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    Papi Queso

    4.5 (329 reviews)
    Open • 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Order Papi Queso Takeout or Delivery

    Papi Queso Photos

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    PAPI QUESO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Papi Queso

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    Bart C.

    I had a grilled cheese brisket fajita veggies sandwich. It was delicious and filling. Great flavors.

    Missy M.

    Service was fantastic. It was our first time here and the gentleman taking the orders was so good and explained everything. It's very hard to find seating to eat at Optimist Hall on the weekend but Papi Queso has a small bar area to eat, which made it invaluable. We ordered the Pig Mac Melt and while it tasted good, I will say I didn't taste the Mac all that much. However, the bread, cheese & pulled pork was cooked perfectly and we will definitely come back to try more items on the menu.

    Spaghetti Melt
    Tiffany T.

    Carbs on carbs? You've got my attention. I tried the Spaghetti melt grilled cheese with a side of tomato soup. I was really glad I go the tomato soup to dip the sandwich. The sandwich itself is good, but it's really rich as you can imagine, so after a few bites I was craving a hit of acid or something different. Halfway through the sandwich I was pretty full, but I ended up finishing it. The service was very friendly too, and the food was well packaged, as we were taking it to the brewery downstairs. Papi Queso was a great stop for some relaxed, unhealthy comfort food.

    Outside
    Ally F.

    Aesthetic: Relaxed grilled cheese outpost in Optimist Hall. My favorite: Little cheesy and tomato soup. Experience: I always end up at my favorite sushi in Optimist, but when I'm craving comfort food, I love Papi Queso's lil cheesy and tomato soup. The lil cheesy is a simple, classic grilled cheese with basil, and the tomato soup is creamy and delicious. I recommend it if you're looking for a comfort meal at Optimist.

    Jalapeño Bacon
    Gregory B.

    Went back for a second visit and had the buffalo chicken grilled cheese. This one was much better, and had way more filling between the bread. Dipping in the ranch is a must, highly recommend!

    Texas Cheese Steak
    Denawa A.

    Not a typical grilled cheese. I wanted to try something familiar yet not. Had the Texas Grilled Cheese, which really reminded my of a steak and cheese but on the crispiest butter bread. I also tried their s'mores grilled Nutella grilled cheese and it was AMAZING. There were bits of hazelnut and the marshmallow ratio was perfect. There was a little bit of a wait but the staff was very kind and speedy once orders were ready. I will definitely be back

    Tori H.

    It was Friday so you know had to stop and get a Frosé! It was strawberry peach flavored with some kind of wine in the mix, and it was absolutely delicious. We got the smallest size but that was more than enough. It was refreshing and packed a little punch. All the staff interacted with us, it was good vibes all around. Definitely recommend.

    Texas Cheesesteak
    MK W.

    Ordering was easy. Lots of choices. The sauces options are great and I highly recommend trying a few. We ordered the cheesesteak and the bacon with pepper jelly and while both were good, the bacon with pepper jelly was the clear winner.

    Spaghetti Melt
    Erica Y.

    Spaghetti plus grilled cheese? Sign me up! I wanted something Italian for dinner tonight, so the spaghetti in the grilled cheese really did the trick. I ordered ahead online and it was a super quick and easy process. The staff was really nice and packaged extra utensils and napkins. Perfect meal to eat outside where the weather was warm and sunny! Did not want to share this meal

    Grilled mac and cheese
    Jennifer L.

    I'd say 3.5 stars here. Staff were really great. Not just average order takers. They engaged in conversation. My friend got their monthly special which had shrimp in it and he said it was really good. I got the grilled mac and cheese sandwich with fries. Fries were great. Sandwich was a little lacking. And weirdly enough, what it was lacking was actual cheese flavor. Its a cute location in Optimist Food Hall. I would definitely not try the mac and cheese sandwich again but the staff said their monthly specials are always very popular.

    Mo S.

    Stopped inside Optimist Hall for lunch. I love grilled cheese so decided to give them a try. We had the pig mac, which was pulled pork and the Texas cheesestesk, brisket grilled cheese with tomato soup. Perfect meal on a cold day. The lady that took our order was helpful when we had questions. She kept track of the many orders that were flowing through and when mine came up she remembered what was mine and alerted me that it was ready. There seemed to be a great flow of dine in verses to go orders. It was orderly and clean. Great customer service. The grilled cheeses did not disappoint. The Texas cheesteak brisket was my favorite but the pig mac was good too. The bread was toasted with a perfect crisp and the sandwiches were very cheesy. The soup was good and light, not overly tomatoey, but it was a tad bit too thin and soupy. I like my soup slightly thicker. The taste was good tho. I also tried the frose, which was a frozen Rose' drink. It was really good. good. I can't wait to go back and try the other unique grilled cheeses.

