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11 Amazing Grilled Cheese Sandwiches in Michigan

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It’s ooey. It’s gooey. It’s an American meal mainstay. April 12 is National Grilled Cheese Day and what better way to celebrate this American culinary mainstay than indulging in the classic sammie?

Since the introduction of American sliced cheese, and its quick popularity of the Kraft singles in the ’50s and ’60s, the grilled cheese sandwich has become a go-to afternoon snack, perfectly paired with tomato soup.

We celebrate the classic comfort food the only way we know how to — a roundup of all the different kinds of grilled cheeses you can find around the state. Whether you stick to the good ol’ fashioned recipe – white bread and American cheese – or are ready to spice it up a little, there’s a recipe for everyone’s taste buds.

Best Grilled Cheese in East Michigan:

Cafe Muse – Royal Oak

Royal Oak's Cafe Muse is home to a nationally-known, award-winning grilled cheese sandwich.
Royal Oak’s Cafe Muse is home to a nationally-known, award-winning grilled cheese sandwich. Photo by Cafe Muse.

The press loves this cafe, and the people agree. Featured in Esquire’s “Best Sandwiches of America,” having been seen on Oprah’s show and later voted “one of the perfect grilled cheese sandwiches in America” in Reader’s Digest, Cafe Muse is a must.

It’s comfort food – minus the Cheddar. The famous grilled cheese includes Havarti, fontina, mozzarella, basil, tomatoes, organic bread, and honey.

If Oprah’s BFF Gayle King gives it a five-star rating, I’ll take three, please. Check out this video with Cafe Muse’s chef talking about their grilled cheese in all its glory.

One Eyed Betty’s – Ferndale

Ferndale's One-Eyed Betty's is known for its delicious burgers, but they also carry a classic grilled cheese, complete with tomato jam on the side.
Ferndale’s One-Eyed Betty’s is known for its delicious burgers, but they also carry a classic grilled cheese, complete with tomato jam on the side. Photo by Gruz Photography.

I’m willing to bet the ridiculously-good-looking model Zoolander might even indulge in this grilled cheese on a cheat day. The ‘ridiculously good’ sandwich is on French Italian bread and is served with a side of tomato jam.

Hermann’s Olde Town Grille – Plymouth

The popular biker hangout, Hermann's Olde Town Grille not only offers distinctive beverages but also a unique hearty grilled cheese. Photo by MetroAlive.
The popular biker hangout, Hermann’s Olde Town Grille not only offers distinctive beverages but also a unique hearty grilled cheese. Photo by MetroAlive.

Remember that saying, ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away?’ So what if that apple just so happens to be squashed between two pieces of bacon, it’s still a serving of fruit!

Hermann’s Olde Town Grille gets creative with their grilled cheese–gouda, muenster, bacon, and granny smith apples all atop of grilled raisin bread. See, raisins–so it’s gotta be healthy, right?

 West Michigan’s Best Grilled Cheese Sandwiches:

Founders Brewing Company – Grand Rapids

Founders Brewing Company is internationally-known for its award winning beer, but this Beer City USA restaurant also offers up cripsy, crunchy grilled cheeses. Photo courtesy of Founders Brewing Company.
Founders Brewing Company is internationally known for its award-winning beer, but this Beer City USA restaurant also offers up crispy, crunchy grilled cheeses. Photo courtesy of Founders Brewing Company.

When it comes to food and drink, the more options, the better. This Grand Rapids Brewery knows that having choices is important. Founders is famous for its many brewed-in-house beers, even infusing beer into some of its menu items, including beer cheese dip.

While this grilled cheese doesn’t require a designated driver, it does double-duty and satisfies a sweet tooth with its cream cheese toasted on multi-grain wheat bread.

Crow’s Nest – Kalamazoo

2Kalamazoo CrowsNest
Crow’s Nest Restaurant

The classic grilled cheese is good, adult grilled cheeses can be better, but the super grilled cheese might be the best yet. If you’re all about souped-up grilled cheese, the Crow’s Nest ‘super grilled cheese’ might become your new best friend.

Cheddar, swiss, and smoked provolone piled high on sourdough bread. But if that’s not enough bite for your bucks, you can add tomato, pesto, ham, prosciutto, or bacon.

Best Grilled Cheese in Southeast Michigan:

Zingerman’s Delicatessen – Ann Arbor

zingermanns 2

The deli, known for its amazing array of meats, cheeses, and breads, certainly knows how to throw down in the kitchen. President Obama has even dined here and gave it a thumbs up.

