National Grilled-Cheese Month
April is National Grilled-Cheese Month (in case you were unaware…) and NY Magazine just came out with their list of the best places in NYC to pick up an oozy cheesy sandwich from Keller-crafted high to Kraft-oozing low.
If you’re in the city, go out and try them all (not in one day) and report back.
1. Bouchon Bakery
Thomas Keller, the best grilled-cheese man in town, eschews Kraft Singles for a pungent combo of Fontina and Gruyère that melts surprisingly well. But what really distinguishes this sandwich is the almost unnaturally uniform golden-brownness of the thick-sliced brioche bread. Like Mom, chef Keller serves it with a nice cup of tomato soup. $12.75; 10 Columbus Circle, at 59th St., third fl.; 212-823-9366.
2. Joe Jr.’s
This is a great example of the classic version, and the reason why grilled cheese, unlike ham salad, say, is worthy of National Month sandwich status. It’s made on a seasoned, grease-soaked griddle with a choice of Swiss, American, or Cheddar (get the American), white bread, and tomato and bacon if you like. It’s best enjoyed at the Formica counter while perusing the Yankees schedule posted on the wall. $3.85; 482 Sixth Ave., at 12th St.; 212-924-5220.
3. ’ino
No one smooshes bread and cheese in a panini press the way ‘ino does. They use three type of cheese — crotonese, cacio, and grana — and add a judicious drizzle of truffle oil. $9; 21 Bedford St., nr. Downing St.; 212-989-5769.
4. Tillman’s
The only upscale cocktail bar we know with a menu almost singularly devoted to grilled-cheese sandwiches. Our favorite is the classic American (pictured) gently tweaked with a dab of herb mayo and fresh basil and served with, yes, tomato soup. Pair with a Dark and Stormy. $12; 165 W. 26th St., nr. Seventh Ave.; 212-627-8320.
5. ’wichcraft
The thinking man’s grilled cheese: Fontina with black-trumpet mushrooms and white-truffle fondue on Pullman bread. $9; 60 E. 8th St., nr. Broadway; 212-942-4272.
6. The Green Table
Haute Barnyarders are not immune to the pleasures of the grilled-cheese sandwich: This ecologically minded Chelsea Market restaurant gets its raw-milk Cheddar from a small Vermont farm, and if that’s not local enough for you, the excellent sourdough bread comes from Amy’s across the hall. $10; 75 Ninth Ave., at 15th St.; 212-741-6623.
7. Artisanal
Using an English farmhouse Cheddar (Keen’s or Montgomery) might detract somewhat from the national part of National Grilled-Cheese Month, but this is still a fine sandwich, and it’s redeemed by excellent Wisconsin bacon and thin slices of Granny Smith apple. $14.50; lunch and brunch; 2 Park Ave., entrance on 32nd St.; 212-725-8585.
8. Little Giant
Ample smears of whole-grain mustard and a strategic smattering of pickled curry tomatillos take this hefty Gruyère-Cheddar melt from simple to sublime. $11; brunch only; 85 Orchard St., at Broome St.; 212-226-5047. — Rob Patronite & Robin Raisfeld
If anyone has tried any of the 8, let us know what your favorite (or least favorite) is.
4 comments so far
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Will Work For Food 
i love america grill cheese sandwiches come in different shapes sizes and flavors
heres one i use my george foreman grill buy french baguette and leave out over night till it gets a little tough
the kind with seeds in the crust are best
then slice the ends off an eat with butter while you make the grill cheese sandwhich
slice the rest of the baquette into 1/4 to 1/2 in.
slices brush the outer side of 50 cent size baquety with olive oil sprinkle with a little bit of salt and a little bit of garlic powder the salt and garlic (powder) are optional you can use any spice you like cilantro onion powder etc. then place baquey on george oil side down put on one small slice of swiss cheese in center of baquey (slice should be in center of baquey not touching edges) put other baquey on top oil side up and close george foreman lid and cook until grill lines are dark brown. serve with wedges of pink grapefruit that are lightly spinkled with garlic powder (not a joke) YUM
Garlic powder on grapefruit? Sounds interesting…I’ll have to give it a try.
[…] land, mixing/Memory and desire, stirring/Dull roots with spring rain.” Or maybe April is simply National Grilled Cheese month, with all the warm, gooey goodness that […]
Who doesn’t love a Grilled Cheese? It brings back wonderful childhood memories of comfort and love, fills you with warmth and can even help END WORLD HUNGER.
You may be wondering why I added that last bit, right? Well it’s true! FeelGood is an organization that uses the delightful taste of grilled cheese to help college students all over the country (and even in Mexico!) put their dollars towards ending world hunger! FeelGood is a non-profit student run deli that exchanges gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches for a donation that will, through The Hunger Project, go towards empowering people to write their own success stories.
The Hunger Project employs grass-roots tactics that gets people involved to build a community center with the things they most need to keep their families healthy and their communities thriving: birthing centers, pharmacies, agricultural centers, banks that give out micro finance loans and more.
Empowering college students, communities in Africa, India and beyond – creating PARTNERSHIP not CHARITY. So, tell me. Who wouldn’t love to do just that with their lunch?
For more information check out our website: FeelGoodworld.org
and The Hunger Project’s:
THP.org
Enjoy Grilled Cheese Month!