Grilled cheese might seem like the simplest sandwich in the world, but the restaurants on this list have turned it into something genuinely special. These places have figured out that the right bread, the right cheese blend, and a few unexpected ingredients can completely change the game.
Some of these spots have dedicated their entire menus to melted cheese creations, while others have developed one standout version that keeps people coming back. A few have even won national competitions or earned coverage on major food networks, which tells you just how seriously they take a sandwich that most of us grew up eating after school.
From Arkansas to Delaware, these 14 restaurants have earned their reputation one golden, cheese-filled sandwich at a time. Read on to find out which one might be worth a road trip.
1. Hammontree’s Grilled Cheese, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Hammontree’s has been quietly raising the bar for grilled cheese in Fayetteville for over 15 years, and the menu proves it at every turn. Located near the University of Arkansas and Dickson Street, this place treats the sandwich with the same seriousness a chef might give a fine dining entree.
The “Pig Sooie” is a fan favorite, loaded with BBQ pulled pork, caramelized onions, smoked bacon, jalapenos, and sharp Cheddar on jalapeno cornbread. The “Brie’s Company” goes a more refined route with grilled apple, brie, Gouda, and fig jam on sourdough.
For the truly decisive, there is also a build-your-own option with 26 cheese varieties, eight meats, and seven sauces. Vegan cheese and gluten-free bread are available too.
The restaurant operates Monday through Saturday, 11 AM to 9:30 or 10 PM, with a relaxed patio setting that fits the Fayetteville vibe perfectly.
2. Cheesie’s Pub & Grub, Chicago, Illinois
Chicago’s first dedicated grilled cheese restaurant did not just fill a gap in the market. Cheesie’s Pub & Grub turned that gap into a full-blown late-night institution, complete with arcade games and a menu that refuses to play it safe.
“The OG” keeps things classic with American and Merkts Cheddar Cheese Spread on thick Texas toast, best enjoyed with a side of zesty tomato soup. “The Mac” layers house-made macaroni and cheese alongside those same cheeses, while “The Tenderizer” adds fried chicken tenders and tendy sauce to the mix.
The Lakeview location at 958 W Belmont Ave runs Sunday through Thursday from 11 AM to 2 AM, and Friday through Saturday until 3 AM. For the competitive eater, the “Mega Cheesie’s Challenge” involves a 16-inch, 8-pound grilled cheese that very few people have conquered.
This is comfort food taken to its logical, glorious extreme.
3. The Grilled Cheeserie, Nashville, Tennessee
A food truck with a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef behind the wheel was always going to become something bigger. The Grilled Cheeserie, founded by Crystal De Luna-Bogan and Joseph Bogan, grew from Nashville’s streets into a permanent East Nashville destination that has been voted “Best Food Truck” by the Nashville Scene for ten consecutive years.
The “Pimento Mac and Cheese Melt” is the signature draw, combining house-made pimento cheese, Cheddar, macaroni, tomato, and Benton’s bacon bits on country white sourdough. The “Quesabirria Melt” takes a bolder turn with white Cheddar, birria beef, and cumin-lime aioli, served with a beef consomme dipping jus.
A Food Network “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” feature helped cement its national reputation. Located at 975 Main St in Hunters Station, the restaurant is open seven days a week from 11 AM to 9 PM, with vegan and gluten-free options available.
4. Spenard Roadhouse, Anchorage, Alaska
Not every great grilled cheese needs a dozen ingredients to make its point. Spenard Roadhouse in Anchorage makes a convincing case for restraint, building its version around sharp Cheddar and Havarti on sourdough from the local French Oven Bakery.
Optional add-ons like grilled apple or crispy bacon let diners nudge the sandwich in their preferred direction, whether that means leaning into something sweet or keeping it savory. Paired with the restaurant’s creamy tomato basil soup, it becomes the kind of warming, well-balanced meal that makes a lot of sense in Anchorage’s climate.
Spenard Roadhouse positions itself as an “upscale comfort food” destination, with a menu that extends to burgers, brunch, and happy hour. The restaurant at 1040 W Northern Lights Blvd typically opens at 11 AM on weekdays and runs into the evening, with extended weekend hours that reflect how popular it has become with locals.
5. Sunny Side Kitchen, Escondido, California
Parmesan on the outside of a grilled cheese is one of those small decisions that changes everything. Sunny Side Kitchen in Escondido figured that out and built one of its most talked-about menu items around it, pressing Havarti and Muenster onto seasoned sourdough and finishing the whole thing with a crisp Parmesan crust.