    Little Cheesy from Papi Queso at Optimist Hall, Charlotte
    Bruce K.

    No more chasing after the food truck, Papi Queso and their amazing grilled cheese have landed at Optimist Hall. After walking the circuit and checking out to see if there was anything else we would regret missing, we circled back to the neon moustache and ordered the classic "Little Cheesy." A few minutes later, the pager buzzed and I picked up half of our dinner. A perfectly toasted grilled sandwich. Inside, American cheese, provolone and cheddar all combined for a rich tangy cheese deliciousness. This is grilled cheese for grown ups! Of course, they have tomato soup and fries and sandwiches that also include brisket or pulled pork or buffalo chicken. But for our first go with Papi Queso, we stuck with the classic and it was the right choice. Delish! [Round number 23100 overall - review 2081 of 2024 - 3763 in North Carolina]

    Ashley C.

    Love that it is in a food hall! This little restaurant had a few seats in front at the bar. The staff were very welcoming and friendly. Thankfully we put our orders in before the rush came. But the food was superb. I got the spaghetti grilled cheese and it was so nostalgic. It was hearty, the flavors were on point, and it wasn't rushed to be cooked

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - Papi Queso

    Does anyone know where they will be located Wednesday?

    Their twitter account says they'll be at 2940 commonwealth ave from 6-8pm. Check out their twitter. It's the most up to date. Hope this helps!

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    Culinary Dropout

    Culinary Dropout

    4.1(422 reviews)
    1.7 mi•South End, Dilworth
    •$$
    Full bar
    Happy hour specials

    We were close to uptown and looking for an early evening dinner spot. Knowing that CD is going to…read morebe opening a location at the Bowl in Ballantyne (which is closer to us) we thought we'd give it a shot. Walked in and immediately loved the vibe. Big, open and airy. Lots of seating and a few party rooms too. Loved the outdoor seating too. If it had been a little cooler that would have been perfect. They have cornhole and ping pong and just a fun atmosphere out there. Our server was warm and attentive. We did not have to wait for refills and she was quick to answer any questions we had. We started with a few apps - the chips and onion dip and the pigs in a blanket. The chips were well salted and the onion dip was DELISH!!! The pigs were wrapped in homemade party dough and came with a honey mustard crème fraiche. They were so good!! For entrees we tried the fried chicken, prime rib dip, and the meatloaf. The chicken was crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and perfectly seasoned. The mashed potatoes were so good too. The only misstep on this dish was the biscuit. Way too dense and not very flavorful. The prime rib dip was tender and came on the most crispy bread. What a great combo! The only thing that wasn't great were the fries, just nothing too special. The meatloaf dish was flavorful and came with those yummy mashed potatoes so great pairing. We didn't have room for dresser on site but we did take the monkey bread to go and enjoyed it later. Good portion size and full of apple and caramel flavor. Did not regret taking that home!! Really looking forward to this spot opening closer to home. Highly recommended

    Quite a disappointment. We arrived and were told we would have a 30 minute wait for a table but we…read morecould sit at the bar while on the list. There was lots of confusion at the hostess desk and I even had to ask if they needed our contact information. We checked our name on the list thirty minutes in and we were next in line. At forty minutes I checked again and the group that had been listed after us was now ahead of us and we were second in line. They needed a table for three and we were a table for two. I went and asked what was happening and the staff was dismissive and had no ability to discuss the situation. We saw multiple issues with food orders around us as well as incorrect billing which was concerning. This doesn't seem like an establishment ready to handle the volume of patrons it's built for. Some staff were great while others were far from professional or customer focused. Not a place I will return to.

    Photos
    Culinary Dropout
    Culinary Dropout
    Culinary Dropout

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    Burtons Grill & Bar - Maxx Burger: allen brothers angus beef, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion strings, american cheese, special sauce, brioche bun, french fries

    Burtons Grill & Bar

    4.4(747 reviews)
    4.3 mi
    •$$
    Gluten-free friendly
    Large group friendly

    We were about 30 minutes late due to the traffic on 77. A hostess greeted us upon entry and we…read morejoined the rest of our party. The restaurant was very clean and the noise volume low enough to where we could visit and comfortably carry on conversations. Our waiter was gracious and helped us to catch up with the rest of our party. We ordered a bottle of Pinot Nior and Dinner while the rest of our party finished their appetizers and salads. I ordered the steak frites and it was just wonderful! My boyfriend ordered the special which was halibut, asparagus, and mushroom risotto. Everything was perfect! The couple that was seated across from us split the special. The kitchen didn't hesitate to split this dish for them in the kitchen before bringing it out to our table. This is just excellent customer service! They are an elderly couple and could not possibly have eaten the entire meal by themselves. Our waiter was very attentive and nobody at the table ever had an empty glass. Also, your plate was cleared the moment that you finished with your meal. This was our first visit, but definitely not the last. Thank you for making our evening out with family and friends so very special. We will definitely be back in the near future.

