WICKER PARK — After more than a year of anticipation, Cheesie's Pub & Grub plans to open in Wicker Park on New Year's Eve.
On Wednesday, owner Chris Johnston called the journey to opening his third and largest location at 1365 N. Milwaukee Ave. "exhausting" but seemed nevertheless pumped, with a just-received liquor license in hand.
Hours for New Year's Eve at Cheesie's will be 5 p.m. Thursday to 4 a.m. Friday, according to a post on the restaurant's Facebook page.
Johnston said that beer sales from the 12-tap bar will stop at 2 a.m. Friday, but the kitchen will be open as late as New Year's Eve revelers need it after leaving area bars.
The Wicker Park menu offers 12 super-loaded sandwiches, including the signature fried chicken and BBQ "tenderizer," plus a new sandwich, "The Edgar" that's just for Wicker Park, Johnston said.
The Edgar features pulled pork with Provolone and white cheddar cheese, fried pickles and fried onion ring topped with barbeque sauce on Texas toast.
Craft beers on tap include Founders Dirty Bastard, Sweet Water Hop Hash, Not Your Father's Root Beer and Begyle's Johnny Bravo, among others.
Last December Johnston released details on his plan to open the Cheesie's location alongside a whiskey, poutine and burger bar called "Whiskey Business."
The Wicker Park Cheesie's follows a Lakeview spot that opened in 2011 at 958 W. Belmont Ave. as well as an Evanston outpost and a food truck.
Whiskey Business, Johnston said, will likely open in mid-January.
Hailed by Esquire magazine readers as offering "the most life-changing grilled cheese in America," Cheesie's will join the recently opened Columbus Curry and neighbors Emporium Arcade Bar, Antique Taco and Harold's Chicken.
Cheesie's Pub & Grub, 1365 N. Milwaukee Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily. Ph: 773-698-7227.
Cheesie's Wicker Park Menu [Photos by DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser]
"Goonie's" and Gremlin-inspired art along the walls at Cheesie's.
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