Family Moment at Tom + Chee
Have you heard of Tom + Chee? I didn’t. At least not until last Friday when my email box was graced with the latest edition of Eater Detroit. The newsletter had made the announcement of a new restaurant opening in the area. It sounded interesting so I decide to check out the website.
Tom + Chee is a play on words. Or, a play on foods. Tomato and cheese. Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwich. The classic family favorite. On my other site (which is being merged with Nevermore Lane,) I’ve discussed my childhood and how I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. I don’t have a lot of memories from those years. Most of the ones that come back are not good. However, there is a constant good memory. Grilled cheese sandwiches with my mom or grandma and dipping them in tomato soup.
Those time spent with my mother and the few moments I spent with my grandmother are a wonderful memory that I cherish and always plan to hold on to. Since kiddo came into my life, I have always tried to make sure the time she spends with me is full of memories like that.
So, when we realized we needed new Sunday plans due to the rain that was about to flood our lawn, I mentioned Tom + Chee. Kiddo was thrilled. Her eyes lit up and she got all excited. Mr. YUM , not the biggest fan of tomato soup and overly cheesy foods, was actually interested. I think a lot of that had to do with the fact this place has been featured on Man Vs. Food Nation. We are big fans of the Man Vs. Food franchise. They were also on Shark Tank.
We packed up a little bag to keep kiddo occupied and I brought my iPad so I could work on some proofreading projects I am working on. Hubs whisked us away for a 1.5 hour tour….
The drive wasn’t so bad. We made a pit stop at Starbucks after we had been on the road for a while. I introduced kiddo to their passion fruit and berry tea. She was so tickled when her drink came out with raspberries in it.
We landed at Tom + Chee around 1:30-2pm. Lunch crowd came and went, but then so did another round. And, another.
And another.
It’s not a big restaurant. Sort of close to fast food size. There was a long line. Normally, me and my anxiety don’t mesh well in situations like this and my PTSD rears its ugly head. I usually have to walk out of situations like this. But, I held my ground. I didn’t drive all this way to turn around and not have an amazing grilled cheese.
This isn’t my first rodeo in the grilled cheese department. I have been to the famous The Melt establishment in Ohio. I didn’t get the giant grilled cheese with the gazillion pounds of cheese, but I did get a really good sandwich. It’s one of those experiences that you have to take, however, I think it’s a heart attack waiting to happen! LOL
These grilled cheese’s aren’t oversize. They are fairly normal for restaurant portions. What makes them unique is all the different varieties.
But the grilled cheese and tomato soup varieties are not all Tom + Chee has or is known for.
Grilled cheese donut anyone?
Yeahhhhhh
Well, we didn’t eat one of those.
Mr. YUM ordered the build-your-own option. He had hardy white bread with mac & cheese, vinegar and oil chips and pesto.
Then he got what they call “a dipper” for $1 which is just enough tomato soup for him to dip. I’m not lying. I had a bite. I wasn’t a fan. But he sure enjoyed it.
Kiddo ordered the BLT + Chee with a cup of the traditional tomato soup. I didn’t taste test. Couldn’t. She ate every last bite! It looked pretty amazing.
I ordered a build-your-own as well. Mine was rye bread with Gouda cheese and bacon. It was soooo good. I also ordered a cup of the classic tomato soup. So thick and good.
We enjoyed our meal together. Telling stories. Talking to people sitting around us. My family sharing this moment.
I’d like to thank the General Manager, Rob, for coming over and taking time out of his busy day to chat with a small-town Michigan blogger like myself. Mr. YUM went over to tell him thanks and how he really enjoyed his establishment (cause that’s what we do when we go out somewhere we really like) and gave him one of my YUM cards. He wanted to meet me. It was opening weekend, people were everywhere, and we had a great discussion.
Smiles.
Laughter.
Let’s not forget the comic books! 😉
For the record, the dessert donut – Choco Bacon Bliss is probably the best thing ever invented…Bacon, chocolate mascarpone, real bacon pieces and a grilled donut (which they slice in half like a bagel.) Thanks to Rob for that, too.
After our meal we headed to downtown Northville. What a gorgeous downtown. I have a huge fascination for downtown areas. The best part about this one? Fairy houses everywhere. Kiddo and I spent the afternoon visiting the fairies. It was SO MUCH fun. If you are not a fan of Nevermore Lane, please consider it. I’ll be posting the fairy story over there.
Nothing like some good memories and good food.
If you have a Tom + Chee in your area and haven’t stopped in, you owe it to yourself to check it out.
I wish we had one around here. I want to build my own grilled cheese. NOM!
I haven’t heard of Tom Chee before, but main that food looks amazing! I need to see how far one is from us.
Those sandwiches look amazing! I love a good melt like that. Yum!
Everything looks so delicious. I wish we had one. Hopefully eventually they will branch out to other areas. This seems like it would be really good in the winter.
Yes and hopefully Boston will be their first stop! I want to eat here BAD.
I can’t believe you guys don’t have one up that way.
I have GOT to see if we have a Tom + Chee nearby. That food looks amazing!
The food looks delicious. I love grilled cheese, too. It’s what I always have when I’m home alone and didn’t feel like cooking.
Those sandwiches look amazing. I’ll have to see if we have a Tom + Chee near us.
Wow, look at that food! How amazing it all looks so delicious. I haven’t ever heard of Tom+Chee before, I know for sure we don’t have one here in Toronto. Of course, we miss out on so many amazing places like this! Looks fabulous!