    $29 Lobster roll special. We asked if fresh and told "yes". Guess it was at one time but I doubt…read morelobster was cooked that day and meat removed. We had one each- mine was with butter. The other, lettuce (never have seen that in a Maine lobster roll) and aioli). The one with butter had a nice brioche roll but most of the lobster was small claw ends vs nice chunks. The one on lettuce was better, more larger pieces of lobster, but meat was put onto a lot of lettuce to prop it up. It takes some effort, but buying a live lobster and cooking oneself is really the best way. I was hopeful- but ultimately disappointed.

    Photos
    Burtons Grill & Bar - Bag of Donuts (Brunch Menu)

    Bag of Donuts (Brunch Menu)

    Burtons Grill & Bar - Crab Crusted Haddock: crab cake stuffing, lemon butter sauce, herbed jasmine rice, seasonal vegetable

    Crab Crusted Haddock: crab cake stuffing, lemon butter sauce, herbed jasmine rice, seasonal vegetable

    Burtons Grill & Bar - Bread Service

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    Bread Service

    The Crunkleton - Thanks for our special cake "beignets"

    The Crunkleton

    4.5(537 reviews)
    1.5 mi•Elizabeth
    •$$$

    Celebrating my 55th birthday with a brunch at Crunkleton. This was my first visit, but will…read moredefinitely not be my last. First and foremost, our waiter, Alan was the best! I'm talking top tier, Veuve Clicquot Brut service...with a little spice...Best! He was so accommodating and keep us laughing the entire time. He went out of his way to make my day special! We started with beignets, oysters on the half shell and cocktails. Espresso Martinis, a Dirty Martini, and a specialty cocktail made to order. It may sound like a weird combination, but it all paired well together. I was in the mood for beef. So, I ordered the Wagyu Brunch Burger- 1/2 lb Wagyu, Over-Easy Egg, Grilled Bacon, Cheddar Cheese, Hollandaise, Avocado Spread, Brioche Bun, Garlic and Herb Fries. The fam had the Veggie Ranchero omelet- Seasonal Beans, Grilled Corn, Pico de Gallo, Poblano, Cheddar, Avocado, Tortilla Strips, Ranchero, Chipotle-Lime Crema, and a Hashbrown Casserole. Fingerling Breakfast potatoes, with a side of bacon and eggs, and another Hashbrown Casserole. Everything was cooked to perfection. I had such a great time and can't wait to return. I even made a recommendation to a friend who dined there Labor Day weekend and enjoyed her experience. I'll be back soon for sure!

    I heard great things about food, ambiance and service. Greeted by a small team at the door…read moreimmediately. Next we experienced top tier service from Tay. He recommended the chargrilled oysters as well as the crab cakes which did not disappoint. I prefer handcrafted cocktails and this is exactly what you're going to experience at Crunkleton. Not only did I inhale my blackberry gin based drink but I was extremely pleased with the birthday beignets. If that's not enough, we devoured a third of our tomahawk steak, the strawberry salad and my favorite item of the night were the mixed vegetables that accompanied the steak. Yassss! I loved the veggies. Looking for foodie vibes, grab your friends and enjoy a night at the Crunkleton. Pro-Tip: parking is validated; arrive early to avoid crowds

    Photos
    The Crunkleton - The Crunkleton: Charlotte, NC (Elizabeth)

    The Crunkleton: Charlotte, NC (Elizabeth)

    The Crunkleton - Caesar Salad

    Caesar Salad

    The Crunkleton - Here's an example of their vintage offerings.  This old dusty was distilled in 1960.  Great pour!

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    Here's an example of their vintage offerings. This old dusty was distilled in 1960. Great pour!

    300 East - Fried Chicken and Biscuit, so tasty for a brunchie bite. Super tender and moist, seasoned chix breast.

    300 East

    4.1(1.1k reviews)
    2.2 mi•South End, Dilworth
    •$$

    Enjoyed my brunch at 300 East. It was a relaxing environment and the service was friendly and…read morethorough. I had my food and a cocktail and wrote in my journal. I ordered: Rustic Benedict Poached Eggs*, Pancetta, Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Arugula, Herb Hollandaise, Grilled Sourdough 16.5 The Rum One Rum, Orange Bitters, Sour, Pineapple 14

