Tom + Chee – Cincinnati

Sooooo… I have a friend that neither of us can digest dairy products, BUT THIS PLACE IS WORTH IT!
I will take whatever medicine that I have to for our lunch dates to enjoy these grilled cheese sandwiches!
They have daily specials that are amazing and the regular menu is also delicious.
My favorite is the HIppie: cheese, veggies, hummus.
I tried the mac & cheese today and it was definitely good. I am not sure how the mac & cheese grilled cheese would be, but I will try that on my next trip.
I wasn’t too hot on the grilled cheese donuts, but they really knocked my socks off. The S’mores one is my favorite, but I need to try more of them. I would definitely recommend splurging and getting one.

I am usually a huge fan but not today. I got my regular Tom & Chee for carryout lunch today. This sandwich which is normally grilled cheese with diced tomatoes and garlic was far from normal today. This cheese was hardly melted and there were huge slices of tomato on soggy bread. So disappointed and didn’t even finish the sandwich.

I loved this place and so did my husband. I was sketchy about eating here at first but to my surprise it was very good! Always enjoy eating here when we go to the river.

One week into my month long trip in India, I started to day dream about grilled cheese sandwiches. So much so that as soon as I landed back in the USA, I stopped at Tom + Chee before driving home. I eat only dairy free cheese, so this place is a godsend for offering a vegan cheese option. I ordered vegan cheese, cherry pepper, and potato chips on rye bread. Honest to god, I will never forget how good that sandwich was. It was more satisfying than I could have imagined. Whenever I’m missing India, I oddly think about how that grilled cheese sandwich was the ultimate ending to the best trip of my life. Thank you… Highly recommended!

It’s a donut, it’s a grilled cheese sandwich, it’s all delicious. You tell yourself you’ll only have one because you know it’s not healthy for you, but after you finish your first one you’ll end up ordering 2 maybe 3 more. So good. Would love to come back to Cincinnati just to get their grilled cheese donuts again

Used to be my absolute favorite go-​to for an excellent salad for lunch. They recently quit using field greens in favor of a «lettuce & greens blend» — read, we’re cutting corners. There was maybe one spinach leaf in my large Green Goat Salad amidst all the iceberg. Very disappointed. Won’t be returning in the future.
Edited to add — the staff told me this change had been made about a month ago.

Pretty good food but I get very, very irritated when a place charges money for water. I paid over ten dollars for a grilled cheese and small soup. Everyone at the restaurant was very nice and overall I would recommend it. Don’t charge me a quarter for not drinking pop.

Cheese and bread and whatever else your heart desires — That’s Tom+Chee for you! Unfortunately, locations near my office have been closed so I was finally able to be reunited with Tom+Chee last night and it was like being away from my long distance lover for months! Or… maybe that’s a little bit dramatic but hey my Flying Pig sandwich was THAT good. Turkey, bacon, pickles and melted gouda AKA the Flying Pig was delicious. Tack on the friendly and super quick service (as in I was running late for a movie quick), you’ve got a great place for eats on the Levee!

Absolutely amazing! I had the grilled cheese with turkey and pesto and I added basil to it. It is my newest addiction ! I also had the chunky tomato soup and it was very flavorful and a little on the spicy side; I thoroughly enjoyed it as well! I have a feeling that no matter what you order you will not be disappointed! Enjoy!

I like cheese. I like bread. I like goetta. You’re offering it to me all in one? Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness oh my goodness.
The fact that I’m here weekly and I haven’t written a review about it could mean two things: 1) I’m too busy eating my deliciousness to write one or 2) I don’t want to share with you. Which I suppose now I am, so we can now refer to #1 as my reasoning.
Many people come here for the grilled cheese donut, and let me tell you, that’s not my thing. It’s touristy, it’s overly sweet, and hell, I don’t even like donuts. So if you’re going to ask me to review that particular item, you’ve asked the wrong person my friend.
However, if you want to know our their bomb ass mac and cheese, their seasonal blue cheese chili, or how to make the most amazing make it yourself grilled cheese, you’re inquiring to the right gal.
What do I normally get? A brie, mushroom, onion and goetta grilled cheese on rye. Rye and I have the type of relationship that high school sophomores have: secretly infatuated with each other but whenever someone asks, we’ll pretend not to know each other for fear of not being «cool». When used as a vessel for the cheese and goetta I acknowledge rye’s prescence so that way we can hang out and enjoy the meltiness together.
My girl Sammi is a sucker for the mac and chee. Basically a mac and cheese inside of a grilled cheese, this mind bomb of a sandwich is a bit too carb heavy for my taste, but I will never ever turn down a bowl of their mac and cheese. Is that bacon in there? Man, I don’t know, and I don’t care, so long as a I get to keep eating.
My only qualms about this place is that sometimes the cheese isn’t super melty. I understand how heat works so I can’t blame them but when you want a nice, hot, melty sandwich and you receive something a little harder, it can be disappointing. Also, the sandwiches aren’t going to be the most filling if you’re a heavy eater. I enjoy food, no doubt, but I also can’t eat a lot in one sitting, so one sandwich usually fills me. If you like a lot of food, you may want to get sides or even two sandwiches, and that can get costly. But for me, it’s the perfect lunch. AND THEY DELIVER FROM GRUBHUB FROM 11AM-​1PM TO DOWNTOWN. I can get my cheese fix at work!
I’ll stop talking about the glorious meltiness and let you experience it for yourself. I’m also about to order some Tom + Chee.

