We tried Papi Queso for the first time a few years ago about a month after they first hit the streets.... And it has been an obsession ever since then! It's by far our favorite food truck in Charlotte (and the favorite truck we've eaten at anywhere, really!), and you honestly can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The quality of the ingredients that they use, combined with creative combinations, and the buttery crisp perfection of the bread makes their grilled cheese the best EVER! I know, I know; pretty big statement, right? Well, if you're questioning my authenticity, just try it for yourself and you'll be saying the same thing. They have a general rotation of gourmet favorites including the Pig Mac and the go-to Four Cheese, but I highly recommend branching out and sampling the Green Meunster (spinach + wasabi + avocado + Meunster) or the Leek & Mushroom (this is waaaay better than the way the ingredients sound, trust me). If you ever see the Lobstah Mac on the menu, you MUST order it! You can thank me later. Don't forget to get yourself a nice cold Pellegrino and an order of truffle kettle chips while you wait, it rounds out the meal. Also, don't delude yourself into thinking that you'll only eat ONE grilled cheese --- save time and go ahead and order two. That way you won't have to get back in line later (or share with anyone else). The staff and chef of this truck are so charming and talented, and you can tell that they are genuinely passionate about their customers and their food. I can't sing their praises enough, but the best compliment in the food industry is a referral and recommendation, so go check them out! **Tip: If you aren't into long lines, check them out at Sleepy Poet on Saturday afternoons and avoid the chaos of food truck Fridays. read more

Papi Queso - Yuuuuum! Spanish ham & cheese and the little green Meunster - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Sandwiches were to go and tasted soggy. The pics on yelp looked great but taste wasn't there. The place you go to get them is really cool and there are tons of other options for places to eat so look around and decide what your in the mood for read more

I've been eating Papi Queso for years at food truck friday so I'm so excited they have a permanent spot at Optimist Hall! They really do a great job of elevating their grilled cheese. I usually get the Mac Melt or the Pig Mac and both are amazing. The bread is always perfectly toasty and I love the salt and herbs they add to the top. They are priced a little high for a grilled cheese but I think it's worth it for the quality and taste! read more

On a rainy morning we were driving around looking for something to eat with nothing particular in mind. Then it happened... we passed the Papi Queso truck while it was heading down Central. It didn't even take a second for Ella and I to look at each other and know a gourmet grilled cheese was just what we needed. We looked up their facebook, followed them on twitter while we were slowly stalking them on the way towards Uptown. Once they stopped we looked over the extensive grilled cheese menu and ordered the "Pig Mac", the "French Onion" and some Tomato & Tarragon Soup. Given the miserable weather we opted for taking our grub back home and enjoying it while watching Dexter. With sandwich bliss in hand we turned on Dexter and sank our teeth into our grilled cheese's. Both sandwiches were delicious but one sandwich stood above the other... the PIG MAC! Its a grilled cheese sandwich with Mac & Cheese , Carolina Pulled Pork, and Bourbon Onions. Charlotte has many amazing food trucks and across the nation some of the best food is popping up everywhere except in a restaurant. If you haven't hit up a local truck lately you should give them a shot :) read more

So, I just finished eating this for lunch. The sandwich was absolutely, positively, without a doubt, wonderfully delicious. HOWEVER, the value proposition is non-existent. I got the GC Cheeseburger, a bag of barbecue chips, a can of Diet Coke, and walked away $13.26 lighter. Honestly, maybe I just have a big appetite (although I ironically ordered Diet Coke), but I feel like I could very easily eat two of these sandwiches. Objectively, it would be fair to all parties if they cut their prices in half, or doubled the quantity provided at the current price point. I mean... really? They charged $2 for a 12 oz. can of Diet Coke. Anyway, now I need to go get something with more sustenance so that I can finish the work day. read more

Papi Queso is located at the Optimist Center; which in itself is a great spot to stop and get a bite to eat. I ordered the patty melt and it was cooked to perfection. Not too greasy... which I almost expected with all the cheese but it was cooked perfectly. It was the right amount of food and it hit the spot. If you are in the area be sure to check them out. read more

