The Most Delicious Grilled Cheese in Every State for National Grilled Cheese Day (#37 Is Like Grandma's)

A cozy staple that's served with a can of tomato soup, grilled cheese sounds like such a simple sandwich, but on National Grilled Cheese Day, it's worth celebrating just how far it's come.

The grown-up, gourmet, and over-the-top versions are much more than a kid's lunch; they're big enough and packed with savory flavors for a full dinner.

If you're looking to celebrate properly on April 12 (or just want an excuse to travel more), here are some of the most beloved grilled cheese destinations in each state, serving up the very best this classic has to offer.

Alabama: The Cheese Cottage (Mobile)

The Cheese Cottage is the place to go for grown-up grilled cheese, which you can get with a crisp glass of wine.

They are famous for their grilled cheese sandwiches, with options like the French Onion Grilled Cheese or the pimento gouda and bacon jam.

Alaska: Bread and Brew (Anchorage)

It's quite the fun place to eat with hip, relaxed décor and over 20 craft beers available at any given time. But what Bread and Brew does well is create a solid, authentic, traditional grilled cheese that's hard to beat.

The grilled cheese's tried-and-true sharp and white cheddar cheese is excellent — especially the apple and bacon version. If you want something different, you won't be disappointed by the Big Dill or Aloha grilled cheese sandwiches.

Arizona: Cheese Out! Food Truck (Phoenix)

Cheese Out! Food Truck is a fantastic food truck noted for its 70s theme, far-out grilled cheese, and other menu items.

The truck moves from one location to the next, but if you can find it, choose between the Plain Mary Jane Melt or the Cheese Out Melt (with plenty of other options on the menu, too).

Arkansas: Hammontree's Grilled Cheese (Fayetteville)

Hammontree's Grilled Cheese isn't a boring or basic sandwich but aims to be innovative in a bar-like setting.

The shop offers a range of gourmet grilled cheeses, including the Caprese Melt with mozzarella, tomato bruschetta, pesto, fresh basil leaf, and their house cheese blend on two thick sourdough slices. 

California: The Melt (San Francisco)

Grilled cheese goodness could be defined by the length of the cheese pull. If that were the case, The Melt would be the perfect choice.

The restaurant states they have no badly sourced ingredients and that there are no artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors in them.

When it comes to melts, choose from options like the Mac Daddy with its mac and cheese filler or the Egg-In-A-Hole with a sunny-side-up egg.

Colorado: Big B's Soup & Grilled Cheese (Idaho Springs)

What makes the grilled cheese at Big B's Soup & Grilled Cheese unique is the third slice of bread that's in between, which allows for better tomato-soup soaking.

For a fun option, choose the Big Islander, which includes pineapple, mango, jalapeno, cilantro, and avocado with pepper jack cheese.

Connecticut: Crispy Melty By Caseus (Wallingford)

Once known as The Cheese Truck, Crispy Melty By Caseus is the grilled cheese that comes to you (along with soups, salads, and quesadillas).

While The Classic is a great choice, don't overlook the Cuban, with its addition of pulled pork, smoked ham, pickles, and whole grain mustard.

Delaware: The Bellefonte Cafe (Wilmington)

A noted Boho-themed location with live music and a fun, colorful vibe, The Bellefonte Café has some outstanding selections on its menu.

A full line of pressed sandwiches is available, including the classic grilled cheese that has brie, provolone, and truffle oil. There's also a huge assortment of vegan options on the menu.

Florida: Ms. Cheezious (Miami)

Ms. Cheezious is a Miami food truck noted for its artisanal grilled cheese, the perfect bite when heading to the beach or to do some shopping.

It's been ranked one of the top food trucks in the country by Food Network and also has a brick-and-mortar location on Biscayne Blvd.

Our recommendation is the Sweet Meltdown, which is a decadent blend of ricotta cheese and orange marmalade that's served with a luscious chocolate dipping sauce.

Georgia: & Cheese (Atlanta)

Gourmet grilled cheese is the understatement at & Cheese, with exceptional attention to detail put into every meal.

Try the Buckhead, grilled cheese on seasoned marbled rye with aged white cheddar, fontina, provolone, Swiss, and parmesan, topped with truffle oil and balsamic glaze.

Hawaii: Aloha Melt Waikiki (Honolulu)

It's simple and straightforward in its appearance, but Aloha Melt Waikiki offers some outstanding grilled cheese options.

Or, stick with the Classic — which is anything but. It offers cheddar, mozzarella, provolone, and American cheese, along with caramelized onion, bacon, and an aioli sauce made in-house.

Idaho: Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese (Coeur d'Alene)

Why keep it simple when you can make it extreme? This fun, counter-service destination is noted for its great customer service and intense flavor.

Consider the Sri-Ranch-A Rush, with a four cheese blend, garlicky chicken, crispy bacon, and zesty pickled jalapeños.

Illinois: Cheesie's Pub & Grub (Chicago)

A casual sandwich shop with a full selection of craft beers, Cheesie's Pub & Grub is known for its food truck in the heart of Chicago.

On the menu are plenty of perfect grilled cheese options, including The Mac, which includes house-made macaroni and cheese along with an American cheese and cheddar cheese spread. 