Oh so cheesy! You can’t go wrong with grilled cheese and tomato soup. It’s perfect for a cool day! I’ve been here several times but today went for lunch at the downtown location. I had not been since they renovated and it looks great.
I ordered a «build your own» grilled cheese. I chose wheat berry bread, brie, goat cheese, and blueberry compote. The server suggested the goat cheese to go with brie and it was a great idea. The sandwich was toasted to perfection and wonderfully buttery. The blueberry compote was sweet and most importantly it didn’t have an artificial flavor. It was like the blueberries were picked the same day!
I got the chunky tomato basil soup — big pieces of tomato for sure! I would like to try the creamy tomato next time as I think I would enjoy it more. This is a great lunch spot for all types of customers. The prices are also reasonable. Several servers also stopped by a couple times to take our baskets and ask if we needed anything. Overall it was great and I will keep coming back!

I had high expectations walking into Tom + Chee. Never tried their sandwiches and always wanted to go. I would get mixed reviews from friends, either it was really good or overrated.
My friend and I went on a Saturday afternoon. Their menus was simple but had alot to choose from. Besides their grilled cheese, they also have soups, salads and also serve breakfast.
I got the BLT + Chee– bacon, lettuce, diced tomatoes, melted cheddar cheese on white sour dough bread $ 6.45. I got a side of chips (Rachel’s Parmesan Garlic chips) $.99. If you want iced fountain water, they do charge an extra $.25 for the cup (which was fair). My whole bill with tip was for $ 9.23. My friend got the Creamy Tomato Basil coups $ 3.00 and the Crunchy Garlic Chicken– roasted chicken, grilled onion, diced tomato, sweet hot mustard, garlic seasoning, parmesan garlic chips (on your sandwich of course), pepper jack on wheat berry bread. $ 6.95.
I got my sandwich and loved the freshness of the bread and my only complaint was that they didn’t put enough cheese or bacon for me to taste the sandwich.
Everything was great from the service, the speediness of getting our meals, and the restaurant being clean.
I do want to try the grilled cheese donut! Especially the S’more!
If you do not want to order their specialty grilled cheese sandwiches on the menu, they do offer the build your own grilled cheese. They also have half sandwiches and gluten free.
This place was «okay». I wouldn’t say their sandwiches are spectacular and don’t get the hype. But I will come back and try another sandwich and perhaps update my review.

Tom+Chee
½ original & ½ bacon blue sandwich.
Tasty nothing extraordinary. Bright vibrant place with a cool concept.
Tomato soup fresh and full of flavor. If you like tomato soup. I guess I’m used to good old fashioned Campbell’s soup.
First contact with staff excellent! Asked if it was our first time here and educated us with menu.

A good place to grab a quick snack the sandwich was really good I got
The horseradish cheddar. Lettuce, tomatoes, horseradish sauce, pumpernickel bread, and cheddar very good wish I had more time to get some soup. The order did take a little long but maybe chase they new cooks in the back looked lost. But it wAs worth the wait. My wife got a doughnut grilled cheese very sweet but tasty might wanna have mine first then the doughnut as a dessert lol very good it’s like a build ur own grilled cheese sandwich shop we like choices and building our own masterpiece now a days so this is right up ur alley. Stop by and have a good lunch and a sweet treat too

Great food and value. I had the chunky tomato soup and turkey melt with cheddar, onion, mushroom and sweet and spicy mustard and it was the perfect lunch. Compared to other places where I’ve gotten similar meals, I’d pay double for what they charged (roughly $ 10). I also like the customization factor for their sandwiches as I left wanting to try a bunch of other things. Will definitely go back the next time I’m in cinci.

