Fo’ Cheezy leaves downtown St. Pete

Celebrity Chef Robert Hesse has abruptly closed Fo’ Cheezy’s downtown St. Petersburg location to focus on new culinary opportunities.

According to a Tuesday evening social media post, the departure from 111 3^rd St. N. is “effective immediately.” Hesse’s artisan-style, gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches will remain available at the original St. Pete Beach location and from the food truck that started a local phenomenon.

Hesse – widely known for his two seasons on the hit cooking show Hell’s Kitchen – opened the hip-hop-themed restaurant to much fanfare Oct. 23, 2021. After a nearly two-and-a-half-year run, he and business partners Chris Arnold and Mark Cammilleri apologized to “all our dope customers.”

“We have enjoyed being a part of and serving the downtown community, and thank you for all your support,” they wrote. “This decision was not made lightly, but in doing so, we are able to pursue some exciting new ventures we know you will find just as dope.”

Hesse was not immediately available for comment.

The social media announcement came about six hours after another post on Fo’ Cheezy’s Facebook account seemingly suggested Chef Hesse is opening a rock ‘n’ roll-themed food truck. A video clip, captioned “Coming Soon Tampa FL,” shows a hamburger grilling over open flames.

According to the post, an “all-new concept and rolling food truck is coming like a bat out of hell, and it’s going to rock. Chef Robert (Hesse) and the boys has (sic) put the band together, and it’s time to shred N’ melt some faces.”

Dozens of followers expressed excitement for the new concept and relief that the St. Pete Beach location will remain open. The downtown departure follows a Jan. 30 post to Hesse’s personal Facebook page, where he publicly announced that he had two consecutive “major” heart attacks in 2023.

Hesse, before he underwent a dramatic weight loss, receives an earful from Chef Gordon Ramsey on the TV show Hell’s Kitchen.

Hesse, who also appeared on the Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay, wrote that the “art of being a chef has consequences and consumes one’s life.” He stressed the importance of finding balance and said the health issues “put things into perspective.”

“It’s time to not only make sure my professional career is healthy but my body and mind as well …,” Hesse wrote. “Choosing to be addicted to wealth has ultimately put me in this position. If it was not for my family and closest circle, I would have certainly not be (sic) here today.”

Hesse returned to his native city in March 2020 and bought his childhood home in South St. Pete’s Childs Park neighborhood. He then launched the Fo’ Cheezy Twisted Meltz food truck.

Billed as “not yo’ mama’s grilled cheese,” the gourmet sandwiches with unique ingredients and an urban flair became a hit. A popular St. Pete Beach restaurant followed in August 2020, and lines stretched around the block when the downtown St. Petersburg location opened in October 2021.

At the grand opening, Hesse expressed pride that his company remained debt-free during the pandemic. He also stressed that 2% of all proceeds benefited his charitable foundation – No Kid 86’ed. The restaurant industry term refers to an item that is no longer available.

Local muralist Matt Kress adorned the downtown location’s walls with portraits of rap icons like Tupac Shakur, Biggie Smalls and Slick Rick. Hesse and Munroe spent about six months designing the interior, which included a custom lowrider bicycle hanging from the ceiling, gold-spoked rims and a front bumper from a 1960s Chevrolet Impala.

In November 2022, Hesse told the Catalyst that he planned to open Fo’ Cheesy franchises nationwide. He said new food truck concepts were coming soon and expressed a desire to return to fine dining.

In September 2023, Hesse announced he signed a three-year deal with the Tampa Bay Rays to operate multiple Fo’ Cheesy outposts in Tropicana Field. It remains unclear if he will shelve his growth plans.

“If we grow too fast, then we lose touch with everything,” said the philanthropically-minded chef in a previous interview. “I advocate for the underdog because I was the underdog.”

Chef Robert Hesse, co-founder of Fo’ Cheezy, hosted a special charity dinner in December 2022 at the downtown St. Petersburg location. Photo: Facebook.