5 Wisconsin Restaurants With Grown-Up Grilled Cheese
It’s warm. It’s melty. It’s full of delicious cheese. The grilled cheese sandwich has been a go-to comfort food for generations – and luckily, we in Wisconsin happen to know a thing or two about cheese.
We also know that sometimes the best way to appreciate something is to keep it simple –add two slices of bread, a few toppings, and you’re all set. These Wisconsin restaurants have taken hold of that philosophy, each adding their own culinary spin to what is still, at its heart, the classic meal you know and love.
Your favorite lunch from childhood is all grown up- and by the looks of these creations, we think it’s aged quite well. Read on for some of our favorite grilled cheese sandwiches not found on the kid’s menu.
Located on Madison’s up-and-coming East Side is Alchemy, a hip, cozy tavern serving up gourmet pub food and craft beer on tap. Among the diverse menu you’ll find the Stuffed Grilled Cheese, a fan favorite filled with broccoli, roasted carrots, tomato, red onion, cilantro pesto sauce, and local cheddar and swiss cheeses.
Stick around for the evening and you’ll likely catch some live music, and make sure to stop by an ATM before you arrive – Alchemy is cash only.
Melted is a staple of the Madison food cart scene, and can be found for weekday lunches on Martin Luther King Street, just down from the State Capitol. Featuring a rotating menu of unique grilled cheese sandwiches, Melted prides itself on using high-quality ingredients to create the self-proclaimed “Cadillac of Grilled Cheese” – and with a name like that, you know you’re in for something special.
Be sure to look out for their signature blue cart on the weekend as well, as it often makes an appearance at the Dane County Farmers' Market on Capitol Square.
An iconic Door County stop, Wild Tomato is a family-friendly eatery committed to showcasing the ingredients of their local community.
While they may be known for their pizza (wood-fired and oh, so delicious) they also offer an impressive selection of sandwiches, including the Grilled Veggie Melt – Widmer’s brick cheese, Door County Creamery roasted cauliflower chevre, grilled red pepper and red onion, and mixed greens on whole grain bread. Enjoy your meal indoors, or outside on the patio.
Uber Tap Room and Cheese Bar – Milwaukee
The Uber Tap Room in Milwaukee highlights two of the things Wisconsin does best – beer and cheese! Boasting an outstanding variety of Wisconsin cheeses and brews, this trendy spot offers a selection of grilled cheese sandwiches, each featuring a different combination of cheese.
Stop in for a Pesto Turkey with aged swiss and gruyere, or a Gourmet Cheese with five-year aged cheddar, gruyere, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic aioli. Served with a side of Sprecher beer-flavored kettle chips, you’ve got a true Wisconsin meal from start to finish.
Experience the flavors of Door County at Grasse’s Grill, where Chef Jimmy Grasse works with over a dozen local suppliers to create farm fresh dishes. The Grasse family have been calling Door County home for more than a hundred years, and are passionate about highlighting the area’s unique products in dishes you can’t find just anywhere.
Among a lineup of hand crafted sandwiches you’ll find The Big Cheese – grilled sourdough with herbed parmesan butter, pepper jack, provolone, cheddar and tomato. For the full experience, treat yourself to a slice of house-made Door County cherry pie for dessert.
Browse more restaurants in our directory, and check out these only-in-Wisconsin macaroni and cheese spots.
