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Grilled cheese + Suamico = ooey-gooey perfection

By Katie Leach
Correspondent


SUAMICO – Beer and cheese – can’t get much more Wisconsin than that, right?

888 Cheese & Co., located in the former Taco John’s off Lineville in Suamico, opened at the end of last year next to Ahnapee Brewery.

The lifelong dream of owners Juan and Brandy Hernandez, 888 is the area’s only grilled cheese-inspired restaurant.

“Wisconsin is known for cheese, and grilled cheese is a staple comfort food growing up for most from the area,” Brandy said. “So we took it a step further and made it fun and different. There is not a grilled cheese restaurant in the surrounding area.”

The dream

Both chefs by trade, Juan and Brandy have been working in the industry for more than 20 years.

It’s safe to say they are excited to finally be able to open their own restaurant.

“We are at the point in life where we can have fun with our work now,” Brandy said. “So, we plan to have it.”

888’s journey started in October.

“We have been waiting for about two years for a spot to open up on Lineville,” Brandy said. “We are Suamico natives and wanted to keep our family and our business close by.”

As if things were meant to be, Brandy said the timing just worked out.

“We have always wanted a restaurant of our own, we just needed the timing to be right,” she said. “We now have all adult children with the last one graduating from Bay Port this year.”

So, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple took the leap.

They said starting a business, especially in the middle of a pandemic, can bring challenges.

Whether it’s picking out a location, choosing the cuisine, or hiring staff – 888 Cheese & Co. has gone through it all.

“Honestly, we were worried about (staffing), until the power of social media paid off,” Brandy said. “We got numerous local students to fill the roles of our front counter positions. Any day after 4 p.m., you will see at least one Bay Port student here.”

Brandy said the hardest position to fill right now is a cook position. 

“We have them all filled currently, but because of the volume of restaurants vs. cooks/chefs, it took a little bit to get some talent into this position,” she said.

Brandy said the restaurant’s biggest draw for employees is word of mouth, social media, and 888’s story.

“We made sure to market the place as fun and trendy, which always helps,” she said.

Brandy said 888 currently has 10, with a possible full staff of 15-20, once volumes pick up.

Behind the name

The story behind the restaurant’s name is as unique as its menu.

The cheesy duo said they believe fate had much to do with the name.

“The number – 888 – follows us and always brings good luck to us, so we had to bring it here,” Brandy said.

To say the number 888 has followed the Hernandezs throughout their life together would be an understatement.

The pair started dating Aug. 8, 2008 – 888 for short.

Sticking with the “lucky” number, they were married on Aug. 8, 2014 – 88 for short.

Just wait, it doesn’t stop there.

“We built a house a few minutes north of Suamico, and did not have the fire number until we went to sign our papers,” Brandy said. “And, 888 was the number we received. We had a Chinese exchange student at the time that called it fate and a very lucky number in her home county.  The number follows us and always brings good luck to us, so we had to bring it here and use it in the name.”

The food

The classic cheese between two slices of bread takes on a whole new meaning at 888 Cheese & Co.

As its name suggests – the company with the cheese sets 888’s ooey-gooey creations apart.

Its claim to fame – “serving up sandwiches, beer and wine with a modern farmhouse vibe.”

From the Classic 888 and B.R.A.T. to the Mac Daddy and G.O.A.T., 888 has a little something for everyone.

“We love them all, but that is what we are supposed to say,” Brandy said. “Our customers love the B.R.A.T, the Classic 888, the Dozo and the Chicken and Waffles… but they are all equally great. We just have not been open long enough for a true winner yet.”

She said the restaurant also offers gluten-free options, and plans to offer vegan options in the near future.

“We want something for everyone,” she said.

Brandy said the restaurant’s service is also unique unto itself.

“You order at the counter, take a number and a seat, (then) we bring the food and check on you for desserts and more drinks if needed,” she said. “It helps us reduce the amount of time you are waiting for a server, but has the same amount of touches you would traditionally see with a server-based system.  It allows for less mistakes, because you see your order as it is taken and rung in.”

The Hernandezes said the restaurant pairs with other local businesses, women-owned businesses and small breweries as much as possible – bread from Uncle Mike’s Bakery, beer from Ahnapee Brewery, cheese from Springside.

The interior

It’s no surprise, the interior of 888 is cheese-inspired.

“It is based on anything to do with cheese,” Brandy said. “You will see fun cow paintings on the walls, stations from a family farm from the early dairy farm days. The colors are yellow, for cheese of course, and some fun plays of blue for the countryside skyline. All of the décor is natural and dairy/cheese-themed.”

The Hernandezes said their goal with 888 is to have fun, stay close and grow.

“We are at the point in life where we can have fun with our work now, so we plan to have it,” Brandy said.

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