Fo’Cheezy - A Home-Melted Success Story By Peter Roos Craig Munroe was just settling into his third St. Pete Beach location for his pizza company “A Slice of New York,” when he told me he was going to shut it down and join Robert Hesse in a new fast food concept. They were going to start with a brand-new, state-of-the-art food truck, followed by a brick & mortar restaurant, with the end goal being a National Franchise Program! They reserved April 2020 for their launch way before anyone had heard of COVID. The Fo’Cheezy philosophy is to “create chef-inspired comfort food,” and “bring home-cooked classics to life in an all-new way, as an experience, not just a meal.” At first glance, Fo’Cheezy may not seem like it aligns with your New Year’s resolution to finally get healthy. But celebrity chef Robert Hesse, who lost 455 pounds after three heart attacks, has ensured that there are healthier options, such as soups and salads, for people looking for a lighter fare. Fo’Cheezy opened the second brick and mortar location in October of 2021 at 111 3rd St. N in downtown St. Petersburg thanks to the popularity of the food truck, which started serving just as COVID hit, and the success of the first location at 6305 14
APRIL 2022 | ParadiseNewsFL.com
Gulf Blvd. in St. Pete Beach. They were proud to say that the company “remained debt-free throughout Covid” and afforded them the ability to open a 2nd location. Hip-hop and R&B music from the 1980s and ’90s sets the tone for the era of urban culture and the nostalgia it brings. Customers are greeted by a shiny, custom low rider bicycle hanging from the ceiling as they walk into the dining area. Gold-spoked rims and tires and a model of a front bumper from a 1964 Impala adorn the wall above the menu board, a combination that any fan of west coast hip-hop is sure to recognize. For interior decoration, larger-than-life murals are the star of the show. Tampa Bay muralist Matt Kress spent two months creating mural portraits of rap icons like Tupac, Biggie Smalls, Method Man and Slick Rick. The duo envisions their artisan grilled cheese as a form of graffiti. Kress captured that idea in his artwork. Fo’Cheezy’s menu features 13 artisan melts encompassing an innovative combination of fresh ingredients. The “Mac N’ Rib” for example combines sharp cheddar cheese, barbecue pulled pork shoulder, smoked bacon, Fo’Cheezy macaroni and cheese, crispy onions, and honey drunk barbeque sauce. Sides include artisan tater tots that also feature inventive ingredient combinations. There are also soups and salads, hand-spun shakes, and “sweet thangs,” or desserts.
