There is something so perfect about the grilled cheese sandwich: pairing warm, buttery, toasty bread with gooey, melty cheese. And as a picky-eater growing up, grilled cheese was the end-all meal for me. I always ordered it at restaurants off the kid’s menu though as I got older this practice became far less socially acceptable. (I got a lot of silent, side-eye stares.)
But nowadays, grilled cheese has evolved from a simple kid’s sandwich into an artisan meal. And luckily, while I did grow out of my picky-eater phase, I have never been happier that restaurants are purposefully putting grilled cheese on the adult section of the menu and creating delicious variations and upgrades on this classic sandwich.
So for all those picky-eaters out there and for those that just love a tasty, warm grilled cheese sandwich to devour during these upcoming frigid days, here are the places where you will find some of the best grilled cheese sandwiches in the Twin Cities.
Best Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
All Square
All Square was made for grilled cheese lovers. Their entire menu is dedicated to the grilled cheese sandwich. They have created craft grilled cheese sandwiches that pair unbelievably good flavors together to make truly one-of-a-kind sandwiches. For instance, try their Hawaiian made of Spam, Pineapple Jam, Korean BBQ Sauce, Smoked Provolone, and White American Cheese or their Jerk Chicken with Rotisserie Chicken, Swiss Cheese, Provolone Cheese, Guava Jam, and Jamaican Jerk Sauce.
You can also stick with the traditional Four-Cheese with Sharp Cheddar, Cracked Pepper, Asiago, and Parmesan. Add some fries or some tomato soup on the side and you are ready for a memorable meal.
Annie’s Parlour
One of my absolute favorite spots to get a fantastic grilled cheese would be this gem in Dinkytown. Usually filled with college students and families, you’ll find classic American fare along with truly amazing malts. But I digress.
As for the grilled cheese, they layer this baby up: three slices of whole wheat with Muenster, American, and Smoky Sharp Cheddar. So good. You can also upgrade to the Deluxe Grilled Cheese with Muenster and Smoky Sharp Cheddar cheeses on whole wheat bread, grilled with crisp bacon strips and tomato.
Highland Grill
Definitely a crowd pleaser, the Highland Grill’s take on the grilled cheese is simple yet amazing. Using quality and fresh ingredients, they pile on Wisconsin cheddar cheese with a tasty tomato chutney. But here’s the best part – all of this deliciousness is encased between two slices of parmesan crusted sourdough bread for the ultimate cheesy experience. And not to worry for those with gluten sensitivities, they can make it gluten free so you don’t have to miss out on one of the best grilled cheese sandwiches in town.
Cuppa Java
This unlikely local coffee shop in the Bryn Mawr neighborhood became one of my favorite grilled cheese spots in town. It’s simple, cheap, delicious, and you’re always served your meal quickly. When you order, you decide everything that goes on your grilled cheese sandwich. You can select which kind of cheese, the type of bread, and if you’d like onions or tomato. The grilled cheese comes with a bag of chips and a pickle though you can also add a cup of soup if you’re feeling especially hungry.
O’Cheeze
You may have seen the brilliantly yellow O’Cheeze food truck cruising around this past summer. But if you didn’t have the chance to taste one of their specialty grilled cheese sandwiches, not to worry as they have opened a non-mobile year-round spot located in the Minneapolis Skyway. Some of the must-haves are the Mac & Cheese Grilled Cheese made of a three cheese blend mac & cheese on a grilled cheese, the CCBR with chipotle pulled chicken, bacon, ranch, pepper jack, and the Not-So-Classic with sharp cheddar, havarti, and Dubliner Irish cheddar.
While those are some of the classic O’Cheeze menu items, make sure to keep an eye out for their rotating menu that includes tasty grilled cheese selections such as the Hibachi, Mediterranean, and S’mores. You can also pair your grilled cheese with a Toma-Cado, tomato basil avocado soup, or Chicken Tortilla soup.
Bryant Lake Bowl
Not only is Bryant Lake Bowl a great venue, but you will walk away satisfied after having the BLB House Grilled Cheddar & Swiss. (You may also want to walk away with a mint afterward as well – but it’s worth it.) This generous sandwich is packed with melty cheddar and swiss in between two hefty pieces of sourdough bread along with an abundance of tomato, caramelized onion, and garlic – hence the after-dinner mint. The grilled cheese comes with a choice of kettle chips or tortilla chips and a pickle. And if you’d like to create an even more lavish meal, you can also add Beeler’s Farm hickory smoked bacon or ham, or add a fried egg or avocado to your grilled cheese masterpiece.
Hen House Eatery
The Hen House Eatery set aside an entire section of their menu dedicated strictly to grilled cheese sandwiches. This is my kind of restaurant. Using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, they have crafted several grilled cheese creations that include the Avocado Tuna Melt with pickles, bacon, tomatoes, and mozzarella, the Chicken Cheddar Ranch Melt with tomatoes, bacon, avocado, and ranch, or the favorite, Mac n’ Cheese Grilled Cheese where it is of course, a grilled cheese filled with mac n’ cheese. Yes please.
St. Paul Cheese Shop
As you might have guessed, with a name like St. Paul Cheese Shop, they know good, quality cheese. While the St. Paul Cheese Shop is a cut to order cheese shop, they also serve up delectable grilled cheese sandwiches or, melts, as they call them. Each melt is made with breadsmith country white bread and served with a shot of hot tomato soup. Try the Melodie Comté made with caramelized onions and whole grain mustard, the Double Cream Brie with cranberry chutney, or the Prosciutto di Parma with emmenthal cheese and a slow-cooked egg. Whichever you choose, you’ll have chosen correctly.
Mac’s Industrial
A sports bar may not be the first place that comes to mind, but Mac’s Industrial makes a mean grilled cheese sandwich. Their Classic Grilled Cheese is made with melted swiss, cheddar, and provolone on your choice of bread. You can add bacon and tomatoes for extra, however, the best part is you can add a side at no extra cost which includes a myriad of options from tater tots, salads, onion rings, and mac and cheese, to chips, fries, mashed potatoes and homemade chili. You’ll definitely leave satisfied.
I’ll still be on the hunt for more excellent grilled cheese sandwiches around the cities to add to this list, but for now, let your grilled cheese odyssey begin.
Read this next: The best restaurants in the Twin Cities suburbs
