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Gayle V’s Best Ever Grilled Cheese
$ · Hidden Gems 

108 N State St, Chicago, IL 60602
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ZipPicks Awards

Best Hidden Gem Restaurants in Loop

Vibe Check this spot

Food Quality 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Consistency 5
Cultural Relevance 5

0 / 5 selected

Master Critic Review

Gayle V’s Best Ever Grilled Cheese 7.6
Loop
Vibes: Comfort Food Classics Quick Bites Champions Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance Hidden Gems Heaven
A lower-level Block 37 comfort-food counter for gooey, straightforward grilled-cheese satisfaction. It’s a practical stop when you want something hot, fast, and reliably nostalgic—especially paired with soup.
Must-Try Dishes: Classic grilled cheese, Tomato soup, Loaded grilled cheese (add-ons)
Scores:
Value: 7.9 Service: 7.4 Consistency: 7.6 Food Quality: 7.7 Atmosphere: 6.2 Cultural Relevance: 7
What makes it special: A simple, satisfying grilled-cheese counter hidden in Block 37.
Who should go: Comfort-food seekers who want quick and hot.
When to visit: Mid-afternoon for lighter lines and faster service.
What to order: Classic grilled cheese, tomato soup, a loaded add-on build.
Insider tip: Pair with soup—keeps it filling without over-ordering.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Block 37 is in the heart of the Loop—street parking is limited and can be tough during weekday business hours. Best move is nearby paid garages around State St / Randolph area or quick in-and-out rideshare/drop-off at Block 37 entrances.
Dress code: Ultra casual—jeans, sneakers, coats still on is totally normal. This is a grab-and-go comfort-food stop, not a sit-down scene.
Noise level: Moderate - food court / mall hum. You can talk easily, but it’s not a quiet café vibe.
Weekend wait: 10-20 min typical, can spike to 20-30 min during peak shopping/event traffic
Weekday lunch: 5-15 min typical, fastest before 12:00 or after 1:30
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - easy. The classic grilled cheese + tomato soup combo is the default move, and most add-ons can be done meat-free.
Vegan options: Limited - grilled cheese is dairy-forward. Ask staff if any dairy-free cheese/bread options are available that day, but expect this to be a tough fit for strict vegans.
Gluten-free options: Limited - grilled cheese is bread-based. If they have GF bread, it may be availability-dependent; otherwise this is not a reliable gluten-free stop.
Best For
Better for: Hot, gooey grilled-cheese nostalgia that’s fast, affordable, and filling—especially when you pair it with soup for a full meal without spending sit-down money.
Consider Alternatives If: Skip it if you want a true dine-in experience, quiet conversation, or strong dietary flexibility (vegan/gluten-free). Also skip if you hate messy eats—this one’s best when you can commit to melty cheese and immediate bites.