The result sits comfortably between a classic grilled cheese and an artisan cafe panini, satisfying fans of both without fully committing to either. It is the kind of sandwich that earns the loyal repeat customers this Escondido spot has built up over time.
Beyond grilled cheese, the menu covers fresh sandwiches, salads, and breakfast items, with an emphasis on quality ingredients. The restaurant at 155 S Orange St maintains a bright, inviting atmosphere that makes it equally appealing for a quick weekday lunch or a more relaxed weekend meal.
Service is consistently praised by regulars as friendly and efficient.
6. Ms. Cheezious, Miami, Florida
A restaurant that grew from a food truck into a Miami institution has earned the right to put its name in lights, and Ms. Cheezious wears its identity proudly. The menu is built around the idea that grilled cheese should never be boring, and every sandwich backs that up.
The BBQ Pulled Pork version is the standout, pairing tender pulled pork with sharp Cheddar for something that is rich, satisfying, and considerably messier than anything from a childhood lunchbox. The “Goat Cheese and Prosciutto” melt adds guava paste to the mix, while the “Grilled Blue and Bacon” leans into bold flavors with blue cheese and green onions.
Custom builds are available too, with a selection of cheeses, proteins, and sauces. Located at 1915 NE 15th Ave, Ms. Cheezious keeps late hours that make it a popular option for dinner and beyond.
Reviewer after reviewer highlights the friendly staff and reliably excellent sandwiches as the main reasons they keep returning.
7. The Wheel Barrel, Topeka, Kansas
Grape jelly and powdered sugar on a grilled cheese might raise an eyebrow, but The Wheel Barrel in Topeka has made that combination one of its most talked-about menu items. The Monte Cristo brings together brie, Swiss, ham, turkey, and grape jelly on country white bread, finished with a dusting of powdered sugar that turns the whole thing into a sweet-and-savory balancing act.
For those who prefer to stay in more familiar territory, “The Mac and Cheese” layers house-made mac with bacon on sourdough, and “The Reuben” covers the Swiss, corned beef, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing combination on rye. Each option reflects a kitchen that genuinely enjoys experimenting with the format.
Located at 901 N Kansas Ave, the restaurant pairs its creative menu with a relaxed atmosphere and a selection of local and regional beverages. Hours run from lunch into the evening throughout the week, making it a flexible choice for Topeka diners looking for something a step beyond ordinary comfort food.
8. Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Two national grilled cheese invitational wins are not something a restaurant stumbles into by accident. Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese in Coeur d’Alene has earned its reputation by treating the sandwich as a serious culinary challenge, not a side note.
The “Ultimate Meltz,” the 2014 national winner, stacks white Cheddar, mozzarella, provolone, fontina, goat cheese, and Gorgonzola into one impressive creation. The 2013 winner, the “Potsticker Meltz,” features provolone, pepper jack, pork, garlic, ginger, soy, scallion, sesame, and fried wonton with a sriracha-chili aioli.
Thrillist named Meltz one of the best sandwich shops in America in 2018, and the menu backs that up with creations like the “Huckleberry Heaven” and the loaded “Oinker Sandwich.” Custom builds are also available. The Coeur d’Alene location at 1735 W Kathleen Ave is open Monday through Saturday 11 AM to 8 PM, and Sunday 10 AM to 2 PM.
9. The Fountain on Locust, St. Louis, Missouri
Art deco decor, vintage charm, and a grilled cheese with sliced apple might not seem like an obvious combination, but The Fountain on Locust makes it work beautifully. This St. Louis landmark has a retro-inspired interior that sets the stage for a menu equally committed to personality and quality.
The “Royal Grille” is the grilled cheese to order here, built with a blend of white Cheddar and mozzarella alongside thinly sliced apple on whole-grain bread. The apple adds a gentle sweetness that keeps the sandwich from feeling heavy, making it a good fit for a leisurely lunch rather than a rushed meal.
The restaurant at 3037 Locust St also offers artisanal ice cream and specialty beverages, giving the overall experience a playful, old-fashioned quality that regulars clearly appreciate. Hours run from late morning through the evening, accommodating both lunch and dinner crowds who come as much for the atmosphere as for the food.
