As a self-confessed cheese enthusiast, my life revolves around the glorious world of fromage. From exploring European cheese caves to experimenting with homemade paneer, my passion for cheese knows no bounds. So, when the opportunity arose to review Fo Cheezy Twisted Meltz in St. Pete Beach, I was eager to dive in. Before heading out, like any beach-goer in St. Pete Beach, checking the “St Pete Beach Cam” is almost a ritual to gauge the beach conditions and crowd. Knowing the vibe of St. Pete Beach helps set the stage for any local experience, and today, it was setting the stage for some cheesy indulgence.
Stepping Back into the ’90s
Fo’Cheezy embraces a distinct “comfort food” concept with a playful, almost stoner-esque twist. The atmosphere is a vibrant throwback to the ’90s, complete with iconic decor and walls adorned with graffiti art by the talented St. Pete muralists, the Vitale Bros. The menu itself is a nostalgic journey, reimagining classic favorites like grilled cheese sandwiches, Twinkies, cookie dough balls, and PB&Js. Alongside these, you’ll find tempting sides like cheese curds, apple pies, tater tots, and French toast. It’s an extensive offering that borders on carnival fare, just a milkshake away from a full-blown fairground experience.
The star of the show, the grilled cheese sandwiches, are generously filled, almost to the point of excess. While the creative ingredient combinations – such as bierria beef short rib, green chili dijonnaise, and bahn mi slaw – are intriguing, they seemed to push the boundaries of a classic grilled cheese a bit too far in an attempt to be trendy. Sandwiches like the Seoul Brother ($16) with Korean BBQ and the Cluck Norris ($16) felt like a stretch from the comforting simplicity one expects. In my opinion, the menu leans towards elevated food truck offerings rather than truly refined comfort food.
Decoding Fo’Cheezy’s Comfort: A Stoner Food Perspective
I opted for the Cheesy Caprese ($15), a creation featuring Buffalo mozzarella, provolone, whipped ricotta, basil pesto, bruschetta tomatoes, pickled red onions, and balsamic syrup, all nestled between slices of butter-soaked sourdough. The pickled onions provided a welcome tangy contrast, cutting through the richness of the multiple cheeses. The flavor profile was almost harmonious, yet the pervasive greasiness left an unpleasant film in my mouth after each bite. This greasy sensation detracted significantly from the overall enjoyment, a sensation I’ve never associated with a grilled cheese before.
To further explore the menu, I also sampled the Mac Daddy Rolls ($8). These consisted of two substantial egg rolls packed with mac and cheese, coated in crushed Cheetos, and served with honey barbecue sauce. Perhaps under different circumstances, possibly after enjoying the St. Pete Beach nightlife scene that the “st pete beach cam” might catch glimpses of later in the evening, these might have been more appealing. However, I found the egg roll wrappers to be undercooked and chewy, and the mac and cheese itself lacked sufficient seasoning. Furthermore, they were quite messy to eat.
For those seeking the complete carnival-esque indulgence, the Dough Boyz ($9) are worth considering. These are Fo’Cheezy’s chocolate chip cookie egg rolls dusted with churro seasoning, drizzled with salted caramel hot fudge, topped with whipped cream, Oreo crumbs, and a cookie crisp. Alternatively, the hand-spun milkshakes ($10 each), such as the Butterface with vanilla ice cream, Nutella, chopped Butterfingers, and whipped cream, promise an intense sugar rush.
Ultimately, if you are a devoted fan of dairy and carbohydrates – and who isn’t, at least occasionally? – Fo’Cheezy might just be your kind of place. Just remember to check the “st pete beach cam” for the beach conditions before or after your visit to make the most of your St. Pete Beach experience.
Fo’Cheezy Twisted Meltz, 6305 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. Sun. – Thurs., 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Fri. – Sat., 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. 727-827-7677, focheezy.com
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