Tom + Chee – Newport

The Freshness of this Tom + Chee location lacks a little eye appeal. Could be a little bit cleaner.
The soup is thick and rich with a pleasant taste. Mac & cheese is just good. Not great, not bad just good.
The blueberry blue is out of this world. Great texture. All The flavors mix very well and stand out on their own. It was an incredible sandwich that could be eaten on any occasion.

Killing time prior to a Reds game and stopped here for lunch on a recommendation. My wife vaguely remembers these guys from Shark Tank, and I want to say they seemed familiar from Man V Food Nation. Either way I had to try the grilled cheese donut. It was interesting for sure, and a must try; there’s no way I could beat the challenge of 13 in 10 minutes though. I also had a basic grilled cheese, and it was very good; not that you can really screw up a grilled cheese unless you burn it. Definitely give it a try if you can.

Totally fun food! Had the Barbara Blue, and The King, and the Strawberry Lemonade… my husband had the ham and cheese with a tiny tomato soup dipper. Best tomato soup ever! My husband THEN got an order of the bleu cheese chili ((we were being fatties there’s no place cool to eat where we live)) he says it was amazing!
I loved the donuts but the strawberry lemonade was not my favorite… it just lacked the wow factor.
Will definitely be going again!

This was my first time at Tom & Chee, actually Newport altogether. My mother wanted to go for Mother’s Day so off we went.
It was a cute concept and not very busy. A small line to the order station (I prefer table service) but we moved quickly. Oh so many choices so little time to decide. Well luckily I always research a menu before I go to get an idea of what I want. And I went with my original thoughts and ordered the original glazed donut grilled chz with cheddar and I added bbq potato chips. I also got a side Ignacio and he because the cashier said they make everything g in house and it was ok, nothing special, not too much taste. Wouldn’t order again it the grilled chz was amazing. My daughter is vegan so got the vegan spread with onions and peppers and ate it all up. Everyone like everything… Will def go back.

This is my travel review for Tom+Chee in Newport, KY
Entrée: Blueberry Blue Grilled Cheese Donut ($ 5.45) has blueberry compote, blue cheese, mozzarella, lemon mascarpone inside a donut sandwich. I thought the cheese would be similar to a grilled cheese (cheddar) sandwich. Nope. The cheese is a creamy blend of blue cheese and mozzarella that tastes like whip cream. The blueberry compote is thick and not too sweet. The donut? Well, it’s like a glazed donut that was cut in half to create a bun.
Summary: I have only one visit to this place, but I thought the donut was a unique change from typical «sin foods». I would have liked more blueberry compote and lower prices. With the donut and tax, you’re at almost $ 6. That’s pretty pricey for a donut.
Star rating: I took away 1 star for the lack of blueberry compote and 1 star for the price.

This was my first time at Tom + Chee and I was not disappointed! I had the original and the Choco Bacon Bliss. The original was so amazing. The sweetness of the donut is balanced by the cheddar cheese. The Choco bacon bliss was also very yummy. I shared it so I think that’s why it wasn’t too much. I don’t know if is be able to eat a whole one by myself.

You would think that a place that just sells tomato soup and grilled cheese would not be worth it, but you would be wrong. Everything here is delicious, because its all cheesy and fried and warm.
This is the ultimate in comfort food!
Everyone has seen the doughnut grilled cheese so I went another route and got the Ham and Cheese and it was magical. I had flashbacks to my grandma’s house in the 90’s and I’m not mad about it. The menu options somehow manage to make a simple dish into an array of tasty choices, or the offer the option to build your own sandwich from their list of ingredients. They even offer a cup of soup just big enough for dipping, and with red cream soda on the fountain and cartoons on the TV you can slip back into younger happier days.