Zingerman’s has a pretty extensive list of vegetarian sandwiches ranging from classic to innovative menu options.

Southwest Michigan’s Best Grilled Cheese Sandwiches:

Cafe Tosi – St. Joseph

cafe tosi

While other patrons there might be oohing and ahhing over their Instagram-worthy lattes, no one will judge you for devouring a hefty sandwich in the corner.

Cafe Tosi’s makes the classic grilled cheese that much more hip with their selection of grilled paninis. The ‘grilled three cheese’ offers baby swiss, provolone, and asiago cheeses brushed with virgin olive oil and grilled on the bread of the day.

Hopcat – Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo

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HopCat is a bar known for its ‘crack fries’ and ice cold brews. They have locations all across Michigan and Indiana. Photo courtesy of HopCat.

Hopcat is another beer-centered establishment, with locations all across the state: East Lansing, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Detroit and soon to be in Kalamazoo. Perfectly paired with their famous ‘crack fries,’ Hopcat has its own ‘Madtown Grilled Cheese’ sure to please.

The sandwich has a trio of Wisconsin dill Havarti, smoked gouda, and muenster on grilled Italian sourdough bread, with apple slices, garlic aioli, and honey, served with apple-tomato soup and blue cheese crumbles.

Best Grilled Cheese in Mid-Michigan:

Tom + Chee – Lansing

Tom + Chee is a game changer in the grilled cheese world, offering sweet and savory grilled cheese donuts in all flavors. Photo by Orlando Biz Journal.
Tom + Chee is a game-changer in the grilled cheese world, offering sweet and savory grilled cheese donuts in all flavors. Photo by Orlando Biz Journal.

Three words: grilled cheese donut.

If you’ve heard the name before, it’s probably because the tiny food tent grew from exposure on ABC’s “Shark Tank.” Their iconic grilled cheese donut has been featured on ABC’s “The Chew” and on Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food Nation.” Its award-winning in its own right– being named one of America’s best new sandwiches by NBC’s Today” show.

Besides the ‘grilled cheese donuts,’ Tom + Chee offers ‘build-your-own’ grilled cheeses with specialty breads, cheeses, and toppings to personalize your sandwich. Also offering fancy grilled cheeses and crunchy cheeses, there’s something for everyone here, and of course–soup on the side.

Northern Michigan’s Best Grilled Cheese Sandwiches:

Cafe Blue Heron – Traverse City + Cadillac

Traverse City's Blue Heron Cafe rotates their daily selection of breads made in-house from scratch, perfect for their ultimate grilled cheese sandwiches. Photo by Tracy Grant- Karuna Photo.
Traverse City’s Blue Heron Cafe rotates their daily selection of breads made in-house from scratch, perfect for their ultimate grilled cheese sandwiches. Photo by Tracy Grant- Karuna Photo.

This charming cafe whips up the most delicious breakfast, lunch, and sweet treats (many meals come with a cookie!) around town. Cafe Blue Heron takes a culinary note from the boot-shaped country known for its cheeses and pasta, with the ‘Italian Grilled Cheese.’

The sandwich has ricotta cheese, caramelized onions, spinach, and kalamata olives on a house-made Cuban bun, and is served with marinara sauce- a lighter diversion from the typical tomato soup combo.

Best Grilled Cheese in the Upper Peninsula:

Upper Crust Bakery – Manistique

Upper Crust Bakery & Deli in Manistique prides itself on fresh produce, quality meats & cheeses and more. Photo courtesy of Things to do in the U.P.
Upper Crust Bakery & Deli in Manistique prides itself on fresh produce, quality meats & cheeses and more. Photo courtesy of Things to do in the U.P.

This U.P. bakery knows they’ve got the best bread around and their namesake proves it– Upper Crust Bakery knows how to construct the perfect sandwich, and they’ve got three different grilled cheeses to prove it.

The bakery offers the ‘gourmet grilled cheese’- a blend of cheddar, swiss and provolone cheese served with your choice of bread, the cheese supreme- melted cheddar, provolone, and scallion cream cheese, topped with tomatoes and bacon, or the ‘glorified grilled cheese’ – cheddar, swiss, provolone, mushrooms, red onion, and Canadian bacon.

Now that you’re salivating, tell us – who makes Michigan’s BEST grilled cheese sandwich?

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