Most Tigerland goers know the bright yellow food truck that sits in between the House and JL’s: The Big Cheezy.
The Big Cheezy serves an array of cheese inspired sandwiches and dishes. One of their most popular treats is the Mac and Cheezy Melt, which is their four cheese bacon mac and cheese on country white bread. Now, the truck is opening a permanent restaurant on 144 W. Chimes St., the former home of Soulshine.
Blaize Romancik was the very first employee hired by the Big Cheezy when they opened their truck in front of Fred’s Bar in 2018. In 2019, Romancik bought the business from the owners and has been working since the fall of 2023 to open a permanent location. Romancik said its tentative opening date is at the end of the month.
“I always thought owning a restaurant and a food truck is similar,” Romancik said. “But so much more goes into opening this restaurant and every little thing we have to have right.”
Currently, the truck offers around 15 different sandwich options. With the new location, Romancik said they are hoping to add newer, “lighter” meals that people can stop by and grab for lunch. A turkey pesto grilled cheese, a patty melt, tomato basil soup and multiple variations of egg rolls are in the works.
Romancik said that due to constant demand, vegan and dairy free options might be available in the future.
“I don’t want to exclude anyone from being able to come to us. I want everyone to be able to buy a Big Cheezy sandwich,” Romancik said.
Romancik said that when the food truck first opened, he would be excited if they sold 30 to 40 sandwiches in a night. Now, after COVID-19 and with another location by Tiger Stadium during football season, he said that they are happy selling 100 to 300 sandwiches a night.
“After COVID, everyone wanted to party and go out more,” Romancik said.
The new location will sit the Big Cheezy in a vital spot in between the Revelry and Murphy’s, two popular bars for college students. Romancik said he is “super excited” about that close proximity. For the grand opening, Romancik said that they are planning on working partnerships with these bars, which can include $1 off a sandwich and other deals.
“We love partnering with small businesses and businesses around LSU,” Romancik said. “That’s how you grow, working with each other and aligning yourself with good business.”
LSU Greek Life has also done a substantial amount of work with the Big Cheezy and their catering services. Romancik said that even though he didn’t go to college and wasn’t a part of a fraternity, his goal is to not limit who his customers are. He said that they have catered for numerous private Greek events and helped donate their profits for philanthropy events.
“It’s nicer than having fast food because we’re really not fast food,” Romancik said. “We are a fast, casual quick service restaurant.”
Romancik’s “right hand man” Benjamin Vaughan has been working at the Big Cheezy since 2019. The two have known each other since middle school. Vaughan had been “bouncing” around from restaurants like the Chimes and George’s. With the new location being so close to his old places of occupation, Vaughan said that he is excited to see how it goes.
“The company is awesome because I feel like we have a good name for ourselves,” Vaughan said. “It’s exciting to see where it’s going to be next.”
Political science sophomore Kayla Horne went to the Big Cheezy for the first time her freshman year after a night out in Tigerland. Her first ever order there was the original choice of the Mac n’ Cheezy Melt. Horne said she is excited to have a new location closer to campus that can be accessible any time of the week.
“My first experience was actually life changing,” Horne said.
Until the permanent location opens, Romancik said to look out for the truck parked outside of the building that will be temporarily selling food. Their Instagram @bigcheezybr will continually give updates on the opening situation.
“For us, your food was made just for you, with love,” Romancik said.