When traveling to the Cincinnati area, I was hard pressed finding some cool or fun food native to the area to try. Then, along came Tom + Chee!
The cool item at Chee’s? Grilled cheese with donuts as the bread. Thy great grilled cheese donut!
It’s indulgent. It’s beastly. It’s fun. It’s 490 calories with 29g of fat.
I actually really enjoyed this franken-​sandwich finding it sweet and delicious. I love donuts… I love grilled cheeses… Just never thought to have the two together. How genius! My guy and I shared the «Classic» grilled cheese donut ($ 3.95). Eating an entire one of these on my own would have been a task as it’s so sugary so I was thankful my fetching fella was there to share with me. They have 8 grilled cheese donut flavors that all have dessert-​ish themes like S’mores, Choco Bacon Bliss and Blueberry Blue. I really wish they would offer some kind of grilled cheese donut flight so that I could have tried several of their fun options.
They also have ten flavors of regular grilled cheese sandwiches like Ham + Chee, Hot + Spicy, and Swiss + Shroom. Again, I would have loved to try many of these… Grilled cheese flights! Please!
Small fountain drinks are $ 1.65 and they have free refills.
The food at this location was 5 star worthy. Service and overall cleanliness here was sadly just 2 stars. Hovering somewhere between 3 – 4 stars, I rounded down because they need an option like grilled cheese donut flights so people can try more! I must say I love the concept and will forego my no-​carb eating every time I’m in town!

Gross! Went here for first time. Ordered grilled cheese and a cup of tomato soup. Grilled cheese had no flavor. They called this cup of tomato purée (soup???). Anyone that knows down home tomato soup has milk and butter with a dash of salt and pepper. This would of made a great salsa with onions, cilantro, and green pepper. This however was tasteless.
They also nickel and dime you on the toppings for your sandwich. I wanted to like this place, because it’s a homegrown business. Very disappointing!!!

Tried out the «classic» grill cheese donut and it was intriguing. I’m not a huge fan of grilled cheese in general, but the donut definitely made a nice little sweet twist to the classic sammich.
When we entered the place, we didn’t get acknowledged for a few minutes, and had to check trusty ol’ Unilocal to make sure the place or kitchen was closed. After confirmation from Unilocal,we were left standing in the front counter waiting for someone for a bit more. Finally an employee came and helped us. Overall, decent experience, nothing too crazy, hence A-​OK

This was my third visit to this location. The food was delicious however, I was disappointed in the condition of the restaurant and restroom was horrible. To be fair, we were there after the lunch rush but the grease and trash on the floor had been there for a while and the dirt in the bathroom was not from one day.

I ventured out for Tom + Chee with a friend during #Blizzard2016 while everyone stayed at home. Aside from one other family, we were the only ones in the restaurant on a Friday night! Because of this, the service was awesome. The men working made recommendations on their favorite sandwiches and the food came out in a quick amount of time (and fresh)! If every Tom + Chee experience could be like this one, I would never want to go anywhere else for my grilled cheese cravings.

Great for the kids, and we ADULTS liked it too!

So good. I had surprisingly great meal at this chain store restaurant. The quality of my meal was completely unexpected.
I really enjoyed the Armagoetta grilled cheese. I also split a S’more DONUT grilled cheese. The Armagoetta was so good with a nice mix of savory flavors and a little kick. A little heat. A little bite. This was my first introduction to Goetta. It was a very nice ingredient to build a sandwich around. The Goetta and cheese were complimented with the fried onions and peppers. I’m not a rye fan, but I didn’t mind anything in this grilled cheese. The S’more donut grilled cheese was ridiculous. It was just right for a nice dessert. The concept of a donut grilled cheese sandwich was so out of left field that I had to try one. I really enjoyed the marshmallow mascarpone as the center piece of this gem.
The store was reasonably clean and the service was a bit spotty. I’m not sure most of the staff would’ve preferred not to have been there when I visited IMHO.

