Optimist Hall was packed. I mean PACKED. I walked around once to see what food was available then I made another loop to find a line that didn't stretch around the corner. That's when I saw Papi Queso - a couple of people in line in front of me - that could have been a good sign yet it could have been a bad sign. Because how can you go wrong with cheese, butter and bread, I chose it as a good sign. I ordered both the Mushroom Gruyère and the Pig Mac grilled cheese sandwiches. I also ordered rosemary fries, a beer for my husband and a wine slushy for myself. I guess I'm unfortunately getting used to inflation - I didn't flinch at $9 and $10 for grilled cheese. (After I thought about later I did flinch a little.) After paying, I was served my drinks, handed a beeper and told to come back in about 10 minutes. That gave me enough time to get the drinks back to our table. Speaking of those drinks - the slushy was excellent - I'd love to have one of these on a hot Bama evening while sitting on the deck listening to some Garth. I went back in the allotted 10 minutes to retrieve my food. I waited and waited until they realized that my beeper wasn't working. No biggie - just be mindful that this can happen. My husband and I first split the mushroom Gruyère sandwich - silky smooth cheese, lots of sautéed mushrooms sandwiched between two slices of perfectly grilled bread. It was delicious. Amazingly delicious! I was so full that I didn't have room to split the Pig Mac. I don't know who decided to put cheese, Mac and cheese and pulled pork between two slices of bread but whoever it was, give that woman a medal! I shouldn't have gotten the fries - the sandwiches were way more than enough on their own and also, the fries weren't all that great - the rosemary was almost nonexistent. In the end, I guess fate brought me to Papi Queso but the food will bring me back! read more

See all

In a far off land I love to visit called NC, there is a magical place called Optimus Hall. Within its walls lays many of the best formerly "outdoor" food trucks in Charlotte! Papi Queso is as yummy as it looks! Who doesn't want a hot pressed sandwich filled with gooey goodness? Service is great and they have vegan options as well. Great for lunch date, remote working, family meals or hanging out with friends. Optimus Hall has indoor and outdoor seating. Great location to post up with your laptop for the afternoon. Please tell them I sent you. For more: See YumYumYemi on Instagram and TikTok read more

See all

A perfect grilled cheese. I always get the little cheesy and sometimes add tomatoes. As basic as it comes but oh so good. Best to eat it right then and there when it's hot and the cheese is stringy. Pro tip- get the chili oil from the dumpling lady and dip that bad boy in her... you'll thank me later. I'll always enjoy papi queso and you should too. read more

Papi Queso - Can't go wrong with the little cheesy - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Some may scoff at their prices, but let me tell you, they are worth it! My boyfriend and I swung into Optimist Hall Sunday afternoon after the Panthers last game. We got there with perfect timing before the dinner rush and were able to secure two spots at their counter to eat in. Now, I normally go for the pork sammy, but I saw the spaghetti one and knew I had to have it! Made even better, their special was spaghetti AND meatballs. Y'all. When I tell you I've been thinking about that sandwich for dayyyyys now. It was amazing. The meatballs were flavorful and tender, the sandwich was stuffed with spaghetti it was hot, it was fresh... I'm salivating just writing this. All that to say I highly highly recommend it, you can't go wrong with whichever you choose. read more

Papi Queso - Spaghetti & Meatballs Special - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Came in here on a Sunday evening with a friend. Optimist Hall is pretty busy on the weekends and can be overwhelming with all the options but a gourmet grilled cheese won our first pick to share. We opted for the Pig Mac. Pulled pork can be hit or miss for me and I wasn't sure about Mac and cheese on the sandwich - but this was a game changer! It was the perfect combination and ratio of toppings. read more

Papi Queso - PIG MAC - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

2.5, average grilled cheese place. The mac and cheese grilled cheese was severely lacking in flavor. I added jalapeños but they barely put any inside and they were very mild. The tots were the only good part of my meal, and the aioli that came with it made the sandwich slightly more tolerable. Very greasy (although that's to be expected) but the taste wasn't worth it. Pass. read more