I mean, can you really go wrong with grilled cheese? No. But Papi Queso takes it to the next level. They have perfected the art for sure. Boyfriend and I split the Pig Mac and Mushroom and Gruyere. Really enjoyed both. It'd the perfect ratio of crustiness to meltiness and the little sprinkle of salt on the bread really makes it. Mmm mmm. It's also really cool that they often do special menu items to pair with beer releases from Sycamore. It's gonna run you almost $20 for 2 grilled cheese sandwiches, but it's worth it! read more

Papi Queso - Pig Mac and mushroom and gruyere - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Winner winner Mac & Cheese for dinner! Papi Queso is where it's at! I don't think I can have another Mac & Cheese anywhere else. What I love about their food is it's simple, nothing fancy. It's just a classic recipe done right with love and attention. The perfect amount of cheese (though there's also no such thing as too much) and an even crisp burn to the bread. Anyone in town MUST try and find the truck and try their food! read more

This is an amazing new find for us. We are amazed at the variety of food options at Optimist Hall. We chose Papi Queso for our first time there. The food is outstanding. We had a burger with queso. We also had a side of fries. We were not disappointed. The staff were very friendly and helpful. We'll be going back there often,. read more

Tried this place out today because I'm on a personal mission to try every damn stall out at Optimist Hall lol. I ordered the buffalo chicken grilled cheese with a side of fries and cream soda to go. My sandwich was still hot and crispy by the time I started eating. I don't like spicy at all, but the buffalo sauce used is mild enough for me to enjoy. The buffalo sandwich comes with a side of ranch that is soooo good. The fries are hot and salty with sea salt and rosemary. I will def be back, but not until I complete my mission. Try it out, you won't regret it. read more

I went to Optimist Hall with my brother to try Papi Queso. This is not your average grilled cheese, its x 10000 times better. We ordered the Burger Melt and it was delicious!! I have never tried something like it before. It had the right amount of cheese and meat. We paired it with fries and it turned into one of my favorite meals in Charlotte thus far. Finishing the whole sandwich took some time, but definitely doable when its that good. The sandwich kept us full for the rest of the day. We came on a Sunday afternoon and it was difficult to find seating inside so we sat outside. I can't wait to go back to Charlotte to try the rest of their menu! read more

Papi Queso - Burger Melt - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

This food truck is everything that I'd hoped for and more. I ordered the Classic Big Cheesy and added applewood smoked bacon and grilled tomatoes. With 3 types of cheese (cheddar, American, and provolone), it is any cheese-lovers dream. It takes approximately 10 minutes from the time you order until you receive your food, so if there is a line, be prepared. read more

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I freaking love this food truck. I got to try it Food Truck Friday and might possibly be the best grilled cheese I have ever eaten. I had the Pig Mac: Mac and cheese pork shoulder bourbon onions add smoked tomatoes and bacon. Three of my all time favorite foods: pork shoulder, bacon, and mac and cheese. Amazing. read more

Papi Queso - Pig Mac: Mac and cheese pork shoulder bourbon onions add smoked tomatoes and bacon. So amazing. - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Saw this place on one of the Charlotte instagram pages so we wanted to check it out and it did not disappoint. We enjoyed the sandwiches and great wait staff. Also they have their own seating and as they are part of a big food court and all the general open seating was taken it was an easy choice. The fries have a spice that I was not a fan off so ask about the flavoring as they are not your everyday fries. read more

I love Papi Queso! The food is amazing & the staff is always so friendly! Best grilled cheese in Charlotte!

You don't find a grilled cheese restaurant often, so I was pretty excited when a coworker informed me of Papi Queso. It takes about 12-15 minutes to make and you receive a buzzer to let you know when your order is ready. I've been twice and have ordered the regular grilled cheese and the buffalo chicken grilled cheese. Both were tasty and not necessarily a basic grilled cheese you make yourself at home. They have a variety of different toppings. Next time, I plan to try the one with jam on it. You can expect to pay more than your average lunch. An order of fries and the buffalo grilled cheese was about $14. read more

Sooo good! Food was also ready super fast! Got the buffalo chicken grilled cheese and then the regular kind with Mac and cheese in it. Makes me want to order again for dinner tonight. read more