Great concept and great food. A restaurant that consists of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup had better nail those two things, and it does. We didn’t have the opportunity to try the soup on this visit, but the grilled cheese? Bellisimo!
As this was our first visit, I felt like I had to get the namesake menu item, the Tom+Chee, which is diced tomato, garlic spread, Mozzarella and cheddar on a hardy white bread. The first several bites were amazing, but toward the end, the garlic spread was just a little too much, a little TOO flavorful.
We also got the BLT+Chee, which was a BLT grilled cheese. This one was my favorite! Somehow, they managed to keep the lettuce crunchy and cool amongst all the hot, cheesy goodness. It’s like magic.
Of course, we also had to try one of their grilled cheese donuts, so we got the s’mores grilled cheese donut. Gahhhh! So marshmallowy and chocolatey and good. One is plenty for two people, seriously — and this is coming from someone who doesn’t like to share desserts. It’s so rich that I don’t think I could have finished one by myself.

We visited for the first time for lunch. Our experience was not good. The line went from the register to the door. Being a Tuesday afternoon we thought we’d get the special for free kids meals. The kids meals are not free until after 4 p.m. We tired to clarify that with the one cashier that was taking care of the whole room. She just rang it up and we were charged for them both. Missing one I’d the adult meals. When we tried to clarify the order and get the other sandwich. Nycole told us to go to the back of the line. Really? We just waited in this entire line for us to get half an order. Rude. The food we did get was pretty tasty. We ended up sharing. The soup wasn’t good. I don’t think we will be visiting again. Way too long of a wait to get half a meal and rude service.

Food is always solid here. Definitely go for the Creamy Basil Tomato soup, no matter what sandwich you go with. Given four stars, only because it is definitely more pricy than it should be for the product received — price points for the menu really need to be reviewed.

This was my first ever Tom + Chee experience. They teamed up with Braxton Brewing Company to offer delivery via OrderUp to the brewery since they don’t serve food. Genius! They even have a special Braxton-​only menu that includes the Braxton Bomber. Bomber ingredients include but aren’t limited to: roasted chicken, potato chips, beer cheese (using Braxton beer!), beer braised onions (yep, Braxton beer again!), and unicorn tears. Serious deliciousness. If you forgot your phone at home they have an iPad kiosk in the brewery for ordering!
We also ordered the Hippy Chee and the Armagoetta. I loved the Hippy Chee because it was super fresh and wasn’t the least bit heavy like grilled cheese can be. The Armagoetta was absolutely amazing — spicy, goetta-​ey, and dreamy. I can’t help but think the food would have been even better fresh, but considering its trip it was still pretty freakin’ good! I would so do it again.

I like Tom+Chee. Well, I like that it exists and that it started here in Cincinnati, and I’d probably love the food if I were still in high school. But I’m not.
I’ve had a few grilled cheeses (mac n cheese, pesto) and always find them to be far too greasy. It may be butter, but either way, press your finger into the bread and you’ll see. The fillings are good, but I feel gross for putting the sandwich into my body and that ruins the experience. You’ll need napkins.
I think the donuts are the high point. They have some interesting creations, and you should at least split one with a friend. Both the banana and s’more are worthy.
Last note, kind of expensive for a basic sandwich.

Just had lunch here today with an old coworker and it was excellent. There is almost too many options to choose from, but I went with a turkey, cheese, bacon, and pickle toasted cheese sandwich. It reminds me of something similar to a Cuban sandwich you get to dip in tomato soup. Go with the creamy tomato bisque as it is to die for! So smooth and such good flavor. Go early if possible. By noon the place is packed and mostly with very young kids as this issue great place that both parents and kids can enjoy the menu. A must try on the levee!

