April is National Grilled Cheese Month. In honor of all the gooey sandwiches we’ll undoubtedly be consuming in the coming weeks, here are 10 innovative grilled cheeses worth seeking out in the US.
Flamin’ Hot Doughnut Grilled Cheese
The Doughnut Project and Clinton Hall in New York City
The Doughnut Project and beer garden Clinton Hall are taking the food world by storm with their Flamin’ Hot Doughnut Grilled Cheese. It’s a habanero bacon doughnut that’s drenched in butter and layered with mozzarella before getting tossed on the grill. To top it off, it’s served hanging over a bowl of house-made tomato soup. A limited number of these beauties are available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at Clinton Hall until April 16.
Muenster Club
Roxy’s Grilled Cheese in Boston, Cambridge, and Lynnfield, Mass.
Roxy’s Muenster Club is a hot, melty mix of elements found in a classic club. With all-natural peppered turkey, North Country bacon, house-made guacamole, and Muenster, this monster sandwich is available on all of Roxy’s Grilled Cheese trucks and at their brick-and-mortar locations.
Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese
Boneyard Bistro in Los Angeles
This spicy variation from Boneyard Bistro contains jack, cheddar, cream cheese, crispy onions, and jalapeño strips. Pressed between two slices of crispy bread and served with shoestring spuds on the side, you’ll surely be satisfied with this sandwich.
The Voldemortadella
Cheese Wizards in Seattle
Concocted by the Cheese Wizards, the Voldemortadella features provolone, mozzarella, cream cheese, mortadella, salami, and black forest ham, all stuffed between slices of herbed olive muffuletta. (And naturally, it’s advertised as a sandwich just for Dark Lord followers.)
The Tenderizer
Cheesie’s Pub & Grub in Chicago and Evanston, Ill.
This popular sandwich from Cheesie’s combines two childhood favorites: grilled cheese (obviously) and chicken tenders. Cheddar and mozzarella make up the melty part, while bacon, hot sauce, and Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce are thrown in for good measure. Who says grilled cheese is just for kids?
Shrimp Remmy
The Big Cheezy in New Orleans
Photo courtesy of The Big Cheezy
The Big Cheezy pays homage to its hometown with this succulent sammie. Sautéed Louisiana Gulf shrimp is surrounded in melted gouda and Swiss, remoulade, and caramelized onions. This is quintessential NOLA in grilled cheese form.
Sweetest Thing
Grilled Cheese and Co. in Catonsville, Md.
For a less savory take, try the Sweetest Thing from Grilled Cheese and Co.; it’ll make you want to skip dinner and go straight to dessert. This sandwich is a balanced blend of Brie, raspberry mascarpone spread, and chocolate chips.
Grilled Cheese
Jaleo in Washington, D.C.
Don’t let its straightforward name fool you. The Grilled Cheese at Jaleo—owned by renowned chef José Andrés—elevates the American classic by adding a Spanish flair. Manchego, Murcia, Valdeón, and goat cheeses are sandwiched between rustic bread. Truffle oil and a side of honey aioli add decadence.
Cheesy Mac ‘n’ Rib
The Original Grilled Cheese Truck in Los Angeles
The Cheesy Mac ‘n’ Rib from The Original Grilled Cheese Truck is comfort food central. It’s bursting with mac and cheese, smoked BBQ pork, caramelized onions, and melted sharp cheddar on French bread. Want to spice it up? Order it with a special jalapeño crust, available for all of their sandwiches.
Gouda Grilled Cheese
The Queens Kickshaw in Astoria, N.Y.
The Queens Kickshaw is the place to get grilled cheese in this NYC borough, and their most adventurous toastie is called the Gouda. With pickled jalapeños, guava jam, black bean hummus, and gouda on brioche, this inspired sandwich is for foodies looking for a delicate balance of flavors and textures.
Feature Photo Credit: Cheesie’s Pub & Grub
Rachel E. McLean
Rachel is an editorial intern at culture for Spring 2017. She is Junior at Boston University studying Journalism and Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations. Known as "the cheese queen" among friends, she's had a passion for fromage from a young age.