Papi Queso is phenomenal! Every time I have it, it's wonderful. They were in the neighborhood next to mine yesterday selling food when I went for a walk to escape the house for a bit. I got the mac and cheese grilled cheese and added bacon. The food was hot, fresh and delicious. Bacon cooked perfectly so it crunches and isn't chewy. Staff was incredibly kind. Will always stop by when I see their truck! read more

Legit The Truth Best Ever I don't even like cheese, so I'll start there. One afternoon I visited Papi Queso near the JWU campus for a sandwich, I've been in love ever since. The Pig Mac is amazing, I told like 20 people about this grilled cheese, which I call an adult grilled cheese, it was insane. Honestly, I thought I wrote a review after my 1st bite but I'm apparently slipping'. Imagine this... some pulled pork mixed with caramelized bourbon onions paired with bacon and some good ole' mac & cheese and then more cheese. WHAT? Just do yourself a favor, order it, then review it, then visit Sycamore Brewing on Friday night for Food Truck Friday and get yourself another one. That damn bread is amazing too! read more

Got the pleasure of trying out Papi Queso for the first time at Food Truck Friday. The line was shorter than usual but we came early and it was pretty chilly out. The sweetest lady took our orders. I got the tomato bisque special and the bacon jalapeño grilled cheese! The soup was amazing and perfect for the weather. My grilled cheese was good, although I will say, to my surprise, it didn't pack much heat. I know some jalapeños are hotter than others but even someone sensitive to heat could have eaten this. Over all it was delicious, just wish my sandwich had a little more heat! read more

Papi Queso - Bacon jalapeño grilled cheese and tomato bisque. Yum!!! - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

because i liked my food, although my date said the food didn't hit like it used to, bonus points they have a christmas tree love the christmas spirit, have a good day guys merry christmas read more

Ordered the Buffalo chicken sandwich, loved the taste and it has that perfect enjoyable spice because of the siracha sauce that They add. Very cheesy , Service was great ! read more

This food truck is mine and my husbands favorite at food truck Friday! The pig mac is always the go to, but last night I tried the green Muenster with BBQ pork on it and boy was it delicious! You do have to stand in line a lot longer than some of the other trucks but it's worth the wait!! read more

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Love it, and loved it from when it was just the food truck. The sandwiches are so good and a good size. I can't say that I've ever had anything from here that I didn't love. If you go on the weekend, be prepared to wait. It can often be quite a long line, but it's worth it when you finally get served. read more

Wonderful grilled cheese sandwiches that are creative and tasty. The sides are amazing as well and the on tap beers were good even though I am not a beer guy. The staff are awesome, knowledgeable and friendly. And don't forget to get the Slushie of the day. read more

Papi Queso - My first food truck experience in USA. Today noon, i came out of office to buy lunch take away & this food truck was just parked at the entrance of my office. I wanted to try foods from food truck from the day i reached US, but i happened to notice just today, So i made my mind 100% to try here. Papi Queso serves mainly the grilled sandwiches & I went with Pig Mac($8), out of the few options listed on the menu. Packing was good & the staff was friendly & took around 10 minutes to prepare. Pig Mac is nothing but Mac'N'Cheese+Carolina Pulled Pork + Bourbon Onions on grilled bread slices. I was initially little disappointed to see just 2 slices of bread, but while having, i realized that it was heavy with huge quantity of pulled pork & macaroni. I have liked every bite of the sandwich, the pork & macaroni combination was very tastier. It was top notch preparation. I would love to check other sandwiches also, when i get next chance. I would highly recommend this others as well. read more

Papi Queso - Pig Mac - It's heavier than it looks. - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I found the taste to be very bland. Honestly ive had much better grilled cheese than this. But i would still still rate them as a decent enough spot. Grilled cheese with tomato soup always a good combination. They really need to start adding salt to their food. Also for the buffalo chicken grilled cheese fried chicken bits would taste much better in my opinion. Service was great. read more

If you love grilled cheese, Mac and Cheese or BBQ - you're in for an amazing treat! They have mastered the art of grilled cheese sandwiches! Pig Mac & Roasted Wild Mushroom are my favorite! read more

