BY SARAH AMUNDSEN
Being from Wisconsin, I am all about anything that involves cheese, including a classic grilled cheese sandwich reminiscent of childhood. When I found out that Lakeview has a grown-up grilled cheese restaurant, I couldn’t visit soon enough. Even though the menu is limited, it offers comfort food that satisfies — even during the hot summer months. Cheesie’s is reminiscent of a casual sports bar, with chalkboard tables and televisions throughout to keep you entertained while waiting for your classic grilled cheese. 
Let’s talk appetizers. If you want to share one between friends, start with cheese curds. Since you’re already indulging, why not really embrace it? It is hard to find restaurants in Illinois that serve cheese curds as an appetizer, so I appreciated Cheesie’s for catering to my love of Wisconsin food.
Now on to the best part: the grilled cheese sandwiches. Cheesie’s offers a selection of sandwiches stuffed with ingredients like jalepeno slices, barbecue sauce, chicken tenders and tater tots. For the purist who wants to get a little wild, “The Mac” has American cheese, cheddar cheese and homemade macaroni and cheese stuffed between two slices of Texas toast. The Mac is oozing with cheese, which is all I could ever want from a sandwich. “The Popper” also caught my eye, made with cream cheese, cheddar cheese and jalapeno slices.
In addition to offering non-traditional sandwich ingredients, Cheesie’s has dipping sauces that you won’t find anywhre else: think spicy chipotle mayo, creamy pesto mayo, ranch, barbeque sauce and sour cream. I have never tried a grilled cheese with a dipping sauce before but these sauces elevate these sandwiches from the standard “kid food” most of us imagine when we picture grilled cheese.
If you aren’t the adventurous type with food but want a late night fix (Cheese’s has a full bar and stays open until 5:00 a.m. on weekends!), opt for a classic grilled cheese with homemade soup…and ask for the tater tots on the side.
Cheesie’s Pub & Grub, 958 West Belmont Avenue. For more information, call 773-388-1574, or visit Cheesie’s Pub & Grub at cheesieschicago.com, on Facebook or Twitter.
Sarah Amundsen is a senior at Loyola University Chicago, where she is pursuing studiesin in public relations and marketing. In her spare time, she is interested in running, fashion and eating her way through Chicago’s many great restaurants.
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