With Papi Queso now open in Optimist Hall there was no way I could pass up a grilled cheese sandwich during a recent visit. Having had a few in the past, The Pig MAC and the Jalapeño, we decided to try some other options. We ordered the Little Cheese, Mushroom Gruyere and Burger Melt, a couple of Tomatoe Soup and Fries. Exactly what I expected, each sandwich was amazing. Perfectly toasted bread, melted cheese and they did not skimp on fillings. The soup was a nice addition, especially to compliment The Little Cheese. As for the fries, loved! Won't pass those up again. read more

Papi Queso - The Pig Mac! - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

See all

This place is a fantastic creative little gem. I stopped by Optimist Hall while in Charlotte for work. Great space to have a stale/ booth in. I ordered the most creative sandwich I saw on the menu- the Pig Mac. A grilled cheese with pulled pork and Mac and cheese. The crunch on the outside of the sandwich was to die for. Overall, seasoned great and amazing combo sandwich wise. Would stop by again for a different sandwich in the future. read more

Papi Queso - PIG MAC - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Papi Queso has been popular for several years but this was my first visit to their site at Optimist Hall and it wont be my last. The staff engages their customers and adds to the experience whether you're grabbing food to go or sitting at the counter. The grilled cheese sandwiches are loaded with cheese and toppings and the soup is an excellent complement. I grabbed a Munkle beer and it did not disappoint. If you're looking for some comfort food and an inviting counter this is the place to visit. read more

See all

Our first time at Optimist Hall we had to try this place! Loved the Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese and Truffle Fries The flavors are great this is certainly a menu item that works The truffle fries and frosé were on a paper menu, don't miss out on them After our first time we've already been back and ordered it again! LOVE THIS PLACE read more

See all

I've had Papi Queso years ago when they had a food truck and was happy they had an actual restaurant location. I got the infamous "Pig-Mac" which had mac n cheese, pulled pork, caramelized onions, seasoning, and I added both tomatoes & bacon. Honey it was better than I remembered!! There was a party going on in my mouth and I wasn't mad!! The meat was tender, the sandwich was FULL of flavor and the mac n cheese was just right. You can't go wrong with this sammich. read more

See all

I don't live in Charlotte, but I make sure to get a grilled cheese from here every time I am in town. This has to be the best grilled cheese I have ever had in my life! The mushroom gruyere is my absolute favorite, but I have tried the other ones too - they are all amazing! I love optimist hall, the vibe, and how clean it is there. It's an awesome hangout spot and this grilled cheese makes my day every single time. The staff is always super nice, the food is served pretty fast even when they are busy. I would give 6 stars if I could! read more

Papi queso is honestly a Charlotte staple. This is a warning to not order the tomato soup. Honestly so watery and flavorless. Would prefer to be served campbells. See picture. The grilled cheeses always hit though. Perfectly crisp and super cheesy. Frose is also a 10/10! read more

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

The food was mediocre. I ordered the brisket sandwich. Just to keep it short and simple, the brisket tasted and looked like prepackaged meat. The cashier stated that the brisket is smoked for 16hrs. It's probably sitting on low heat for 16hrs....it just didn't taste legit. Definitely not worth the price. read more

Papi Queso - Brisket - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Found this place while trying to find my mom something to eat for dinner. She thought about the Buffalo chicken sandwich but wanted to try something else since she couldn't alter the spice level. The cashier was so helpful in answering her questions. I got the Mushroom Gruyere Sandwich and some fries for myself. And I'm glad I did! It was full of flavor just how I would've cooked it for myself. My mom even said next time she'll try something too. read more

The food was average, but the service was good and the cashier was very friendly. The garlic tots and the dipping sauce were the best thing on the plate. read more

Papi Queso - Garlic Tots Bacon Jalapeno Grilled Cheese - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Hands down the best grilled cheese in town !!! Now how does one get so excited about a freakin grilled cheese ? Papi Queso has a menu that's pretty basic and straight to the point but it's nothing basic about the grilled cheeses . They offer all different types of grilled cheeses and you cant order one without getting the garlic tots. Great balls of fire I could legit order & eat the garlic tots alone ! If you want a grilled cheese that will have you feenin for more Papi Queso is the one . read more

