Grilled Cheese Dreams

Five months ago, Chicagoan Chris Johnston created "Chicago's first grilled cheese restaurant": Cheesie's Pub & Grub. Located just at the foot of the Belmont El-stop at Belmont and Sheffield, Cheesie's offers some of the city's most innovative concoctions-- all in the name of grilled cheese. Hours extending into early morning combined with an entire menu priced at $5.95 makes this place a great new option for those seeking a filling and cheap late night meal (it's open Monday through Wednesday 11am-11pm, Thursday 11am-3am, Friday and Saturday 11am-5am).

Surprisingly, the restaurant's best seller is also their least adventurous option: The Mac is a compilation of American and Merkt's Cheddar cheeses, and homemade macaroni and cheese between two thick, buttery slices of Texas Toast.

The Melt, however, comes most recommended by tasters and staff. The sandwich is layered with American, Chihuahua, and Cheddar cheeses, marinated chicken breast, bacon, 1000 Island sauce and tomatoes atop Texas Toast and served with a side of creamy pesto mayo sauce for dipping.

The following is a list of the ingredients found on any number of the restaurant's "delicious interpretations of the classic grilled cheese sandwich."

The Cheeses: American, Merkt's Cheddar, Cheddar, Chihuahua, cream cheese, and mozzarella.

The Meats: bacon, ham, chorizo and marinated chicken breast.

The Toppings: tomatoes, Jalapeno slices, extra virgin olive oil, cracked black pepper, fresh basil, 1000 Island sauce, pickled Jalapeno peppers, homemade mac and cheese, thick cut fries, and chives.

The Dipping Sauces: creamy pesto mayo, tomato soup, and spicy chipotle mayo.

If you have the appetite of an animal and somehow have room for more than a hearty grilled cheese, each of which consists of anywhere between three and seven of the above ingredients on either Texas Toast or sour dough bread, Cheesie's also has a few sides. These include the familiar: 5-cheese macaroni and cheese, Mom's potato salad, French fries, and sweet potato fries, as well as the less familiar: fried pickles and cheese curds. Soup and chili are also available in a cup ($3.75) or bowl ($4.99).

To boot, in the rear of the restaurant sits a full-service bar at which all alcoholic drinks (including microbrews) are only $4. But you may want to opt for a 75-cent CapriSun instead.

It seems this is one of those places people either love or hate, varying greatly person to person. Google Reviews have given Cheesie's a generous four and a half stars, though Yelp awards only three and a half. Many of the lower ratings seem to come from the evening crowd confined to the small space. Apparently cheese-colored walls lined with paintings of humorous takes on Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam and C.M. Coolidge's Dogs Playing Poker will get to some people. On the other hand, most patrons rave at the quality, size, and taste of the seven greasy sandwich options.

If you're not into crowds yourself, the restaurant also serves a broad delivery zone reaching south from Irving Park Rd. to Chicago Ave. and east of California Ave. to Lake Shore Drive everyday from 11am until 10pm (online ordering available).

Ch-ch-check it out.

Cheesie's Pub & Grub: 958 W. Belmont Ave., (773) 388-1574, cheesieschicago.com