Andy Montoya
Roxy's Grilled Cheese is a food truck-turned-restaurant that started in Boston, Massachusetts. It was founded by James DiSabatino and Marc Melanson, who is also the chef. Roxy's Grilled Cheese has been featured on Food Network's The Great Food Truck Race and Good Morning America. The food truck became so popular that it expanded into two restaurants, one in Allston and the other in Central Square, catering to a younger college-age crowd. The Allston location closed in November 2024, but the Central Square location and the food truck remain open.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Roxy's Grilled Cheese |
| Started in | Boston |
| Started by | James DiSabatino and Marc Melanson |
| Started as | A food truck |
| Food truck legality in Boston | Not legal |
| Food truck license | Obtained from Boston Parks Department |
| Food truck fame | Featured on Food Network's The Great Food Truck Race |
| Food | Grilled cheese sandwiches, burgers |
| Quirk | Taking grilled cheese to the next level by adding ingredients |
| Current status | Closed its Allston location, Central Square location open |
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What You'll Learn
Roxy's Grilled Cheese was started by James DiSabatino
After college, DiSabatino was unhappy with the prospect of having to wear a suit to work, so he decided to quit his job and start a business that would allow him to live off bread and cheese. He bought a food truck off Craigslist, but soon encountered a problem: food trucks were not yet legal in Boston. However, this did not deter him. He spent months calling every number on the city of Boston website until he convinced the Boston Parks Department to give him a food cart license. He then paid for the permit in full for the year, making it harder for them to take it back once they realized he had a truck and not a cart.
Roxy's Grilled Cheese quickly gained popularity in Boston, becoming the first food truck in the city to park on a city street. The unique and innovative grilled cheese sandwiches, such as the Green Muenster Melt and the Mighty Rib Melt, were a hit with customers, and the truck soon became a well-known name in the Boston food truck circuit. The success of the food truck led to the opening of two restaurants—one in Allston and the other in Central Square—which catered to a younger, college-age crowd.
The food truck has also received national attention, appearing on Food Network's The Great Food Truck Race and being featured on Good Morning America twice. Despite the success of Roxy's Grilled Cheese, the Allston location unfortunately closed in November 2024, leaving only the Central Square location open.
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Roxy's was Boston's first food truck
Roxy's Grilled Cheese is a well-known name in the Boston food truck scene. The story of Roxy's began with a man named James DiSabatino, who came up with the idea of a food truck serving grilled cheese sandwiches. At the time, food trucks were not legal in Boston, so DiSabatino had to get creative. He purchased a food cart license from the Boston Parks Department and managed to secure a permit for a year, allowing him to operate as the city's first food truck.
The concept for Roxy's Grilled Cheese was inspired by DiSabatino's travels with his brother Mike's punk band. They survived on a meagre budget, often eating bread and cheese from various countries. This simple yet delicious combination sparked the idea for a food truck specialising in grilled cheese sandwiches.
Roxy's Grilled Cheese quickly gained popularity and became a buzz in Boston and beyond. The food truck offered a variety of grilled cheese creations, including the Green Muenster Melt with muenster cheese, guacamole, and bacon, and the Mighty Rib Melt loaded with braised ribs, caramelized onions, and fontina cheese. They took a classic favourite and elevated it with unique and unexpected ingredients. The truck's success led to Roxy's being featured on Food Network's "The Great Food Truck Race" and even making two appearances on "Good Morning America".
Roxy's Grilled Cheese became a staple in the Boston food truck circuit, with long lines of customers eager to try their innovative sandwiches. The truck's fame and success paved the way for the opening of two brick-and-mortar restaurants, one in Allston and the other in Central Square, catering to a younger, college-age crowd. While the Allston location sadly closed in November 2024, the Central Square location remains open, continuing to serve the creative and delicious grilled cheese sandwiches that made Roxy's a household name in Boston.
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Roxy's has been featured on TV
Roxy's Grilled Cheese, which started as a food truck in Boston, has been featured on several TV shows and has gained a lot of buzz, both locally and nationally. The food truck has appeared on "Good Morning America" twice and has also been featured on Food Network's "The Great Food Truck Race." According to James DiSabatino, one of Roxy's co-owners, the truck was featured on the show just a month after they had opened.
Roxy's Grilled Cheese has become a well-known name in the Boston food truck scene, with people familiar with their logo featuring a modern emo-esque Wendy peeking out from behind her grilled cheese. The food truck has a unique and innovative menu, offering quirky takes on the classic grilled cheese sandwich. Their menu includes items such as the Green Muenster Melt, with muenster cheese, guacamole, and bacon, and the Mighty Rib Melt, loaded with braised ribs, caramelized onions, and fontina cheese.