Papi Queso - Pig Mac is to die for! Couldn't resist a bite before the picture. - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I know what you're thinking... "How can a grilled cheese food truck possibly receive 5 stars?" And that's a fair question. My only response is that you need to try their menu and get back to me. Because this is by far my favorite food truck. I swoon at the thought of the leek and mushroom sandwich, or the one with smoked tomatoes, or the one with avocado and other green stuff. And it's not your average cheese that they're using. Their ingredients are strategically sourced to deliver an astounding flavor profile every time, with every sandwich. There's a bit of a wait, which I count as a perfect opportunity to munch on the truffle potato chips. My only complaint about the chips is that they don't come in a 5 gallon bucket. So stinking good. I've tried a lot of food trucks in my day, but the quality ingredients, consistent vegetarian options and finger-licking good sandwiches at Papi Queso make it my top choice in town. And I bought a t-shirt. Long live the cheese stache. read more

When you go to a gourmet food truck specializing in grilled cheese, you know it's going to be awesome. I mean, even at it's most basic form, it's bread and cheese which is probably the best combination out there. My sister raves about this truck so when I came down to visit, she told me we HAD to go. There was no need to twist my arm about it, so we tracked them down at Triple C brewery one night. One glance at the menu and I knew what I was getting. Their special grilled cheese for the night was a bacon, fig, and manchego grilled cheese. The chef inside told me they put baby arugula on it as well (I'm not sure if he was just excited about the special or warning me so I knew what to expect, but either way I knew I was going to enjoy it). We sat down inside the brewery and they brought our sandwiches in to us. Each box is stamped with the papi queso mustache (which is probably the cutest logo ever) and a stamp to show what sandwich you have. I got to try a bite of everyone's sandwich at the table. The leek and mushroom was probably my least favorite, only because I'm not a mushroom fan, but it wasn't bad at all, just not my favorite. Third on the list was the french onion soup grilled cheese. It had a very mellow, complex caramalized onion flavor which was really, really delicious. I then had a bite of the sandwich they're most known for, the Pig Mac. It's easy to see why this is a staple on their menu, pulled pork, mac and cheese, yeah, it was amazing. But the clear winner of the night was the special. The smokey bacon, the sweet fig, the creamy melty manchego, and the mustardy bite of the arugula all worked so perfectly together. I may not live in Charlotte, but Papi Queso is now on my list of "must-go" places when I'm visiting. And if you're reading this, add this special to your regular menu. Seriously. read more

Ive had this place bookmarked for a long time so i was excited when i was driving and saw this food truck close to my job.i got the Pig grilled cheese. It had onions. Mac n cheese and "pork" so i took a bite and tasted thr mac n cheese and onions but no pork so i pulled back the toast to see of they forgot to add the meat. Ok i must saw i was shocked to see about a tablespoon of pork pm the sandwich. Eventhou the sandwich was Very flavor for the price $10 there should have been way more pork in my opinion.for that reason alone, i wont order that sandwich again. Lunch was disappointing. read more

I guess I'm being the gluttonous American here, but for $10 ($8+tip), I guess I'm expecting something with a little more heft? Very nice service, a mild wait, but certainly not unreasonable. And what sounded like an incredible grilled cheese sandwich. Local smoked mozzarella, fresh made salsa verde, sounded awesome. So I just felt a bit letdown when I opened the box to find a standard square grilled cheese, that, from the outside looked like what I could make at home. Basic white bread, no cheese spilling out the sides, just a square cut into two triangles. It tasted very good, not OMG-greatest-grilled-cheese-ever, but very good. The mozzarella was delicious. But it literally took me about 90 seconds to eat it and I wasn't eating that fast. I guess what I'm asking for is a massive upgrade in BREAD. Why not some big, thick slices of sourdough? Then you could pile on more cheese and the bread would hold up. Or at least make that an option for a buck or two more. Food trucks are all about getting your grub on, and in terms of portion size, this just didn't do it for me. If that's not an issue for you, then I think you'll love this truck. Menu very appealing and service was great. read more

What a amazing grilled cheese, even the pickles were great. I had a smoked bacon and tomato grilled cheese. I would go back for another