10. Black Mtn. Burger Co., Lincoln, New Hampshire
A pretzel roll filled with goat cheese, brie, smoked bacon, and blueberry jam is not what most people expect from a place with “Burger” in the name. Black Mtn.
Burger Co. in Lincoln, New Hampshire, seems to enjoy that element of surprise, and the BMBC Grilled Cheese has become one of the most memorable items on a menu that already has plenty going for it.
The combination of tangy cheeses, smoky bacon, and sweet blueberry jam inside the pretzel roll creates a flavor profile that is genuinely distinctive. It is also a particularly fitting choice after a day spent exploring the nearby White Mountains, when something hearty and a little indulgent hits exactly right.
Located at 168 Main St, the restaurant offers a casual, family-friendly atmosphere that works well for both travelers and locals. Hours typically cover lunch through dinner, and guests regularly single out the grilled cheese as an unexpected highlight worth ordering even at a burger-focused spot.
11. The Mule, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
The Macaroni Pony at The Mule is not trying to be subtle, and that is entirely the point. This Oklahoma City sandwich stacks creamy macaroni and cheese with BBQ pulled pork and tangy pickles, then seals the whole thing between slices of jalapeno cornbread for a result that is part grilled cheese, part barbecue plate, and part comfort food fantasy.
The rest of the menu follows the same generous philosophy. The “Fancy Pants” brings together smoked turkey, bacon, Swiss, and cranberry aioli, while appetizers and sides are designed to round out a meal that was never going to be a light one.
Every item reflects a kitchen that takes bold flavors seriously.
Located at 1630 N Blackwelder Ave, The Mule maintains a lively, energetic atmosphere that matches the ambition of its food. The restaurant runs from late morning to late evening, giving diners plenty of time to work up an appetite worthy of what the kitchen is putting out.
12. The Grilled Cheese Bistro, Norfolk, Virginia
Downtown Norfolk has a restaurant where the children’s menu is not where grilled cheese lives. At The Grilled Cheese Bistro, the sandwich is the main event, and the menu is built to prove that it deserves that status without apology.
“The Hangover” is the signature showpiece: black truffle mac and cheese with additional Cheddar pressed between sourdough slices. It is unapologetically indulgent and exactly the kind of discovery that makes exploring a new city worthwhile. “The Chesapeake” takes a regional approach with crab meat and Old Bay seasoning, while “The Caprese” offers a lighter option with mozzarella, tomato, and basil pesto.
Situated at 345 Granby St, the bistro has a modern, welcoming interior that suits both a casual lunch and a more deliberate dinner outing. Hours vary throughout the week but cover both meal periods.
Reviews consistently highlight the creative menu and the quality of the sandwiches as the main reasons guests make a return visit.
13. Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, Seattle, Washington
Ordering grilled cheese from a place that actually makes the cheese on-site is one of those experiences that changes how you think about the sandwich. Beecher’s Handmade Cheese at Pike Place Market does exactly that, and its Flagship cheese gives the grilled cheese a rich, nutty character that pre-packaged options simply cannot replicate.
The Flagship’s distinctive flavor comes from a blend of Cheddar and Gruyere cultures, developed through Beecher’s in-house cheesemaking process. Guests can watch that process through large windows at the 1600 Pike Pl location, which adds a layer of context that makes the sandwich taste even better once it arrives.
Beyond the classic Flagship version, the menu also includes a “Just Jack” grilled cheese and a widely praised macaroni and cheese that has developed its own following. Beecher’s operates daily from morning into early evening, fitting naturally into a Pike Place Market visit for locals and tourists alike who want to eat something genuinely made from scratch.
14. Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Dogfish Head built its reputation on pushing boundaries, and that creative instinct extends well beyond what is in the glass. At Brewings and Eats in Rehoboth Beach, the kitchen has put together a grilled cheese that earns its place on a menu known for clever combinations.
The sandwich pairs Cheddar and brie on sourdough with crispy bacon, tart Granny Smith apple slices, fresh arugula, and a drizzle of honey. That lineup covers creamy, smoky, tart, and sweet in a single sandwich, making it more complex than most pub food without losing the comfort-food appeal that makes grilled cheese worth ordering in the first place.
Located at 320 Rehoboth Ave, the restaurant runs from lunchtime into the late evening, drawing a consistent crowd of both locals and visitors. The broader menu takes inspiration from the brewing side of the operation, offering pub-style dishes with a creative edge.
Guests frequently note that the food holds its own as a destination in its own right.
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