Papi Queso - Mushroom Gruyere - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Yum! Papi Queso has perfected the Grilled Cheese sandwich. Everything about this sandwich is both elevated and cozy at the same time. I tried the Mac and Cheese Sandwich, and it was heavenly. The bread is toasted to perfection, and the cheese was oozy and warm in the center. The menu offers a bunch of different grilled cheeses with fillings like mushroom, pork, etc. Plus you can just get Mac and Cheese or tomato soup if you'd like. Note- this place is a tad bit pricey for a cheese and bread. However, I do think it was very satisfying and high quality. I felt full after, and thought the $8 price was well worth it for the meal and the experience. We went during COVID, so the bar area was closed. However, there are several distanced tables and chairs to enjoy your meal at. I appreciated that Papi Queso had plastic barriers up at the register, and that they texted you when your food was ready. 10/10 on precautions! read more

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

Do I recommend....ABSOLUTELY!!!!! The brisket grilled cheese may be one of the most amazing things I've ever eaten!! I wanted to go back the next day!!! The service was good and I love the vibe of Optimist Hall as a whole!! read more

*** TL;DR: Fantastic venue at Optimist Hall. Decent room for parking, though construction made it a little difficult. PACKED with people. Great takes on grilled cheese, but they're pretty heavy so come hungry. Fries were outstanding.*** --COVID-19 info: You must wear a mask while walking around. Once you are seated you can take off your mask. A lot of people in the area and a bit hard to socially distance at Optimist Hall.-- I ate here on Sunday, 8/16 around 2 p.m. Optimist Hall is a cute location in uptown Charlotte, a food court filled with all types of restaurants serving anything from empanadas and tacos to sushi and ramen. I went for lunch on a Sunday afternoon and it was PACKED. Almost everyone was wearing a mask, but there wasn't much room for social distancing especially inside where everyone is standing around waiting in line. I'm not sure if anyone was wiping down tables or anything--it seems almost impossible due to the amount of people immediately taking a seat after someone gets up. The area also took a little bit to navigate as there was construction in the area that was confusing at first but it didn't take too long to get parked--I just followed the smell of the food. Papi Queso has great takes on different types of grilled cheeses. I had their burger melt and it was fantastic. Really good and filling. It's pretty heavy so if you feel like taking a nap afterward, this is something you should try! According to their website, it's a "special blend of brisket, chuck, short-rib, and aged ribeye" and the cheese is a "Guryere and white cheddar" blend. They also gave me 1,000 island sauce on the side to dip it into and it complimented the sandwich very well. The fries are fantastic--amazingly crispy and seasoned just right. I didn't feel the need to add any salt or anything. To be completely honest, the fries were better than the sandwich but that doesn't take anything away from the sandwich--the fries were just that good. I would've wished the sandwich actually had LESS cheese, but considering cheese is kind of what they're about, I shouldn't complain! Service was good however--they ask for your cell # after your order so you can wander around while they prepare your food. My order took about 15 minutes and the staff at Papi Queso was great and attentive. Tip: Ask for a cup of water instead of a bottle or anything--there are plenty of water stations around the area (like one near the bathroom) that are great. read more

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

Papi Queso is an exceptional place to get a sandwich. I'm not usually much for buying sandwiches that aren't burgers, but these are special grilled cheeses. My mother eats a ton of grilled cheeses and loved the classic Little Cheesy. I ate the Pig Mac with pulled pork and macaroni and cheese. Fries were excellent. I just wish they had fountain drinks. Bottled sodas or water is not always what I want. Such drinks are usually overpriced. Service was very friendly. This is another great food stall at Optimist Hall. read more

See all

Wow is all I can say! Visiting my son from out of state and we went for lunch. My son told me it's his favorite spot in Charlotte. I had the Pig Mac and it was absolutely delicious! Creamy melted cheese, pulled pork with just the right seasoning and sauce and the best part was the bread was perfectly grilled nice and crispy. Fries were hot, fresh, crispy on the outside soft on the inside. Sauce was a nice treat to skip the sandwich in. Staff was super friendly!! If you haven't tried it yet, you are missing out! 10 out of 5 stars!! read more

4.5 rounded up. The sandwiches are well crafted and tasty, just not pulling me back as often as some other really great options at Optimist Hall. I got the Pig Mac and thought it was pretty good, but just lacking something like cole slaw, even as a side if not on the actual sandwich. Or apple? I think it just needed a fresh crunch. read more

