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Celebrate 'National Grilled Cheese Day' 2014 With L.A.'s Best Sandwiches

Kelli Shiroma |
April 11, 2014 | 4:53 p.m. PDT

Food Editor

The “Fontina Grilled Cheese” at Panera Bread features a savory medley of cheeses that ooze out of every bite (Kelli Shiroma / Neon Tommy).
The “Fontina Grilled Cheese” at Panera Bread features a savory medley of cheeses that ooze out of every bite (Kelli Shiroma / Neon Tommy).
What better way to celebrate “National Grilled Cheese Day”—or “National Grilled Cheese Month” for that matter—with some of the cheesiest concoctions in L.A.

Here are some of must-visit destinations to get your grilled cheese craving satisfied. 

PANERA BREAD – “Fontina Grilled Cheese”

The “Fontina Grilled Cheese” currently featured at Panera Bread includes Fontina, reduced-fat chive and onion cream cheese spread, Vermont white Cheddar and a four-cheese Italian blend melted together on all-natural white bread. Talk about cheesy goodness in every bite. For those wanting something a little more traditional, a “Classic Grilled Cheese” is also available. 

SLATER’S 50/50 – “Twice Grilled Cheese Sandwich”

The “Twice Grilled Cheese Sandwich” featured at Slater’s 50/50 includes an artisan sourdough bread stuffed with two types of melted Cheddar cheese and is topped with even more (fried) Cheddar cheese. This dangerously cheesy concoction is served with a homemade tomato basil soup. 

BEER BELLY – “The Beer Belly Grilled Cheese”

Described as a “quad-deck 4 x 4,” this grilled cheese sandwich at Beer Belly features Cheddar, Asiago, Goat and Gruyere cheeses with applewood smoked bacon and maple syrup, resulting in the perfect savory-sweet combo. 

THE GRILLED CHEESE TRUCK – Variety of Melts

A vast variety of sweet and savory grilled cheese melts are available at The Grilled Cheese Truck. For example, the “Pretzel Melt” features White Cheddar Cheese with red cabbage sauerkraut, sautéed peppers, horseradish and chicken bratwurst on pretzel bread, while “Roast Brie Melt” includes roast beef, caramelized onions, smoked tomatoes, horseradish and double cream brie on black peppercorn bread. The dessert melts include “Cheesycake Melt”—raspberry preserves, Oreo cookies and cheesecake chunks—and “S’more Melt,” comprising Nutella, crumbled graham crackers and marshmallows. 

MIX N’ MUNCH – “Mix Your Own” Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Mix ‘N Munch, a cereal bar and grilled cheese café located in Pasadena, features signature grilled cheese and cereal mixes, but customers can design their own grilled cheese sandwiches as well. While pre-set grilled cheese sandwiches include “Mix n’ Munch Breakfast Sammy”—bacon, fried egg, Cheddar and tater tots on Shepherd’s bread—and “MOP,” a combo of onions, mushrooms and Provolone on sourdough bread, for $3.75 customers can create their own sandwiches, selecting from an assortment of breads (sourdough, Texas toast, white, whole wheat, etc.); cheese (Cheddar, Mozzarella, Pepper Jack, Swiss, American, etc.); and mix-ins (veggies like pickles, jalapenos, spinach and tomatoes; or protein like spam, turkey and bacon). 

PARADISE COVE BEACH CAFÉ MALIBU – “X-Rated Grilled Cheese”

The “X-Rated Grilled Cheese” at Paradise Cove Beach Café is definitely something to fear. This mighty sandwich features three savory layers of American cheese topped with tomatoes and caramelized onions sandwiched between slices of slightly charred white bread toasted to perfection. 

HEYWOOD – Numerous Grilled Cheese Options 

This famous gourmet grilled cheese shoppe boasts a wide-ranging menu of all things grilled cheese. For example, the “Muy Caliente” features Jack and Fontina melted cheeses atop sliced jalapenos and fresh cream cheese served on sourdough bread topped with crunchy tortilla strips, while “The Inside Out” includes a sandwich featuring a Fontina cheese interior with a toasted Cheddar exterior along with an artisan bruschetta spread. Customers can also opt for the “Create Your Own Heywood” option and choose from an assortment of cheese (Fontina, English Cheddar, Cotswold, Blue cheese, etc.); bread (oat wheat, cinnamon raisin, country white, sourdough, etc.); fruits and veggies (avocado, sliced apples, tomatoes, etc.) and artisan spreads (pesto, fig jam, honey, etc.). 

