Top Picks: Grilled Cheese in LA

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Believe it or not Los Angelenos take their grilled cheese very seriously. From comfort food to culinary couture, grilled cheese appeals to a wide range of appetites, as well as both professional and amateur gourmands. And, for those who call LA home, the city houses a number of noteworthy spots serving up both classic and innovative takes on the diner staple. LA Weekly recently rounded up its favorite top ten locales to hit if you're looking to satisfy a hankering for grilled cheese. Find a selection of half-a-dozen of those posts just after the jump.

[Photo by charliechu/Flickr]

Clementine

1751 Ensley Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90024

This Century City eatery houses some of the best grilled cheese in all of Los Angeles. The spot's varying options for melted deliciousness include "chili grilled cheese, … queso mahon and chorizo, and provolone with hot Italian sausages." And, there's nothing stagnant about this locale's selection: "each week, new combinations and mash-ups are offered on their very popular special grilled cheese menu."
(photo)[link]

N 34° 3.37090 W 118° 25.15700

Bread Bar

8718 W 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90048

This chain bakery in LA serves up some of the most savory fresh breads around. And, they make an ideal caccoon for Bread Bars equally noteworthy grilled cheese sandwich. … "BreadBar's grilled cheese combines fresh mozerella, sundried tomato spread, and onion confit." Served on rustic millstone bread with a mixed salad on the side, it's not cheap ($11.75) but it's definitely one of the best you'll find.
[link]

N 34° 4.24578 W 118° 22.56038

The Edison

108 W 2nd St
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Surprisingly, this downtown bar holds a weekly drink special that's easy on your wallet and includes a stellar grilled cheese sandwich. Every Friday, The Edison hosts its … version of a soup kitchen; translation: "35-cent cocktails team up with complimentary grilled cheese bites and tomato soup."
(photo)[link]

N 34° 3.3690 W 118° 14.42284

Pete's Cafe & Bar

400 S Main St
Los Angeles, CA 90013

Located right in the heart of downtown's arts district, Pete's Cafe & Bar cooks up a mean grilled cheese. For starters, there's the Supreme Grilled Cheese: "a … combination of cheddar, mozzarella, blue and goat cheeses topped with caramelized onions." But, if you're looking for something more simple, there's always the the traditional that's made with solely sharp cheddar and tomatoes.[link]

N 34° 2.52677 W 118° 14.49783

Campanile Restaurant

624 S La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Campanile takes its grilled cheese so seriously the restaurant dedicates every Thursday night to the concoction. Every week, "Chef Mark Peel creates a menu of seasonal, … regionally inspired sandwiches that are served on another city favorite, the restaurant's neighbor, La Brea Bakery breads." Dishes include the likes of a Croques Monsieur and shouldn't be missed by anyone who considers themselves a proper grilled cheese connoisseur.[link]

N 34° 3.50947 W 118° 20.38353

Foundry On Melrose

7463 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036

This Melrose institution offers what LA Weekly calls "the grilled cheese to top all gourmet grilled cheese." In other words, think: "toasted raisin bread filled with … tallegio cheese, short ribs, arugula, and apricot caper puree" (aka: Chef Eric Greenspan's genius incarnate).
(photo)[link]

N 34° 5.1078 W 118° 21.9223