The next time you have a hankering for ooey gooey grilled cheese….

Creamy dreamy soups….

And comforting bowls of mac and cheese…

You better hit your brakes when you get to Cheesy Street.

With locations inside the Natick and Westborough service plazas, just off the Mass Pike, Cheesy Street Grill is the creation of founder Lisa Dowd, who felt that travelers needed something comforting and hearty when they were out on the road.

“Cheesy Street Grill is all about comfort foods. We serve gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, homemade macaroni and cheese. We have tater tots, soups, salads. You know, we tried to make people’s days much better. You know, they come in a little grumpy from the commute and we really try to change that. And they leave here with a smile not only from the food but you know, we treat them like family. You know, it sort of nostalgia.  I think everyone can relate to grilled cheese sandwiches. I know I have so many wonderful memories as a child coming in from sledding. Or maybe I was feeling blue or maybe under the weather. And my mom would make me a grilled cheese sandwich and a cup of tomato soup. And it was heavenly.  And once they try them, you’re like, Oh, my goodness. This is, you know, the best grilled cheese sandwich I ever had in my life. So they’re hooked and then they become regular customers here.”

And unlike your typical fast food experience, everything here is made to order.

“So we have a butter spreader here.  It’s a thing of beauty. It evenly distributes butter on our bread. American cheese.  And then over to the press.  Takes about 2 and a half minutes to get golden and gooey.”

Traditional grilled cheese eaters always go with the plain- smothered with plenty of good ol’ American Cheese which goes well with Tomato Bisque. 

“The perfect pair is a grilled cheese sandwich dipped in a couple of tomato soup. So we’ve kicked it up a notch where our tomato soup is a bisque so it has cream in it. And it does have some spice to it. So it really is just so full bodied and flavorful.”

The menu offers a little something for everyone, whether you want something simple like The Great Hambino- piled up with plenty of ham, Swiss and zesty Dijon….

To something more sophisticated like The All Star.

“The all star is one of my favorites. That is my baby. So it is goat cheese or homemade red wine, caramelized onions and fig jam. It is sweet and savory. It’s decadent. It really is just wonderful.”

For something south of the border spicy- try the addictively delicious Chipotle Chicken.

“Once people try it. They really get hooked on it. And they will not deviate from ordering anything else on the menu. It is chicken, cheddar cheese. Bacon, tomato and chipotle mayo.  The flavor combinations are just phenomenal and it really does melt in your mouth.”

If you happen to be by the Westboro location, The Big Melt is bound to melt in your mouth.

“At our Westboro store, we have a wonderful grilled cheese sandwich called the big melt. It is seasoned ground beef,  cheddar cheese, pickles, and Thousand Island dressing. So it is our take on the backyard hamburger. I am a big fan of thousand island dressing and pickles. So it’s got the crunch and it’s got the burger taste and the gooeyness of the cheddar cheese. So it is you know, it’s unique. So yummy.”

And carnivores can get their fill at either location, if you go Cheesy Street’s Beefy Blue sandwich smothered in blue cheese and red wine caramelized onions.

“The prime rib is just so tender and melts in your mouth. And, you know, the combination of the blue cheese and onions it is to die for.”

And then there’s the ‘Get Shorty’ which combines slow-cooked short ribs with mac and cheese and stacks them on a sandwich.

“Boneless beef short ribs are just so delicious and tender and juicy. And combined with our homemade macaroni and cheese. It really is a winner. And people really get hooked on that one.  It is magically gooey.”

All of that macaroni gooey goodness is also available on its own.  But be warned, it’s addictive.

“Our macaroni and cheese, it’s homemade….It is made with real cream and real cheese….It is the real deal. And it really is very rich. I have many friends that actually call it Mac and crack because people get hooked on it.”

And the carbs keep coming- with satisfying smothered tots available as a side. 

“We do baked tater tots so a little healthier than frying them and our customers can either have them playing or they can dress them up. They are just so delicious. And people really love them. “

And more than that, people really love to know that whether they’re travelling east or west, they can fill up on the best at Cheesy Street Grill. 

“Anyone can do a grilled cheese sandwich, but we want to do it right. And we want to get that wow factor. When our customers try a grilled cheese sandwiches. And it’s pride.  But it makes it so worthwhile when we see our customers happy with our product.”