Grilled Cheese chain —
Fails to impress on Service — serves up a decent grilled cheese crispy bread — but needs some refining in both service training and also in-​restaurant improvements.
I had the flying pig — which was a turkey grilled cheese with bacon — lacked seasoning — as it was just bland even with Bacon.
The Pesto turkey («sorry no turkey — we just have chicken today») — was bursting with flavor and is a definitely a good standby option for someone new to Tom & Chee.
We shared a dessert donut — which had marscapone and berries between a cut up donut that was grilled or toasted. This was good and should be tried — but for a fast casual place — a bit out of place in my mind.
issues for refinement:
1. ventilation/​ac on a hot humid Sept day during the peak of lunch hour was inadequate. The space is quite large — and I was just sweating — I’m not a sweater.
2. Flies — flies were all over the place — vicious — and un-​enjoyable for a meal esp whilst sweating.
3. Service: The server brushed the plates bin against my 2 year old’s head without any regard for her safety and without apology. Food/​water splattered onto me as she cleared away the table. She pointed at customers, got orders wrong and without meat when requested. This was not the only my own observation as I viewed as I waiting in line for the single stall bathrooms in this larger format restaurant. Because the restaurant concept is order/​sit down — the servers keep running around the place trying to find the right orders. They apparently don’t serve out the orders completely at one time. And I felt it took too long for the food to come out upon ordering. Tom + Chee is not quite there yet.

Had a regular cheese sandwich and it was worth it. Grilled to perfection. Very family oriented and the staff was very polite and courteous.

Grilled cheese and tomato soup: one of the greatest meals ever created. Tom+Chee: a place that does a semi good job of creating variations of one of the greatest meals ever created.
Came here before going to see Kevin Hart across the river in Cincy. Everything else was crowed or had long waits so we opted for something a little quicker. This was my second time visiting this location and only my second Tom+Chee experience.
They’ve changed the set up since the first time I came and not for the better. Instead of wrapping the line along the wall it runs smack through the middle of the restaurant which means, depending on where you are seated, people hovering over you while you’re eating.
Spent the entire wait debating on a sandwich before ordering the same exact sandwich I got the first time sans soup. Tried the creamy tomato the first time and I was beyond disappointed. My turkey pesto gc was just not as good as I remembered it. The turkey was not white meat nor was it seasoned and there was barely any pesto to be seen or tasted. I left leaving feeling pretty disappointed that I’d just paid $ 8 for a grilled cheese and a drink and I didn’t even fully enjoy it.
I will say the staff was super friendly considering how crazy and busy they were. Maybe next time I’ll just get the grilled cheese donut.

After visiting Tom + Chee today for lunch for the first time, I think the chain should be renamed Tom + Cheap, and I don’t mean that in a complimentary way.
Our food was mediocre, bordering on nasty. I ordered the Armagoetta, and being a goetta-​lover, I was expecting a treat. The sandwich was completely tasteless, except for the peppers. The goetta added a bit of a crunch, but it, like the cheese, was completely void of flavor. I also had the traditional tomato soup, which tasted metallic. Paul believes it came from a can, but I’ve had canned soup that didn’t taste THAT bad. Paul ordered a simple sandwich with American cheese and ham. Since we were trying to figure out whose food was worse, I took a bite of his. The first thing I tasted was grease, the next thing I tasted was nothing, and the last thing I tasted was a completely odd flavor seemingly coming from the cheese. It was so odd, that I cannot adequately describe it with words. All I know is that I wanted to brush my teeth and gargle with mouthwash, immediately!
Much like the food, the atmosphere, but for the friendly staff, left much to be desired. They have crammed as many tables into the place as humanly possible. That combined with the ill-​placed order counter, lack of music, addition of a TV silently broadcasting Cartoon Network, and what you have is a cafeteria-​like environment. I didn’t enjoy eating in a cafeteria in grade school or high school, and I mostly certainly don’t enjoy it now that I am advancing in age.
As I’ve already mentioned, the only thing this place has going for it is it’s friendly employees. Honestly, I don’t know how they manage to portray a good mood.
Two thumbs down for Tom + Chee. If I want grilled cheese and soup, I’ll make my own at home, saving my taste buds, my money, and my chi (not to be confused with Chee).