Grilled Cheese Foodtruck!!! 3 words, enough said. There is a reason for the long lines and hypes for this foodtruck. The food is delish and the staff amazing! My husband and I went to Triple C last night to grab a beer and something to eat at whatever food truck was present. Our excitement raised when we saw Papi Queso out back! Aren't we the lucky ones. We put in an order for the Pig Mac (duh.....mac and cheese with pulled pork grilled cheese) and the Mushroom one. Also, ordered a cup of the tomato soup cause it was freaking iceberg like temperature outside. The Pig Mac was heavenly. I mean, this thing is amazing. The mushroom one was good too and a nice balance with the heartiness of the Pig Mac. Though, if I had to just choose one, it is the Pig Mac all the way! The soup was super flavorful and more importantly, very hot! Awesome job guys. Looking forward to seeing all the new grilled cheeses that you concoct in the future! read more

SANDWICHES? SOUP? Ok, I'm in, I like everything I tried here, including the Pig Mac. I mostly stand against NC barbecue but when you put it on a grilled cheese.... well I kinda have to like it. The truffle kettle chips were earthy, sophisticated, and delicious. The tomato bisque, though, was the star of the non-sandwich category. It's pretty awesome as far as soups go. Somewhere in the top 10 of my all-time fave list. So far. Definitely going to have to catch up with them again. read more

I was so excited to be in Charlotte and see this food truck at Food Truck Fridays! A big fan of anything with truffle oil, I KNEW I wanted to try the truffle kettle chips. Unfortunately, by the time I got there they were all gone... (of course!) Instead, I tried a grilled cheese with pear and truffle. (I don't remember the exact name) but it was the best combination of salty and sweet that all melts in your mouth! To keep warm, I also had their tomato + tarragon soup... the creamiest and livened up a boring grilled cheese and tomato soup I would normally make at home. This food truck introduced me to the endless possibilities to make something like a grilled cheese "sophisticated." My only drawback is that a grilled cheese starts at $5-6?! I know truffle oil is expensive... but I guess that's what comes with a sophisticated meal, a sophisticated price! read more

Papi Queso has the best grilled cheese sandwiches in Charlotte. My personal favorites are the following: Pig Mac - pulled pork, Mac and cheese, no onions Pig Mac minus the onions and pulled pork, and then add Bacon. - yum! Jalapeno Mac - this is a featured sandwich. It has a pepper jelly, Mac and cheese, jalapenos, sweet tomatoes and onions. Very nice combination. I took the onions off because Im not a fan of them. But for those onion lovers.... Keep them on. All of my friends love this sandwich with the onions. :) read more

Yay for me, I'm no longer a PQ virgin! I went big for my first time too, and ordered the Pig Mack. Pulled pork with mac and cheese stuffed between bread slices and thrown on the grill YES PLEASE! There are vegetarian choices too with leeks, mushrooms and roasted tomatoes. A fellow diner also got the truffle potato chips. Sorry I missed out this time. I enjoyed my PQ order delivered right to my table at Triple C Brewing Co. during a friend and fellow Yelper's birthday celebrations. Washing a great sandwich down with a Light Rail Pale Ale, mmm, mmm. Loved that I could pay with my credit card using Square Up and sign with my digit on the Ipad. I love technology. PQ also stocks Pelligrino italian sodas. I chose blood orange. Look forward to the next visit whenever the truck crosses my path. read more

Aye, Papi! The worst thing about this grilled cheese food truck is trying to decide which of the drippy options to order. I've had the Leek & Cheese (tastes like a piping hot bowl of french onion soup), Little Muenster (the kick of wasabi is just right, and not too spicy), and the Pear & Truffle (salty AND sweet), and have been blown away every time. For additional sides, you can pick between the truffle potato chips (so gourmet) and the tomato soup (served in a coffee mug, this soup feels like a warm hug). Everything Papi makes is cooked with love; get ready to stalk them via Facebook or Twitter to see where they're set up today! (And yes, they accept credit cards via on-site tablet reader. Too cool.) read more

I sampled several while at a Yelp event and was extremely impressed. The 3 cheese was by far the best "original" style grilled cheese I have ever had. The french onion soup grilled cheese tasted like they had trapped traditional french onion soup in a sandwhich. The last one I tried, I cant even remember what it was called but it was my favorite. It had pastromi and i swear there was a slice of green apple on it. I bet everything he makes is just amazing. The only reason I didnt give him 5 stars is because I hear the prices are kind of steep. I think that is because people are looking at it as a grilled cheese but its really is more of a gourmet sandwhich. If I see him out and about I will definately be stopping by. read more