The humble grilled cheese gets a necessary elevation.
It’s supposed to be all about the burgers. And, mostly it is. When you have the word burger prominently featured in your name it had better be. But, what happens when a alternative menu item is as good as the featured items?
When I was about ten I thought, incorrectly I might add, that a grilled cheese sandwich could only be made with cheese that came individually wrapped. I just assumed this attention to each slice meant that each perfectly formed piece of cheese was special. I had no idea at that age what the term processed cheese food meant. Good thing.
Here’s the recipe for all of you who haven’t been “privileged” enough to have enjoyed it.
Ingredients
2 slices Wonder or Butternut Bread
3-4 slices Kraft American Singles, unwrapped
butter
Method
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Butter one side of both bread slices. Place one bread slice buttered side down in skillet. Top bread with cheese slices. Place second bread slice on top of cheese butter side up.
When the bread is golden brown on underside of sandwich, flip and brown side two. When both sides are browned and cheese is melted remove from heat. Eat immediately for maximum roof of mouth and lower lip burn.
That was the grilled cheese of my youth (and maybe yours too).
Fast forward about forty years. Grilled cheese is making a huge resurgence in popularity. And, it’s not about the little kids anymore. It’s about the big kids. Adult grilled cheese sandwiches are gracing menus all over the country. Some of these new renditions are beyond imaginative and pretty damn tasty.
Here’s a prime example.
That is the X-Rated Grilled Cheese Sandwich from Square 1 Burgers & Bar. Obviously, not created with a six year old in mind. That is, unless your tyke likes Gruyère and sharp cheddar cheese, dill pickle slices, beefsteak tomato, mayo and sourdough bread. Oh, I almost forgot, you can also add bacon (and who wouldn’t do that?).
Here’s the story I was told. So many adults were ordering grilled cheese off the kids menu that the restaurant owners felt they needed to do something. I’m not sure why, but, they did. As it turns out, it was a good thing. If not for those crazy grown ups ordering all that kids food, this super delicious sandwich would probably never have been invented.
You can grab one of their great grilled cheeses at either of the Square 1 locations here in Sarasota. Oh, what about the burgers you may be thinking.
They still have those too.
1737 S. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34239
941-870-8111
University Park Center
5239 University Parkway
Sarasota FL 34201
941-359-0001
15 – The Cottage