My experience here was very positive.
I was surprised that the menu was not just grilled cheese sandwiches and runny tomato soup. The interior and restrooms were all clean. My food was tasty but a bit on the greasy side. The staff was attentive in checking on our food and cleaning the dining area after we were finished. Though it was busy when my family and I ate there, the line kept moving in an efficient fashion. I would go back.

The Good: the concept, the interior, build your own.
The Bad: customer service, not much seasoning.
The Rundown: a good place to take kids and to try some different style Mac and cheese. There is nothing spectacular about their food but it tastes decent. I do like the kid like atmosphere having action figures and Lego sculptures placed around the place. For a place that is obviously geared toward kids they are surprisingly unfriendly. The African American lady with two piercings in her face did not smile and just asked who had what and set it down. Didn’t ask if we needed anything else, she just walked away. She later ran into me while I was sitting down and just kept walking.
The Impression: while I like the concept the food is surprisingly bland. This with the bad service I don’t think I would return unless I had been drinking and just wanted some grilled cheese.

NEW LOOK, SAME GREAT TOM+CHEE.
I had no idea T+C had a recent makeover, but it makes a world of a difference. The setup just makes more sense and allows for more table space, which is a plus for this hoppin’ location. You could also tell they must’ve gotten some new money recently (thanks, Barbara?) because they have fancy menu boards now and branded soda cups (the things I pay attention too…) Pretty cool to see the transformation, since I’m one of the lucky few who experienced T+C from the beginning when they were just a mere food booth at Fountain Square.
But, despite the fancy new printed (not chalk) menus and cups, it’s still the same great tasting grilled cheese. I’m one of those snobs who stands by the fact that a grilled cheese is a grilled cheese if it has only that: cheese. Everything else is considered a panini. So I stick to the basics every time I go: cheddar and gouda on sourdough. It’s plain, but it does the trick and satisfies my cravings. I recently tried the Green Goat salad, which I’d highly recommend (as I would anything that has goat cheese in it).
Even though the Court Street location is the original, I much prefer the Newport spot because of its cleanliness and outdoor seating. Plus, if you visit during lunch then parking in the Levee garage is free if you’re in and out between 11am and 2pm.
Needless to say, their motto, «Eat What’s Fun,» doesn’t lie.

Tom+Chee is solid good eats and fun. This is a great spot on the Levee to take kids/​family to. While the Levee has a decent mix of affordable and family-​friendly eateries (Dewey’s, Brothers, and Five Guys), T+C surprisingly has healthier options than FG (nice salad offerings!), and the outdoor seating during this beautiful warmer weather is awesome.
I took my daughter to T+C and she LOVED it. I had their roasted chicken salad, and it was huge, crunchy, tasty and filling (the chicken was quite dry, but still a nice option in the land of carbs and cheese!). My daughter had a grilled BLT with cheese and gobbled down the whole butter-​fried treat.
The service was quick and friendly even thought the eatery was very busy. T+C has other very fun offerings: soups for dipping, unique fillings like mac and cheese and chips, yummy-​sounding grilled sammich desserts — and of course, the legendary grilled cheese and doughnut sandwich.

Fried donut sandwiches. What could go wrong?
I’ve been to this location one other time when they first opened. Tonight I got the special Roast Beef and Cheddar. It came with creamy horseradish sauce and fried onions on rye bread. I don’t usually eat rye but decided to give it a try. My friend had the same thing but on white bread. We lived it! The sandwich was great! I would definitely recommend it. That with a soda was over $ 7 though which is a little steep.
I am curious about the donut sandwiches but have yet to try one. The one with chocolate and mascarpone is in my sights for next time, but I may have to spilt it. I’m sure it’s crazy in calories!
The staff were nice enough and the food came out really quick. The place was about ¼ full at 7 on Thursday. I wish they had some extra outlets though to charge my phone! :-P

I had doubts but became a fan of the Grilled Cheese Donut. I had a late lunch on a snowy Saturday and there were only four other customers.
The cashier was very nice and welcoming. He walked me through the menu since it was my first time.
The interior is what you’d expect from a casual dining establishment.