About what I expected from this place. Had looked it up a couple months ago when we planned our conference trip to Cincinnati. It did not disappoint. Granted, I only ate there once, but there wasn’t much that didn’t look good to eat on their menu.
I ordered the grilled Mac and chee. It was unique in that usually you don’t have noodles in a sandwich, but it was really good. And an added bonus was that the pop machine was one of those new digital coke fountains that has many options to choose from. Very modernized and cool. Good, quick service. I would go there again for sure.
Only final thing I would say, to keep it real, is that the bread on the sandwiches were loaded with butter, so eating the sandwich left the hands greasy with butter. I didn’t mind because I had napkins and I love greasy food, but just be warned. Grab some before you sit down to eat.
Update: Had to go back and try the original tomato soup as it’s the other half of the restaurant. Soup was good. Seemed like lots of «pieces» in the soup that took away from the straight up creamy aspect of it in my opinion. Not excellent on its own. I would recommend with a sandwich as it seems like the soup needs a buddy.

How can you have a grilled cheese without melted cheese?
I ordered the Grilled Mac and Cheese and it was a cold brick of Mac and Cheese. I had to dip it in my tomato soup to make it even a little appetizing. Tomato soup was pretty good.
I also split the Grilled Cheese Donut, which was a pretty tasty concept… if the cheese had been melted.
So disappointing. May try again, or at a different location. The staff and service at this location was friendly.

The staff at Tom+Chee was extremely nice and friendly. They were happy to answer any question I had on their unique menu.
I had the mac& cheese fancy sandwich and unfortunately it lacked flavor and was very greasy. The only good thing about the sandwich was the grilled bread. I didn’t finish it which is very rare for me.
The pepperoni pizza soup was a little heavy but didn’t lack flavor and was actually pretty good.
I may return some day to try other interesting items on the menu but today food did not win!

The service at this location is amazing!
Got there today by chance and finally tried their donut. The people there are so nice, was a pleasure ordering there.
The place is very new, clean and spacious.
As for the food, I am not a great fan, the sandwiches are pretty greasy and it is not my cup of tea.
I was happy to have tried the Shark Tank’s Cincinnati Hero: the fried donut with cheese, but that was probably my first and last :)
Veni, vidi, vici!

I really really REALLY liked Chee… Tom, not so much.
Looking back, I’m kicking myself for not trying a donut grilled cheese, but alas, the roast beef and cheddar double decker was incredible. The sandwich was grilled to perfection, the meat was tender and the cheese was gooey like Wisconsin cheese should be.
I got a dipper of tomato soup to dunk my sandwich in… and thought the tomato soup was simply awful. I was surprised to see it was like a salty ketchup… and that’s all. Not soupy at all and not like the creamy tomato soup mom always made.
I’d definitely go back though, just will be smarter in hanging out with Chee and kicking Tom to the curb.

I was born in Wisconsin and live in Minnesota, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that Tom+Chee is highly rated.
The service at Tom+Chee was ‘bend-​over-​backward’ friendly. When my attempts to order a ‘King’ (with banana peanut butter mascarpone and mozzarella on a donut) and Blue Blue (with blueberry compote, blue cheese and lemon mascarpone on a donut) were unsuccessful due to ingredient shortages they refunded the cost of one sandwich and invited me back.
I ordered two sandwiches: a grilled ARMAGOETTA with a goetta, cherry peppers, fried onions, mustard, and pepperjack on Sourdough; and a grilled bacon & blue cheese with Mozzarella on Sourdough rye. Both sandwiches were tasty — but the crispy, butter-​drench bread left we wondering why anyone would need to order more than one sandwich. Only open for lunch. You can order online.
Thinking about opening a Tom+Chee franchise in MN or WI so I can retire in toasty, cheesy riches.

When I order gourmet grill cheese from a food truck, I am inevitably left lovingly longing for a tasty grill cheese and tomato treat from Tom+Chee. My only reluctance to a perfect rating is my price sensitivity and the «fast food conditions/​sanitation» of the dining area.
Fortunately, this Cincinnati start-​up hit the big time and franchises are flocking throughout the US. One may be coming to a city near you. The concept is worthy, let’s just hope the quality and brand is not diluted by suburban outreach. Part of what made this Diner unforgettable was its urban roots, but mostly the cheesy state of euphoria found inside. Hint, Hint: Katy and Sugar Land are not Houston. I hope to bite into one of your sandwiches in Midtown soon. Warm memories of cheesy goodness fills my heart… and yes, I am salivating at the prospect.