The success of Roxy's Grilled Cheese can be attributed to a combination of factors, including their unique menu offerings, web-savvy marketing, and word-of-mouth popularity. Their culinary creations, such as the brie, prosciutto, and mango grilled cheese, have helped them stand out and gain attention.
Roxy's Grilled Cheese eventually expanded beyond the food truck, opening two restaurants in Allston and Central Square, catering to a younger college-age crowd. While the Allston location has since closed, the Central Square location remains open, along with the original food truck, which can still be found making its way around Boston and booked for private events.
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Roxy's offers quirky twists on grilled cheese
Roxy's Grilled Cheese is a popular food truck and restaurant in Boston, offering quirky twists on the classic grilled cheese sandwich. What started as a food truck serving grilled cheese sandwiches and burgers has now expanded into two restaurants, one in Allston and the other in Central Square, catering to a younger, college-age crowd.
The story of Roxy's began with a unique idea and a lot of perseverance. When food trucks were not yet legal in Boston, the founders spent a year convincing the Boston Parks Department to give them a food cart license. They purchased a permit for a full year, making it harder for the city to retract the license once they realized it was for a truck and not a cart. After passing their health inspection, Roxy's became the first food truck in Boston to park on a city street.
The grilled cheese sandwiches at Roxy's are anything but ordinary. While they offer the option of a classic grilled cheese, they are known for their creative combinations and quirky takes on this nostalgic food. Their menu includes unique ingredients like guacamole and bacon, braised ribs and caramelized onions, and fontina cheese. One of their specials featured brie, prosciutto, and caramelized mango, taking grilled cheese to the next level.
Roxy's has gained significant popularity, both locally and nationally. They have been featured on Food Network's "The Great Food Truck Race" and have made appearances on "Good Morning America." Their innovative culinary offerings and web-savvy marketing have created a buzz, with people lining up to try their delicious sandwiches.
Roxy's Grilled Cheese is an excellent example of how a simple idea can be transformed into a successful business with dedication and creativity. By adding their own quirky twists, they have elevated the classic grilled cheese and left their mark on the Boston food scene.
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Roxy's expanded from a food truck to two restaurants
Roxy's Grilled Cheese is a popular food truck in Boston, known for its innovative and delicious grilled cheese sandwiches. What started as a food truck has now expanded into two restaurants, one in Allston and the other in Central Square, catering to a younger, college-age crowd. The food truck itself came to be after one of the co-owners, James DiSabatino, bought a food truck off Craigslist, even though food trucks were not legal in Boston at the time. DiSabatino spent a significant amount of time convincing the Boston Parks Department to give him a food cart license and managed to become the first food truck in Boston to park on a city street.
The grilled cheese sandwiches at Roxy's are anything but ordinary, with unique combinations of ingredients that take the classic sandwich to the next level. For example, their Green Muenster Melt includes muenster cheese, guacamole, and bacon, while their Mighty Rib Melt is loaded with braised ribs, caramelized onions, and fontina cheese. Their creations have gained them a lot of buzz, both locally and nationally, and they have even appeared on television shows like Food Network's The Great Food Truck Race and Good Morning America.
Roxy's Grilled Cheese stands out not only for its food but also for its marketing and connection with customers. The co-owner, Marc Melanson, who is also the chef, believes in creating simple grilled cheese sandwiches with a unique twist, ensuring that the food is something people can connect with. Their logo, featuring a modern emo-esque Wendy, also adds to their distinct brand identity.
While the Allston location of Roxy's Grilled Cheese has unfortunately closed, the Central Square location, attached to Roxy's Arcade, remains open and continues to serve their famous grilled cheese sandwiches. The food truck is also still in operation, making its way around Boston and available for private events.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Roxy's Grilled Cheese started in Boston as a food truck.
Roxy's Grilled Cheese is a food truck and restaurant that serves grilled cheese sandwiches with quirky twists, such as adding guacamole and bacon.
Roxy's Grilled Cheese was started by James DiSabatino, who came up with the idea, and Marc Melanson, the chef and co-owner responsible for the grilled cheese creations. The food truck began when DiSabatino bought a food truck off Craigslist and convinced the Boston Parks Department to give him a food cart license, as food trucks were not yet legal in Boston.
The menu at Roxy's Grilled Cheese includes classic grilled cheese sandwiches as well as unique combinations. Some of their creations include the Green Muenster Melt (muenster cheese, guacamole, and bacon), the Mighty Rib Melt (braised ribs, caramelized onions, and fontina cheese), and a special featuring brie, prosciutto, and caramelized mango.