I saw this restaurant on a Charlotte news feature as a hot dining place to try inside Optimist Hall. The line was long when I visited the first time and I've rarely seen it quiet when I've gone the past two times. (The first visit to Optimist Hall was spent enjoying another restaurant and I said I'd come back to try Papi Queso's another time.) I came around 4-5 PM on Monday and found a spot. The Hall was not overly crowded, probably due to the timing. There was no line for Papi Queso's but the bar was full, so we ordered and looked for a table to take our food to inside the Hall. Staff there were knowledgeable and very friendly. I ordered their Little Cheesy which is your old fashioned grilled cheese with herbs and sea salt and a side of their tomato soup made with tarragon crema. My dad got their pork one with Mac and cheese and the fries. Food was a short wait - I would say it took maybe 10-12 minutes tops. Bread was crunchy and the cheese was melted perfectly. The herbs and sea salt elevated it ever so slightly. Paired with the soup, it was perfect. My dad's sandwich was unique but worked well - kind of like a BBQ meal on a sandwich. A great place for elevated grilled cheese sandwiches! read more

GROWN FOLKS SAMMY ON DECK...at first I was like 9.00 for a grill cheese sandwich!!!! But it was worth every penny. The cheese was creamy and the mushrooms were perfect. I really enjoyed this grown folks grilled cheese made of Grand Cru Gruyere, fontina, pan roasted mushrooms and truffle cream. I can't wait to go back and have something else...maybe the buffalo grilled cheese with mac and cheese. read more

At the Food Truck Fridays gathering at the Sycamore Brewery, I decided to check out Papi Queso...despite the long line. Well, the line was indeed ridiculously long (well over 30-minute wait)...but their "Pig Mac" was really good! Honestly, the long wait ruined some of my enthusiasm for it. As great as the sandwich was, not sure if I'm willing to wait as long as I did for it again. If based on the sandwich alone, I'd rate it all 5 stars, but the total experience was more like a 2 (guess I don't have that much patience?). Also, must add that I was a bit surprised that the sandwich alone costed 10 bucks...and with the chips and drink, about 15. For that price, I could have actually had a nice dinner at a restaurant! So yeah, some mixed feelings on this. All I'll say is, if you have a good dose of patience and are willing to wait over 30 minutes for a super-good, super-expensive sandwich, go for it! read more

See all

Great service and great grilled cheese! Papi Queso was just one of the stops on my food trek through Optimist Hall. My bestie and I were in between the Mushroom Gruyere and Mac & Cheese sandwiches. The girl at the counter told us to get a mixture of the two and it did not disappoint. read more

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

I was driving past SouthPark Eats on the way to grab lunch from somewhere else and noticed that Papi Queso was parked. So I had to stop and give them a try. They had sold out of the Pic Mac so I decided on the Mac Melt. The Mac Melt is a mac and cheese grilled cheese. It was amazing. When you think about pasta and bread together it can seem to be a bit much but this was the perfect combination. You could taste the herbs and the huge flakes of salt and it was just the right amount of cheese and pasta. It complimented the sandwich very well. I shared this sandwich with my mom but I definitely will be getting my own next time. I also hope to give the Pig Mac a try next time. Who can pass up pulled pork and Mac and cheese?? Papi Queso Wednesday May 29, 2019 1pm read more

See all

I am a huge fan of the classic grilled cheese/tomato soup combo, and this place went beyond my expectations! I ordered the burger melt and my boyfriend got the pig melt. The burger melt is now my new favorite grilled cheese!!! The pig melt was yummy as well, but mine was better ;) We ordered sides of tomato soup and the mac n cheese, but personally, I preferred the mac n cheese. The tomato soup was too liquid-y (is that a word?) and sour and wasn't as flavorful as Panera Bread's tomato soup. The mac n cheese was amazing though! The breaded crumbs really took it to the next level. I would def recommend this place for everyone!! read more

See all

Finally made it to Papi Queso in Optimist Hall. Such a nice location for the restaurant. I like the bar like set up. I tried the Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese.... boy, it was tasty . A little salty but amazingly good. It was a little smaller than the other sandwiches I saw coming out . Our waiter was nice and explained what wasn't on the menu . They will provide cups for water but you'll have to walk to the water fountain and fill your cup up . I did think the alcohol beverages were slightly pricey. I'm sure I'll be back eventually. A buffalo chicken grilled cheese isn't something I should eat every day lol . read more

See all

I will start off by saying the food was outstanding. The service overall was pretty fast and smooth. The environment was clean, however it was busy but it was a Friday night I went. Highly recommended!!! read more

Papi Queso - BUFFALO CHICKEN grilled cheese with fries - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Wow! Best grilled cheese sandwich ever! The little cheesy was a great sample since I ate everywhere else in this place! Cheese was amazing, texture was perfectly toasty, sprinkled in sea salt with some herbs to spice it up! A MUST TRY! read more

See all

Delish!!!! Had the Philly, so yummy. Everyone was super friendly and made you feel like family.

