Cravings Tom+Chee

You might think you have this place all figured out before you step in the door. Fast, casual, grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. Why didn’t I think of that and make my first million?

Well, two guys from Ohio and their wives did. They scraped together every cent they had and bought grill equipment to open up a specialty grilled cheese stand outside an ice skating rink. It was so hugely popular that they decided to take their idea on the hit television show Shark Tank to get extra financing. Entrepreneurial guru Barbara Corcoran saw the potential and the rest is history. Now Tom + Chee has franchised and is rapidly expanding nationwide. The Kansas City area is privileged to be one of the first major markets.

Locally led by district manager Deric Armstrong, their first area location is in Olathe at 119th and Blackbob. Amidst a sea of retail shopping and other dining options, Tom + Chee really stands out. Armstrong says what he likes most about Tom + Chee is that first-time guests don’t know what they’re getting when they walk in the door. “When you go to a hamburger place, you know what to expect. Our guests are blown away by the number of options and that everything here is made fresh, in-house. From the salad dressings to the soups, nothing is pre-packaged other than the chips here.”

If you’re searching for family-friendly fare and have picky eaters in your midst, Tom + Chee has a little something for everyone. A little concerned that I might not be able to find a healthy option here, I was pleasantly surprised at the generously sized salad with heirloom tomatoes, house made white balsamic vinaigrette dressing and the signature grilled cheese croutons on top. Their creamy tomato basil soup was the perfect side item.

My husband equally enjoyed the man-sized Armagoetta sandwich. Made with two different kinds of bread (white sourdough and pumpernickel/rye), it contains Goetta specialty sausage (a German-American sausage concoction popular in the Ohio area), grilled cherry peppers, French fried onions and house made sweet hot mustard.

My son was impressed that they have a sandwich here with chips on the sandwich, just like we used to do as kids. The Barbecue Bacon Sandwich has the perfect amount of crunch. This is truly food for the kid at heart and makes eating fun. And it’s a good value for kids, who eat for $3.99 all day, every day.

Also to my liking was the Pesto Turkey sandwich. The fresh pesto really popped and was an excellent complement to the chilled gazpacho soup that is a daily item during the warm weather months. If you’re not a gazpacho fan, they also have a classic tomato soup, creamy tomato basil soup or their chunky tomato soup, which has nothing but tomatoes in it, not even stock, for the purists dining with you.

For those with gluten-free needs, they do have gluten free bread and Tom + Chee grills their gluten-free sandwiches on a separate grill to avoid cross-contamination.

You really must save room for a dessert to share with your dining companions. Some of the options sound quite unusual, but they’ve all been perfected. The grilled cheese donut is what really put this place on the map, and you’ve got to try it. It’s an inside-out donut placed on the grill with your choice of cheese, warmed to perfection with lots of great complementary and contrasting toppings. Kids are sure to love the S’mores version, and adults will like the slightly more adventurous Strawberry Lemonade or Mint Summer’s Night varieties. At first I was a little scared of a grilled strawberry lemonade cheese donut but I have to admit it was really good, with a touch of sweetness with house-candied lemon and strawberry slices, reminiscent of a strawberry shortcake.

Tom + Chee is where the kid in you decides what to eat for lunch or dinner. It’s a fun spot to dine out with the family, get some foodie insight on your first or second date with someone new, or take the grandkids. There is really something here for every generation.

If you don’t live in Olathe, don’t worry. Plans are under way for five more locations in the greater metro.

Walk in, order at the counter, take a seat, and be prepared for your taste buds and eyes to be surprised when they bring the food to your table. Fast and casual doesn’t have to mean bad quality. I guarantee you’ll be pleasantly awakened to the fact that your dollar can be stretched for creative dining out with the family that is not only tasty but also fun. HLM

Preview the menu online before you go at tomandchee.com. Friend Tom+Chee Olathe on Facebook for daily specials and updates.