MENDOCINO FARMS – “Ham & Gruyere Grilled Cheese” 

The “Ham & Gruyere Grilled Cheese” at Mendocino Farms presents grilled cheese with a gourmet twist. This scrumptious sandwich includes shaved Gruyere cheese and prime honey ham in a smoked gouda fondue (which adds to the savoriness) and is topped with Mendocino mustard and roasted tomatoes between slices of rustic white bread that’s grilled panini-style. 

FOOD LAB L.A. – “Grilled Cheese”

The “Grilled Cheese” on the menu at Food Lab L.A. features a variety of different cheeses. The featured cheese trio includes Gruyere, Tallegio and Raclette atop a five-grain bread coated with spread of grainy mustard and glazed onions. The various textures and flavors—crunchy, salty, savory, and slightly sweet—all at once is sure to keep you coming back for more. 

LOCAL – “3 Cheese Grilled Brioche Sandwich”

The “3 Cheese Grilled Brioche Sandwich” at Silverlake’s Local includes a savory trio of cheeses topped with oven-dried tomatoes and bits of caramelized onions.

The “Grilled Brioche, Croatian Fig Jam + Bacon” is one of the most popular items at Tom’s Urban (Kelli Shiroma / Neon Tommy).
The “Grilled Brioche, Croatian Fig Jam + Bacon” is one of the most popular items at Tom’s Urban (Kelli Shiroma / Neon Tommy).
TOM’S URBAN – “Grilled Brioche, Croatian Fig Jam + Bacon”

This contemporary take on grilled cheese is one of the hits on the menu at Tom’s Urban, located in L.A. LIVE. This twist on the grilled cheese features fontina, brie, Havarti, applewood smoked bacon and sweet Croatian jam between slices of fluffy, toasted Brioche bread.  

GLAZED DONUT BISTRO – “Triple the Cheese” 

“Triple the Cheese” is just one of the concoctions featured on the “savory” menu at Glazed Donut Bistro. This sweet-savory combo features Havarti, American and Swiss cheeses mixed with bacon jam and is served in a log roll. 

“People might not realize that the savory donuts are not glazed and they’re only lightly sweet,” says owner Harry Ben-Zvi. “The texture [of these sandwiches] is of a donut, but it tastes more like a sweet roll.”

INK.SACK – “Cheese”

The simply titled “Cheese” sandwich at ink.sack features Swiss cheese, camembert, argula, mayo and mostarda, resulting in a concoction bursting with texture and flavors. 

SWINGERS DINER – “Stuffed Grilled Cheese”

The “Stuffed Grilled Cheese” sandwich on the Swingers Diner menu is not for the faint of heart. This concoction features Cheddar and Jack cheeses, sliced tomatoes, grilled onions and homemade guacamole between slices of grilled sourdough. 

DOUGHBOYS CAFÉ & BAKERY – “The Monster”

“It’s big, it’s gooey, it’s messy and it’s great!” says the menu at Doughoys Café & Bakery of “The Monster” sandwich. This sandwich features a mound of grilled focaccia topped with grilled onions, mushrooms, roast beef and melted Swiss cheese. This sandwich is uniquely served open-faced, with diced tomatoes, horseradish sauce and shredded spinach. For the traditionalists out there, stick with the café’s “Grilled Cheese,” which includes butter-toasted French pan de mie bread filled with White Cheddar, Fontina and Swiss cheeses. 

COCO’S BAKERY & RESTAURANT – “Three Cheese Brie Melt”

This seasonal selection at Coco’s Bakery & Restaurant includes three delicious layers of melted Cheddar, Swiss and Brie cheese served on a toasted Brioche bread. This savory sandwich is served with crispy French Fries and a complementary, creamy tomato bisque soup. 

MELT IT! A GRILLED CHEESE CO. – Variety of Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Upon looking at the melt it! menu, customers might not be able to settle on just one sandwich. With choices like “Mojo”—sauteed bell peppers, caramelized onions, arugula, Cheddar cheese, red pepper aioli and roasted Yukon potatoes on a French roll—“Black Jack,” which includes tomatoes, Jack cheese, crispy bacon and chipotle aioli on rye;” or “Southbound,” featuring fried chicken, Monterey Jack, red cabbage coleslaw and buffalo wing sauce on a French roll. 

SYRUP DESSERTS – “Grilled Cheese”

A variety of grilled cheese options are available at Syrup Desserts. Traditionalists will opt for the “Classic Grilled Cheese,” which those who want sweeter cheese sandwiches can choose from selections like “Peanut Butter and Puff”—apples, gouda cheese, marshmallow fluff, Cuban bread and peanut butter, “Swedish Made” (lingonberries, Swiss cheese, Brie cheese and Cuban bread) and “Strawberry and Cheese,” including Nutella, strawberry jam and sweet mascarpone filling atop a croissant.

Reach Kelli Shiroma here or follow her on Twitter



 

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