Cheddar Together: Grilled Cheese on the North Shore

What goes bettah with sweatah weathah than the creamy-crisp combo of a grilled cheese sandwich? Perhaps you trend traditional with slim triangles revealing that gloriously gooey stretch of cheese (and warm cup of tomato soup). Maybe it’s time to branch out with layers of numerous cheeses, bread variations and merged with meats, veg and more. Taste ‘em all from these amazing local kitchens and keep Exploring North Shore Restaurants.

 

EvaDean's Bakery & Cafe, Wilmette

Grilled Cheese Grown 
Not just for littles anymore, today’s favorite comfort food knows adults have entered the chat. Take Alexander’s Breakfast and Lunch's (Skokie) Killer Grilled Cheese on sourdough with its stack of Applewood smoked bacon, Granny Smith apple and Wisconsin sharp cheddar topped with sundried tomato pesto. Crispy bacon also stars in the Bluestone (Evanston) Grown-Up Grilled Cheese with sliced tomato, avocado and American and mozzarella cheeses melted across multigrain toast. Or relish the dairy combo in EvaDean’s Bakery & Café’s (Wilmette) Grown Up Grilled Cheese: Gruyere, sharp cheddar and Butterkäse (semi-soft German cheese) on griddled sourdough with hot honey drizzle and tomato soup.
 

Hangar Two by Tangled Roots Brewing Co., Glenview

Soup on the Side
Even if you aren’t getting over a cold, the ubiquitous soup side complements this sandwich impeccably. Yard House (Glenview) pairs its Grilled Cheese (yellow and white cheddar, Swiss, fontina, roasted tomatoes, artisan bread) with a cup of Tomato Bisque. Another vote for Tomato Bisque accompanies the Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese at Hangar Two by Tangled Roots Brewing Company (Glenview). Their slow-braised pork shoulder embraces cheddar and pepper Jack, applewood smoked bacon and Brewmaster BBQ sauce on garlic herb sourdough. Amp up your lunch break at Saranello’s Ristorante Italiano (Wheeling) and their Grilled Cheese with Bacon & Tomato with homemade Tomato Basil Soup. 
 

Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar, Northbrook

Waaaay Better Than Basic
Along with small-town-style hospitality Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar (Northbrook) stacks the odds with a Grilled 5 Cheese Sandwich: cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, Jack and parmesan held together by sourdough toast. Or, take it up a notch with their Candied Bacon Grilled Cheese + Tomato Soup combo. Lucky Platter’s (Evanston) aptly named Adulting Grilled Cheese combines Gouda, provolone, cheddar and Swiss with sun-dried tomato pesto mayo melted on homemade whole wheat bread. Then Superdawg Drive-In (Wheeling) serves up a Grilled Cheese with several slabs of American cheese, griddle-melted to a bubbling creaminess on a toasted bun — or dark bread with optional bacon — always with Superfries™.
 

Blue Kale Cafe & Lounge, Skokie

Grilled Sheez: Doubling Up
Twice as nice with two interpretations on sourdough, Blue Kale Café and Lounge (Skokie) does a Grilled Three Cheese Ham Sandwich with white cheddar cheese, Swiss, mozzarella, smoked ham, whole grain mustard and black pepper. Or test drive the Brie Cheese Apple Sandwich with Brie, apple, glazed walnuts, arugula, multigrain mustard, agave syrup and black pepper. Fred’s Garage (Winnetka) offers two Fred’s Cheese Steaks, both on a hoagie roll with garlic oil and mayo (sides of giardiniera and fries). The seared ribeye version includes American and cheddar, lettuce, tomato and grilled onions. The seared chicken breast gets topped with Swiss, roasted peppers, lettuce, mushrooms and onions.