But Toronto has so many amazing places that we don’t have here! My next trip to Canada I must visit Toronto!
What a great idea! I wish we had one of these here! I love pickles, spinach, and tomatoes in my grilled cheese!
How have I never heard of this restaurant? It sounds amazing!
We need this in New England!! I LOVE grilled cheese. This looks so good!! Soup and grilled cheese were my go to foods as a kid when I was feeling blah.
Those sandwiches look amazing. I’d definitely want to check out this little restaurant. The BLT + Chee looks so good.
This sounds like an amazing place, nothing better than grilled cheese and tomato soup! I would love to visit this place myself.
My husband and brother in law actually looked into bring a Tom + Chee franchise here to Las Vegas. They went in a different direction but we are all still anxious to try their food!
I have only been once but I LOVE Tom + Chee! I am so glad they recently opened one a littler closer to home I can’t wait to take my husband there!
Wow I have not heard of this place before but it looks and sounds super yummy!! I’ll have to try them out!
That’s interesting! It’s like a Chuck E. Cheese with sandwiches. I love a good grilled cheese sandwich myself, so I would probably love this place! Too bad Detroit isn’t closer to me!
Wow.. sounds like a fun new place to try. We don’t have any around here but I will have to check out the website to see if any are planned and check it out.
It looks delicious! Now my mouth is watering.
These look really good! It also looks like you had a good time too.
This looks so good. I haven’t heard of this brand. I love finding unique places like this.
Oh I want that. Need one of these places here.
This sounds like my type of restaurant. I love love love grilled cheeses.
This is such a genius creation for us in the Midwest since the weather is often gloomy. Nothing beats grilled cheese and tomato soup!
That’s pretty neat that they were featured on Man Vs Food and Shark Tank! Who doesn’t love a good grilled cheese with soup right? I would like to check this place out!
This sounds like an awesome place to eat indeed for the family. The grilled cheese with the bacon is what I would get along with the Choco Bacon Bliss which looks so good. Thanks for sharing,
That restaurant seems fun! I loved seeing them on Shark Tank and I hope they expand out to my area soon!
That is why I am glad this one is 1.5hrs away. It could be dangerous for me.
I love grilled cheese and tomato soup! I wish they had this near us. I would go everyday lol.
I just finished breakfast….but now I’m starving for lunch! This place looks great!!!
I’m getting hungry just thinking about the experience all over again.
Yum! Their food looks so good! I remember having grilled cheese and tomato soup when I was a kid, too! My mom’s specialty.
Oh wow! That looks really yummy! I’ll take grilled cheese and tomato soup every day! I need to check out this place!
The BLT looks delicious. We don’t have Tom and Chee here but the foodthey serve would be a hit for my husband and son.
The grilled cheese experience you talked about has me curious. I’d love to visit a place that featured my beloved GC. 🙂
Rosey, you would love it.
Okay I would die to eat there! That food looks incredible.
Tracey if you ever travel across the boarder into MI, I’ll meet you there!
This looks like a super yummy restaurant!! The build your own grilled cheese?? Yes please!!
Oh my Gosh I truly love those sandwiches!!! It seems to melt with cheese and looks really delicious and fresh.
I’m glad you held your ground & stayed. It sounds like you had a great meal! I am a huge fan of grilled cheese sandwiches so I know I’d love it too.
Omg did I really just see build your own grilled cheese?!?! This sounds like It would be my hubby’s dream restaurant! Wish it was a tad bit closer
Now that sounds like a restaurant I would love! Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup is one of my favorite food combos!
I hate that there isn’t one of these around here! I loved elevated grilled cheese and I know I would greatly enjoy eating at Tom+Chee.
I am so sad that there is no location near me. This would instantly be one of my favorite food spots.
A whole place dedicated to the loved of grilled cheese? I’m totally there! And I love the name
I think I’ve seen this on shark tank. I love grilled cheeses!!
These sandwiches look so delicious. I would love to try them. I will have to see if we have a Tom + Chee near me. I love grilled cheese sandwiches.
We don’t have one, but I wish we did! Love all the varieties of grilled cheese. I’d even try the donut one!
Never heard of that place. Wish I had one around us though. Thank you for sharing.
A grilled cheese with MAC and Cheese whew I bet that was a site to see. There are so many great grilled cheese recipes out there I best this place was heaven.
I love mac & cheese. I took a bite. I was not a fan. LOL
I’d like to build my own grilled cheese. I’d ask for mozzarella cheese on mine!
I would love to build my own grilled cheese! That is such a creative spin on a restaurant’s menu.
It was pretty awesome. I can’t wait to go back and try something else.
That place looks like trouble. I love a good grilled cheese and they have so many choices!
I’m glad it brought back a good memory for you! xoxo
This is the first time I have heard about this Tom+Chee Restaurant. These foods looks so yummy and delicious. i just love that yummy grilled cheese donut with tomato sauce. Will definitely have to try them out.
One of my favorite, most simple, meals.
I’ve never been to one of these restaurants before but they sound great! My son loves anything with cheese so this would be a hit!
Cheese makes everything better!
My husband’s favorite sandwich is a grilled cheese! And, I recently heard we are getting one in our area soon, so I can’t wait for us to try Tom+Chee’s!
YAH!! I hope you’ll let us know how you like it when it opens.
I want a BLT and chee now. That looks amazing. Restaurants like this are what I miss about living in the city.
And that is why I am hoping to move back to the city very soon. I have been living rural for 8 years now and I am beyond my fill point.
We don’t one near us but I wish we did. Hoping they come here soon because my family would love this!