basically, this sandwich is like a 5 years dream dinner, lunch, breakfast... you name it. Toast up some white bread, slap on some super cheesy macaroni, and sprinkle (or dump) crumbled Applewood-Smoked bacon on top. Grill it up to get a buttery, crispiness to the Hearty White. Take a bite. Boom. Heaven.

I highly encourage anyone to check out TOM + CHEE if you’re near one.

Their other locations around the Midwest can be found in:

Due to COVID, Nashville, TN and Akron, OH had to close their doors permanently, but there are more locations on the way and if you’re traveling through any of these areas I would encourage you to stop by and experience this Cincinnati-born grub!