I was a bity wary of Tom + Chee at first. After all, it was made of two foods I never pictured together. Donuts and grilled cheese sandwiches — one is clearly a dessert, the other one clearly a salty snack. My friend actually ended up ordering «The King» (bananas, PB, mascarpone, mozz, donut). Doesn’t sound appetizing to be honest but when it came, it looked so enticing. The melted cheese, the crispy glazed donut, the creamy peanut butter… as soon as I tasted it, wow. There was a strange mix of flavors but some of the sort that is indescribable. I still can’t describe it but it is definitely more sweet than it is salty. The PB and glaze of the donut overtakes the flavor of the cheese.
Such a strange treat but definitely worth trying! I like donuts, I like grilled cheese sandwiches… why not try them together? $ 5.45 for the best of both worlds. The portion is rather small for it’s price but it’s also very filling because of all the cheese and peanut butter. Definitely recommend trying — it was certainly one of the highlights of my foodie adventures during my trip to Cincinnati!

I absolutely love this place! Like to try something new each time I go there

I’m not a big fan of going downtown. Since we were already going downtown for a Reds games we decided to give Tom + Chee a try.
I am glad I read the menu online before going. The options are much more than one may think. The menu board could be a bit overwhelming when one first walks in. There are many original and inventive flavor combinations.
We decided to throw caution to the wind, and order all donut grilled cheeses. We split the sandwiches, allowing all to have a taste of the five different flavors we ordered. The blueberry one was my favorite. I enjoyed the tangy-​ness of the lemon with the sweet of the blueberries. My second favorite was the chocolate mint. I don’t think the donut grilled cheeses are enough to be a meal. They would probably work better as a dessert. I would be interested in trying one of the other, more substantial, sandwiches another time.

Been living in downtown for close to a year now and I finally made it to Tom + Chee’s with my sister.
I got the Armagetta and she got the Grilled Mac and Chee. I thought mine was delicious, the bread was crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. The cheese was melted perfectly and the hot peppers did the trick. She was not so impressed. The bread was a little too oily for her. When I asked her what she thought of the grilled chee she said «it tastes like Mac n cheese on Texas toast».
Huge redeeming factor was the Blueberry Blu grilled cheese donut. Sh*t is the ish!!! Definitely try it out.
Only downside for me was portion size for price. I would have liked a larger Sammie.
Great service and friendly staff too. Would definitely recommend.

So before I headed to Cincinnati for a little vacay, I decided to check out what were the local top eateries. And I found Tom+Chee. Tomatoes and Cheese? My two favorites things? Yes please!
I was definitely afraid that I hyped myself up for this because no one wants to be disappointed. Buttttttt… I wasn’t! I thought about going for the traditional grilled cheese but hell, I opted out for their Italian. Man oh man it was quite the deliciousness! My manfriend ordered their pepperoni grilled cheese and that was even MORE delicious! AND THEN. my manfriend’s brother ordered their grilled cheese donut (sounds gross)… but! That too was yummy! It pretty much taste like a grilled donut (which btw is amazing) since the cheese wasn’t overbearing. If I’m ever in this city again. I’ll be there!

Immediately after deciding to go to the horseshoe in Cincinnati, I began getting excited about going to Tom and Chee. Although I don’t particularly care for grilled cheese normally, I’ve seen this business on man vs food nation and shark tank. Two of my favorite shows.
We arrived at this location about 1pm on a Saturday. It was fully packed. The recommendations from the cashier were the «Tom and Chee» combo, three little pigs, and the Armagoetta. Between the 4 people in my group we ordered all of it.
I had the Man vs Food sandwich: Armagoetta. It’s a sandwich of hot peppers, Pepper Jack cheese, goetta sausage and fried onions topped with sweet hot mustard. My favorite part was actually the bread. I love rye and sourdough. This sandwich had both: one half was sourdough and one half was rye. Perfect. It was amazing. I had nothing with it and it was a full meal.
My wife had the Tom and Chee combo with a ½ traditional grilled cheese and a cup if creamy tomato soup. My wife lives for cheese, and she enjoyed both.
One of my friends had the three little pigs. It had bacon, ham, and pork rinds. Obviously it had cheese: Swiss and cheddar. He enjoyed it.
If you’re in Cincinnati, or anywhere that tom and chee has opened a franchise after being on shark tank, do yourself a favor and stop by.