Loved this spot in Optimist Hall. Great food, friendly service, and the wait wasn't nearly as long as some other spots (though this could vary by time, I was there during weekend busy hours). I got the Mac Melt and the golden fries. The Mac Melt was delicious. First time having macaroni on a grilled cheese and I loved it. How could one not like a combo of grilled cheese and Mac n cheese? It also gave a great cheese pull with each bite. Unexpected but the fries were so good. Not that I thought they'd be bad, but I didn't expect them to be as good as they were. The rosemary and lemon zest provide great flavor that keeps you reaching for more. First experience here was great and I'll gladly come back for more soon. read more

See all

If you're heading to Optimist Hall, this is a must try. Usually when I go, it is with a group and we like to grab items from many vendors to taste. A grilled cheese or two is always good to add. I personally like the patty melt and the Buffalo chicken with added Mac n cheese. Something worth mentioning is that I've always liked dunking the sandwiches into the dumpling lady's chili oil- which is the whole joy of going to Optimist: mixing and meddling the flavors. For the sandwiches themselves, the bread is incredibly crispy. I've never achieved this feat so well in my own kitchen. The other main is the quality of the cheese. In my opinion, what more do you need? However, each come with good sauce and additions. I can't speak to the sides at this point but if I do I'll shake an update! read more

See all

Papi Queso is at the Optimist center in Charlotte. A relatively new place with lots of shops and places to eat. Even during Covid, the Optimist center was packed, but seems to very well managed and clean. Papi Queso offers a half dozen or so normal "cheese" based sandwiches plus two specials. All sandwiches are made fresh, so you will have to wait 10 - 15 minutes for your sandwich. I had the "pig mac" which is pulled pork with macaroni and cheese plus carmalized onions and some other items on toasted bread. It came hot, was very good and was a very good mix flavors. My Dad had one of the specials with gruyere, a variety of other cheeses and some other items. He liked it. All food items are ala carte. My sandwich was $10.50 and my Dad's was $12.50. We had some specialty sodas to drink (Mexican Coke for me and Root beer for him). A very good experience. read more

Wanted to try after seeing on Triple D... amazing grilled cheese, several options. Really cool place to eat - like an indoor / outdoor food court (Optimist Hall). Glad we checked it out! read more

I mean - what do they do for that unique exterior crunch that I cannot seem to do at home (don't tell me, I actually know the secret, but prefer not to say it out loud) - this place is like watching adults turn into children instantly. The gooey stretch and perfect salt level is what will keep this place in your mind when you think grilled cheese later....... Fresh, hot and always crunchy. There's not a kind that we've not loved and devoured every bite of. We even do the cheesy happy dance as we eat it (you know the one where you're humming with glee and chewing and dancing)! Sooooo happy this place is a Charlotte staple. read more

Ok I will admit I was very skeptical because anybody can make a grilled cheese but it's definitely worth a try. We had the buffalo chicken and it was AMAZING! Not to mention the tomato soup is hands down the best I've ever had. The only downside is you might still be hungry afterward. read more

I've been hearing about Papi Queso for years and finally found myself in a spot to get some! The new Optimist Food Hall is amazing for having these "famous" food trucks in a spot where one can always find them. The line was long, but it goes quickly. Place your order and they give you a buzzer that goes off when your food is ready. You can spend that time securing a spot to eat (man, seating was at a premium when we visited) or just walk around seeing the mill. My time given was 12 minutes and it was accurate. I ordered the mushroom Gruyere sandwich and the tomato soup. I was in heaven. The mushrooms were sauteed beautifully and the cheeses were melted perfectly with the crispy bread. Perfect for dunking in the tomato soup with the tarragon cream drizzle. I thought the prices were reasonable and the workers were kind and efficient. Definitely go here! read more

Papi Queso - Gruyere Mushroom grilled cheese sammie with tomato soup - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina