These are some of the best places for grilled cheese in all 50 states (and DC)

September 21, 2018 // By A.D. Thompson

By A.D. Thompson
Orlando Local Expert September 21, 2018

Say "Cheese!" Photo courtesy of E+ / LauriPatterson

Say "Cheese!"

Few sammies offer up the comfort of a good-n-gooey grilled cheese, even the simplest of which can feel like a time-transcending hug from your childhood memory stores. Cafes, food trucks and even upscale restaurants around the nation are capitalizing on our nostalgia for this beloved sandwich. Read on for 50 great options from coast to coast. Since we could only feature one per state, be sure to leave your recommendation in the comments!

Alabama - Cheezin Photo courtesy of Cheezin

Alabama - Cheezin

This Birmingham food truck has racked up the wins when it comes to meals on wheels. Fan favorites from their rotating menu include the steak melt, the chicken Caesar melt and the strawberry shortcake melt. We even spied this colorful creation: a birthday cake melt.

Alaska - Spenard Roadhouse Photo courtesy of Spenard Roadhouse

Alaska - Spenard Roadhouse

Few states' winters call for comfort food quite like Alaska's, and at the Spenard Roadhouse in Anchorage they serve it in spades. Here the standard grilled cheese is a combo of cheddar and Havarti, but you can spice it up with extras like avocado or go literal with jalapeno.

Arizona - 47 Scott Photo courtesy of 47 Scott

Arizona - 47 Scott

Tucson's 47 Scott serves up a stack of cheesy goodness in the form of a three-cheese blend on sourdough alongside a sweet and spicy dipping sauce. Add-ons like bacon or mushrooms are available, but it's great in classic form, shown here with a bowl of tomato bisque.

Arkansas - Hammontree's Grilled Cheese Photo courtesy of Hammontree's Grilled Cheese, Fayetteville

Arkansas - Hammontree's Grilled Cheese

The good people of Arkansas can rest both easily and cheesily at Hammontree's where GC is the specialty of the house. There are 36 cheeses from which to choose, but they also sling tasty, locally-made sausage, as well. This specialty melt includes blackened chicken, slaw and remoulade on sourdough.

California - Bacon & Butter Photo courtesy of Bacon & Butter

California - Bacon & Butter

With a name like Bacon & Butter, it's safe to assume this Sacramento cafe would have an amazing grilled cheese. In fact, their famous breakfast option, the grilled cheese Benedict (three cheeses on challah with bacon, poached eggs and hollandaise) is so popular, they'll serve it right through to afternoon.

Colorado - Vore Photo courtesy of Vore

Colorado - Vore

Grilled cheese is one tasty handheld, which makes it an ideal menu item for a mobile food biz. The folks at Vore in Colorado Springs bring their gourmet versions to the masses on the daily, with options like the Cubanocta. It features shredded pork, smoked ham, pickle, mustard and provolone cheese.

Connecticut - The Whey Station Photo courtesy of The Whey Station

Connecticut - The Whey Station

They're based in the Middleton area, but these mobile purveyors of the melt are tantalizing New Englanders with their sandwich's cheesy tendrils far and wide. They've got all kinds of goodies, but carb-lovers might hone in on the Channing Tater, which combines tater tots with their standard five-cheese mixture.

Delaware - Bellefonte Cafe Photo courtesy of Bellefonte Cafe

Delaware - Bellefonte Cafe

This Wilmington restaurant isn't just well-known for its charming vibe and colorful calendar of live music – it's got great food. And grilled cheese aficionados will be happy to note that this classic is given more than its due; they rotate their GC combination on a very regular basis!

District of Columbia - Ooey, Gooey, Crispy Photo courtesy of Ooey, Gooey, Crispy

District of Columbia - Ooey, Gooey, Crispy

What's in a name? When you serve sandwiches that combine things like brie, truffled butter and potato chips, absolutely everything. You'll find OGC at Washington's Union Market, doling out the aforementioned and other creative combos (or you can choose your own adventure) to the delight of cheese fanatics.

Florida - La Femme du Fromage Photo courtesy of La Femme du Fromage

Florida - La Femme du Fromage

At Orlando's East End Market, this Mistress of Manchego (and all other varieties) not only sources phenomenal cheeses from around the globe, she serves them up every Friday for Grilled Cheese Happy Hour, pairing three sumptuous sammies with a flight craft beer to suit.

Georgia - Jamwich Photo courtesy of Jamwich

Georgia - Jamwich

The sammie kings and queens of Rome's Jamwich take their ingredients heart-attack seriously (though it's unlikely your cardiologist would recommend eating here too often). This is El Fuego, which houses buffalo chicken and avocado along with mayo, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar and strawberry jam, all on jalapeño cornmeal bread.

Hawaii - Porky's Kauai Photo courtesy of Porky's Kauai

Hawaii - Porky's Kauai

Billing themselves, rightfully so, as "Aloha in a bun," Porky's blossomed from humble cart beginnings to a popular mobile operation on the strength of its kalua pork-smothered hot dogs. Not dissimilar, Porky's grilled cheese consists of havarti and muenster with a double layer of said slow-roasted pig with grilled onions. 'Ono!

Idaho - Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese Photo courtesy of Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese

Idaho - Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese

Anyone who doubts the power of cheese need only check the social media feeds of restaurants that specialize in the grilled cheese craft. Coeur d'Alene's Meltz is just such a venue. This carb-laden, comfort food-inspired artery-clogger includes white cheddar, Colby, meatloaf, roasted garlic, smashed red potatoes and a ketchup-chili glaze.

Illinois - GRIL Photo courtesy of GRIL

Illinois - GRIL

This family shop in Grayslake was born in a basement, but these days, GRIL (which stands for Gratitude, Integrity, Respect, and Local) churns out all kinds of gooey goodies while being mindful of giving back. Example? Their 127 (white & yellow cheddar, honey ham and sun-dried tomato on rye) is named after the local school district, which gets a portion of the proceeds.

Indiana - Rooster's Kitchen Photo courtesy of Rooster's Kitchen

Indiana - Rooster's Kitchen

American comfort food is the root inspiration at this popular Indianapolis restaurant. That means you'll see things like mac n' cheese and brisket and, of course, good ol' grilled cheese, which can, in fact, feature brisket as an ingredient. Come hungry!

Iowa - The Cheese Shop of Des Moines Photo courtesy of The Cheese Shop of Des Moines

Iowa - The Cheese Shop of Des Moines

Gorgonzola and pear might be a sophisticated sandwich pairing for some, but fans of the Cheese Shop of Des Moines know it's just one of many refined combinations they'll find on the menu. Sure you can just pop in to pick up some American artisan cheese or wine, but why not stay for lunch?

Kansas - The Wheel Barrel Photo courtesy of The Wheel Barrel

Kansas - The Wheel Barrel

Soup and a sandwich? Just say yes at Topeka's Wheel Barrel, where the names on the blackboard are almost as good as what's melted between the bread. Not pictured here, an offering called the "Cheese Louise," which had a charming doodle of the beloved Bob's Burgers character drawn alongside. The clever dishes here, too, are reminiscent of Bob's own specials board!

Kentucky - Broomwagon Coffee + Bikes Photo courtesy of Broomwagon Coffeee+ Bikes

Kentucky - Broomwagon Coffee + Bikes

Broomwagon is a Lexington bike shop; sales, repairs, accessories, you name it. But it's also a coffee shop and cafe serving up simple, delicious and reasonably-priced fare. That includes the Broomwagon Grilled Cheese (mozzarella, feta, basil and lemon zest grilled on sourdough), which will run you $6. The Mediterranean special pictured here featured mozz and baba ganoush.

Louisiana - Meauxbar Photo courtesy of Meauxbar

Louisiana - Meauxbar

Soup pairs beautifully with a grilled cheese, but on those impossible occasions when you either can't choose or don't have room, there's New Orleans' Meauxbar and its decadent French onion grilled cheese. It features braised beef and silky, flavorful onions with beautifully melty Gruyere.

Maine - Luke's Lobster Photo courtesy of Luke's Lobster

Maine - Luke's Lobster

When in Maine: lobster. And when at Luke's Lobster in Tenants Harbor, should the grilled cheese fancy strike you, there's the lobster grilled cheese. Tender hunks of the delicious Herculean water bug co-mingle with gooey melted Gruyere on toasted, buttery bread. Pass the bib, because we're drooling!

Maryland - Grilled Cheese & Co. Photo courtesy of Grilled Cheese & Co.

Maryland - Grilled Cheese & Co.

You can get any number of melty sammies at this Catonsville favorite, but nothing's more Maryland than Grilled Cheese & Company's Crabby Melt. And it's the house signature. In it you'll find their creamy house Crabby Dip with soft, sweet hunks of claw meat paired with tangy Monterey Jack. And they don't leave out the Old Bay, either!

Massachusetts - Roxy's Grilled Cheese Photo courtesy of Roxy's Grilled Cheese

Massachusetts - Roxy's Grilled Cheese

Roxy's founders have some anti-establishment street cred. They got away with using a food cart license for their first truck before Boston allowed them – and it ended up making them trendsetters! Their amazing sandwiches, like the Red Sox-inspired Green Muenster, have seen them grow beyond trucks and into brick and mortar.

Michigan - Grillcheezerie Sandwich Shoppe Photo courtesy of Grillcheezerie Sandwich Shoppe

Michigan - Grillcheezerie Sandwich Shoppe

They've got standard offerings at this Ann Arbor shop, which include decadent mac bowls and specialty hot dogs, but they're best known for their creative grilled cheese sandwiches. This special offering's called "How 'Bout That Ham," and featured Swiss, Monterey Jack, ham, caramelized onions and pickles on artisan white bread.

Minnesota - Pat's Tap Photo courtesy of Pat's Tap

Minnesota - Pat's Tap

Upscale pub grub and skee-ball are on tap along with the beer at Pat's Tap, a Minneapolis favorite. The grilled cheese here is a creative amalgam of Swiss, cheddar, onion marmalade and cranberry on wild rice bread. Pair it with chips, a beer and good company and it'll keep you warm on those cold Minnesota evenings.

Mississippi - The Oxford Canteen Photo courtesy of The New Oxford Canteen

Mississippi - The Oxford Canteen

To those who've reported consistently about the Magnolia State's place on the list of states most needing a diet: leave Mississippi alone! If we lived anywhere NEAR the Oxford Canteen's beef brisket grilled cheese (tender brisket and white cheddar with sriracha mayo on grilled sourdough), we'd weigh three bills at least.

Missouri - Bridge Tap House & Wine Bar Photo courtesy of Bridge Tap House & Wine Bar

Missouri - Bridge Tap House & Wine Bar

Silky, creamy tomato bisque is an ideal accompaniment to this St. Louis eatery's delicious version of a comfort food classic: smoked Gouda, fontina and spiced tomato jam on whole wheat. Pair it with wine (they've got 100+ bottles and more than 20 by the glass) and let the flavors meld...

Montana - Feed Cafe Photo courtesy of Feed Cafe

Montana - Feed Cafe

Folks outside Big Sky Country might be surprised to note the state has artisan culinary cred that extends beyond steak. At Bozeman's Feed Cafe, the Grilled 3 Cheese (sharp white cheddar, Gruyere and Gouda on sourdough) has add-on options of bacon or avocado salsa, but it's perfection as-is with a side of dressed greens.

Nebraska - Don & Millie's Photo courtesy of Don & Millie's

Nebraska - Don & Millie's

Let no state fair operation claim that they invented the deep-fried grilled cheese. That honor belongs to the Cornhusker State, where in the 1950s in a now-defunct place called King's Food Host, the Cheese Frenchee was born. You can get them at a few locations around the state; Don & Millie's, with locations in Omaha, Bellevue and Lincoln, is one.

Nevada - The Goodwich Photo courtesy of The Goodwich

Nevada - The Goodwich

You may not always get lucky at the casinos, but at Las Vegas sandwich shop, The Goodwich, your belly wins the jackpot every time. Grilled cheese aficionados will enjoy their gooey-licious Cheese Bomb, comprised of provolone, pepper jack, cheddar, aioli and arbol.

New Hampshire - The Friendly Toast Photo courtesy of The Friendly Toast

New Hampshire - The Friendly Toast

The Friendly Toast has several New England locations, including Portsmouth, with a massive menu of massively-portioned diner favorites that stick to the ribs, particularly as we head into the cooler seasons. Grilled cheese options abound; choose from cheddar, American, provolone, Swiss, jalapeno-jack, Parmesan, feta, bleu or goat. Blend more than one if you like.

New Jersey - The Cheese Cave Photo courtesy of The Cheese Cave

New Jersey - The Cheese Cave

The Cheese Cave in Red Bank has a Facebook photo roster that's pure cheese porn. Roquefort studded with blue-gem flavor, tangy and pleasantly grainy Croatian Pag, nutty and bold artisan Manchego – they comb the planet for the best cheeses. And you can count on the same for their sandwiches. This one's comprised of creamy goat cheddar, mozzarella, orange blossom honey and apricot preserves on multigrain bread.

New Mexico - Standard Diner Photo courtesy of The Standard Diner

New Mexico - Standard Diner

Grilled cheese and tomato soup is an American classic, so don't make a right turn at Albuquerque. Stick around at least long enough to hit up the Standard Diner for their crispy, cheesy, creamy, satisfying version when the New Mexico weather starts to turn a tad chilly.

New York - Murray's Cheese Bar Photo courtesy of Murray's Cheese Bar

New York - Murray's Cheese Bar

Murray's has been selling cheese to Big Apple residents for decades. but a few years back decided to expand into a venue that took its handcrafted wares (and other fine ingredients) to create dishes. They even host guests and cheese makers for educational tasting events. Here, you can get killer mac n' cheese, buffalo cheese curds, quesadillas and raclette; predictably, they make a mean grilled cheese!

North Carolina - American Meltdown Photo courtesy of American Meltdown

North Carolina - American Meltdown

The hashtag of this Durham food truck and sandwich shop is #meltgods, which reflects a pervasive attitude that cheese loving is something of a religion. From meat-cheese combos like the Cubano, Buffalo Blitz and Patty Melt, to more cheese-forward selections, they are a popular stop for quality GCs in the Triangle.

North Dakota - Rosey's Bistro & Bar Photo courtesy of Rosey's Bistro & Bar

North Dakota - Rosey's Bistro & Bar

As warmhearted as Fargo residents can be, Fargo itself can get pretty damn cold. Luckily, cozy joints like Rosey's Bistro and Bar help stoke the furnace with toasty melts, superior soups and super-food salads – and even live music by which to ingest it all.

Ohio - Timmy's Meltdown Photo courtesy of Timmy's Meltdown

Ohio - Timmy's Meltdown

This Columbus food truck, a purveyor of fine grilled cheese, determined after excessive rounds of testing that sourdough is the ideal edible vessel via which its creations find their way to your food hole. So that's what you're having. The Hot Mama, pictured here, features pepperoni, double pepper jack and hot peppers.

Oklahoma - The Mule Photo courtesy of The Mule

Oklahoma - The Mule

At The Mule, you'll find "sandies" like the pasta-laden Macaroni Pony, the smoky, short rib-stuffed Angry Texan and the multi-cheese monstrosity known as the Big Ass Grilled Cheese. You know this Oklahoma City venue is going to not only satisfy your cheesy cravings, it's going to ensure when you get another, you'll wish you could come back.

Oregon - BUNK Sandwiches Photo courtesy of BUNK Sandwiches

Oregon - BUNK Sandwiches

Portland keeps it weird and BUNK keeps Portland's sandwich enthusiasts sated. Its small downtown shop's grilled cheese offering, a Tillamook cheddar (creamy tomato basil soup is an optional side) is melty, creamy and, while not weird, perhaps the bit of "normal" that helps the city's quirkier residents find balance.

Pennsylvania - Grilled Cheese Plus Photo courtesy of Grilled Cheese Plus

Pennsylvania - Grilled Cheese Plus

The Harrisburg shop's not fancy, but fans say Grilled Cheese Plus' potent combo of creative offerings and friendly service make it a huge hit. You can get plain old American (nothing wrong with that) or go nuts choosing from offerings like horseradish cheddar, smoked Gouda or ricotta spread. Their expansive and thoughtful menu provides many delicious escape hatches for those overwhelmed by the options.

Rhode Island - Scratch Kitchen & Catering Photo courtesy of Scratch Kitchen & Catering

Rhode Island - Scratch Kitchen & Catering

The good people of Newport love them some Scratch Kitchen. And why wouldn't they when they have gourmet grilled cheese options, such as duck confit with peach and habanero marmalade and melted Gruyere? Or a Thanksgiving-inspired melt with turkey and all the trimming, plus gooey triple creme brie? Man. We're hungry.

South Carolina - The Grilled Cheese & Crab Cake Company Photo courtesy of The Grilled Cheese & Crab Cake Company

South Carolina - The Grilled Cheese & Crab Cake Company

Down in Garden City Beach, the people of the Palmetto State have a cozy little nook in which they can satisfy their craving for local seafood or grilled cheese. Or, in the case of offerings like this panko-encrusted fried lobster tail grilled cheese with Old Bay fries, they can live out fantasy hybrids thereof.

South Dakota - Old Market Eatery Photo courtesy of Old Market Eatery

South Dakota - Old Market Eatery

A bake shop and live bands are two exemplary add-ons at this Brookings venue, where in addition to burgers and beer and all kinds of comforting offerings, creative melts – like this Mediterranean variety – abound. Those looking for something a little more South Dakota-meaty won't be disappointed. Try a BBQ pulled pork melt instead.

Tennessee - Say Cheese Photo courtesy of Say Cheese

Tennessee - Say Cheese

Say, "cheese," Memphis, because this Germantown-based food truck is rolling from office parks to church socials to schools to food-truck events serving up creative delights. Take, for example, the fan-named Memphis Redbird – a crisp chicken patty with mozzarella, marinara and aioli.

Texas - Emojis Grilled Cheese Bar Photo courtesy of Emojis Grilled Cheese

Texas - Emojis Grilled Cheese Bar

Ham and cheddar, roast beef and provolone, grilled chicken pesto, and more are among the decadent sammies they serve out of Austin's Emojis Grilled Cheese food truck. It's the type of place where a smiley-drooly emoji combo would probably be the best way to let folks know how you feel about the food without, you know, talking or anything. Because it's rude to do that with your mouth full.

Utah - Slapfish Photo courtesy of Slapfish

Utah - Slapfish

Utah was at one time home to a massive inland sea teeming with marine life, but not anymore, so the good people at Slapfish in Lehi bring in scads of it from all over to satisfy the cravings of its patrons. Sometimes, said seafood comes in the form of the Clobster grilled cheese (with crab, lobster and Jersey sauce).

Vermont - Prohibition Pig Photo courtesy of Prohibition Pig

Vermont - Prohibition Pig

This Waterbury brewery boasts a menu laden with cheesy offerings from custom mac to a grilled pimento cheese sammy; it's where creative experimentation happens. This pig pic showcases something called the Grillin' Villain, with house-smoked chicken, tomato and jalapeno. That'd look good next to one of their house brews.

Virginia - The Cutting Edge Cafe Photo courtesy of Paul Chin, Jr. / The Cutting Edge Cafe

Virginia - The Cutting Edge Cafe

Paninis are a specialty at this Chesapeake eatery and one of them – the grilled cheese and jam – tempts the cheese lover with a gooey amalgam of Swiss, cheddar and chive goat cheese with caramelized onion and seasonal jam. That's definitely our jam.

Washington - Cheese Wizards Photo courtesy of Cheese Wizards

Washington - Cheese Wizards

Soups and dips are benevolent extras from these wizards of cheese, whose truck and cafe are a sight for sore eyes and empty tummies in Seattle. Their magical names, too, are quite epic. Sadly, the Voldemortadella (provolone, mozzarella, cream cheese, mortadella, salami, black forest ham on herbed olive muffuletta) cannot be served to mudbloods.

West Virginia - River & Rail Bakery Photo courtesy of River & Rail Bakery

West Virginia - River & Rail Bakery

You can't really do better than a grilled cheese lovingly pressed on bread that's made on premises, and that's precisely what you'll get at Huntington's River & Rail Bakery. The cheddar apple was one of their first offerings. It features spinach and juicy apple slices with cheddar on their artisan buttermilk bread.

Wisconsin - Comet Cafe Photo courtesy of The Comet Cafe

Wisconsin - Comet Cafe

Great grilled cheese in Wisconsin? Throw a dart! But since we have to showcase one, how about this Milwaukee diner where, if you happen to NOT be in the mood for grilled cheese, you've got a massive menu of comfort food from which to select your preferred dish?

Wyoming - Cafe Genevieve Photo courtesy of Cafe Genevieve

Wyoming - Cafe Genevieve

Home cooking tastes better when you get it inside a log cabin, so next time you're in Jackson, pop into Cafe Genevieve for some A-game Southern-inspired dishes. The grilled cheese and tomato soup is a standard; Genevieve's version includes Vermont white cheddar and basil on wheat, but you can add on bacon, tomato and/or avocado, if you're so inclined.

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About A.D. Thompson

Amy Drew has spent nearly three decades as a professional writer and roughly half her life as a Floridian. The words, she has found, come easier with bare feet and rum. A roller coaster enthusiast, A.D. readily admits there is fun amid the madness of the theme parks, but has found there is magic, as well, in the outer-lying reaches of Mickey’s long shadow. She is delighted to share with you the spoils of her adopted city. Visit her colorful compendium at www.amydrewthompson.com.