    For those who don't know, 300 East is something of a Charlotte institution; I've been there…read morecountless times over the years I've lived here but not recently. They have always had, in my estimation, the best French onion soup around and I was craving it, so off I went. The restaurant off East Boulevard is an eclectic sort of place, and in my memory the interior hasn't ever changed. The wood is dark, the tables a bit worn and packed together to give a slightly claustrophobic feel, and the decor is always vaguely counterculture. For people who like NoDa and Plaza Midwood (before its recent transformation), it's homey as can be. I enjoyed the familiarity of its unpretentious surroundings as I took a seat in a tiny corner booth. Delighted to note that the French onion soup is as delicious as ever, with a richly flavored broth and a generous amount of bread and cheese baked in. While the quality hasn't diminished, thank heavens, the size has gone from a bowl to a cup. As it was my upcharged side I didn't mind terribly but still. Alas. Kudos to the kitchen for letting me have my soup before my sandwich was delivered, but here is where things went a little south. I had ordered The Usual, one of their trademark dishes, a hot open-faced chicken salad sandwich on a baguette topped with asparagus, mushrooms and cheese. It too has been the victim of shrinkflation, about 2/3 as big as once it was. Again, didn't mind terribly much but the toppings themselves were scant: three small strips of jarred or canned asparagus, four slices of mushroom. Okay, everything is expensive these days, but the edges of the sandwich were burned and the filling was cool, meaning the salamander setting was off and no one checked it before sending it out or putting it down. I might have considered sending it back but that's when my server disappeared. My water glass sat empty for half my meal and was never refilled. Even paying the check was sluggish. So I give the current state 300 East a solid three with a disappointed sigh because they seem to be phoning it in. Really great French onion soup, though.

    Photos
    300 East - Inside

    Inside

    300 East - Crab Cake

    Crab Cake

    300 East - Inside

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    Inside

    Postino Ballantyne

    Postino Ballantyne

    4.2(239 reviews)
    12.1 mi•Ballantyne
    •$$
    Happy hour specials
    Catering service

    Yuminess: 10/10 Allergy Safety: 10/10…read morePrice: 9/10 Atmosphere: 10/10 Service: 10/10 Overall: LOVE Postino! The food is over the moon delicious with plenty of options and reasonable serving sizes. Even with the slightly high price point, it is well worth every penny. And they take allergies SO seriously! Literally went through a bunch of ingredients to find what would and wouldn't be dairy-allergy safe. Atmosphere is fun but cozy, too. 100% recommend! In-depth: Postino has quickly become one of my favorite places in the CLT area after my 10/10 experience here. To start, the food. My word, it's amazing! Everything my friend and I tried was delicious. The bruschetta is 100% worth trying (the spinach artichoke one is my favorite), and the west coaster panini + romaine salad was tasty at every bite. Their wine is also good quality, with a decent-sized portion poured. Allergy safety is a major thing for them, too. Our server (Lee = the best waitress!) and her manager looked through their bread and ingredients for about 30 minutes to confirm what was and wasn't dairy safe (I asked how dairy allergies are handled for when I bring my husband next time). They also had quite a few gluten-free options, too. The manager explained that she wants people to be able to just come in and relax for a few hours without worrying if they'll get sick, which I truly, truly appreciate. Lee shared a similar sentiment, which was amazing. Now price... Yes, it is a *bit* pricey, but it is well worth it. Nothing felt lacking as far as flavor goes, and the allergy safety is a huge thing. This is one of the few places I felt my sandwich and salad were worth every penny, even if it was $17. Also, their rewards program is great. I got a free bruschetta board, and they offer several other perks. Make sure to sign up before or while dining there to get some good deals! In addition to their sincere care for allergy safety, the service is fantastic all around. They do group service, meaning you'll have several servers, and they encourage you to grab anyone if you have questions. This takes the pressure off of waiting for one server to walk by and really helped me relax. And the atmosphere? I could stay there all day! It's a really fun vibe, but the lighting and seating are very cozy. Overall, I've already recommended this place to 5+ people and will be returning soon

    Postinos is located in the main strip of the "bowl" and near the AMP. Parking can be located on the…read morestreet or in the parking lot adjacent to the building. It currently offers free parking for 3 hours and incremental of 1- 2 hours paid parking after. My wife and I came here on a date night. While her original visit left more than be desired management invited us to give them a second try and I'm so glad we did. We had an amazing time from start to finish. The staff was amazing and I was astounded by their dedication to their craft. The best part was the food. We started with the chefs board which had an array of cheeses and spreads. The most memorable was the whipped feta. OMG. The Ambiance was the only thing I feel could use some tuning as there's not enough sound deadening to make the music out? It sounds like a heart beat and makes it hard to make out conversations. Major shout out to Leigh for taking care of us all night and making it a memorable night. Also big thanks to Odhie for the tickets to the concert. This was definitely a night to remember. Thank you Postinos Staff!

    Photos
    Postino Ballantyne
    Postino Ballantyne
    Postino Ballantyne

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    Papi Queso - newamerican - Updated September 2026

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