Indiana: Fat Dan's Deli (Indianapolis)

A fun location with a Chicago vibe, Fat Dan's Deli is the perfect location on a warm day when you want to sit outside with a drink and a gooey grilled cheese.

Their menu includes a thick grilled cheese sandwich that is perfectly toasted with brie, provolone, tomato, American, and cheddar.

Iowa: Cheese Bar (Des Moines)

A laidback bar, Cheese Bar is more than just a simple sandwich shop. There's a full wine and beer menu for those who need something more grown-up to go with your mac and cheese.

As for the grilled cheese, choose from numerous options like the Bacon & Blue or the Prosciutto and Jam. 

Kansas: The Wheel Barrel (Topeka)

Quite the rustic spot. You wouldn't know they have such a fantastic menu of gourmet grilled cheese and craft brews at The Wheel Barrel.

The cheese pull is real here, especially on The How Now Bleu Cow, a blend of blue cheese and mozzarella, roast beef, bacon, caramelized onion jam, and a decadent garlic parmesan aioli.

Kentucky: Sidebar Grill (Lexington)

Sidebar Grill has the perfect grilled cheese and homemade tomato soup combo out there, perfect for a rainy day.

Though known for fantastic ground sirloin burgers, they have a fantastic grilled cheese you can customize with two cheese options and additional toppings.

Louisiana: Turkey and the Wolf (New Orleans)

Turkey and the Wolf has a fantastic Grown Up Grilled Cheese in this Southern-style destination.

The Collard and Green Melt has slow-cooked collards, cherry pepper dressing, Swiss cheese, and cole slaw on rye bread. 

Maine: Cheese Louise Portland (Portland)

It's such an easy-going, fun-loving destination that you'll feel right at home here. The menu, which offers both vegan and gluten-free options, offers some great cocktails, too.

Consider the Vermonter, which includes Cabot cheddar and muenster cheeses on a toasty sourdough.

Or, try the Godmother, which has tomatoes, basil, a balsamic glaze, pesto, and fresh mozzarella. 

Maryland: The Grilled Cheese & Co. (Catonsville)

The best place for comfort food in Maryland is Grilled Cheese & Co, a small, counter-service location that offers some fantastic sandwiches.

Check out the Crabby Melt, which is what they are known for. It's made with their signature Crabby Dip, which includes sweet claw crab meat. The sandwich is then topped with Monterey Jack cheese and toasted to perfection.

Massachusetts: Roxy's Grilled Cheese & Burgers (Boston)

Roxy's Grilled Cheese & Burgers set out with a mission to be the type of place customers tell their friends about, thanks to their good quality food.

Once just a grilled cheese food truck, today, they're much more. One of the best options on the menu is the Hot Honey Bacon with applewood smoked bacon and spicy honey.

Michigan: The Grilled Cheese Shack (Saugatuck)

Stop by the shack (quite literally) to get a grilled cheese with kettle chips. At The Grilled Cheese Shack, you can choose from some pretty awesome options, including a build-your-own sandwich.

The Three Cheese Melt is the best recommendation from some customers, with its blend of gouda, pepper jack, and cheddar. Don't overlook the other hot specialty melts on the menu, too.

Minnesota: All Square (Minneapolis)

Easily considered one of the best destinations for grilled cheese and tomato soup, All Square is a fun, social place that has an upbeat, light air to it.

Amongst the neon lights, you'll find several craft grilled cheese options, including The Jerk, which features guava jam, Jamaican jerk sauce, mozzarella, and roasted chicken.

Mississippi: Nite Lite (Jackson)

It's a simple destination and the best place to get good food made simply. Nite Lite also has a great grilled cheese made on a hoagie bug and served with one of several homemade soups.

You can also come in for the trivia night or to meet some friends for drinks.

Missouri: Gooey's Grilled Cheese (Springfield)

Find the Gooey's Grilled Cheese food truck for the perfect assortment of comfort foods out there.

It's a fun location where the food is excellent. No matter what you choose, you'll get tons of cheese. Be sure to check out the Pizzeria version, which is a grilled cheese and pizza mash-up.

Montana: Storm Castle Café (Bozeman)

Storm Castle Cafe is a farm-to-table location, and that's because the husband and wife team actually own both!

With rustic vibes and a fantastic, simple design, this is a fantastic location for both breakfast and lunch. The grilled cheese is great with its farm fresh ingredients.

Nebraska: Paradise Bakery and Cafe (Gretna)

Paradise Bakery and Cafe is known for their Grilled Cheese, calling it the "best grilled-cheese in town." The Grilled Cheese Deluxe Panini can be fashioned with your choice of a meat and avocados.

The cafe is focused on serving quality food with fresh ingredients daily. Plus, they serve other signature items like house-baked croissants.

Nevada: Stripchezze (Las Vegas)

When you're in Las Vegas craving a cheesy snack, find the Stripchezze Food Truck.

There's plenty to try on the menu, including the Jam On It, which includes bacon jam on grilled cheese, or the Daddy's On a Roll, which offers mac and cheese melted right into the sandwich.

New Hampshire: Puritan Backroom (Manchester)

In business since 1917, Puritan Backroom knows how to serve delicious food, especially their Grilled Ham & Swiss Cheese sandwich. 

You can also pair your sandwich with delicious appetizers, sides, and a scoop of homemade ice cream. 

New Jersey: Grilled Cheese at the Melt Factory (Morristown)

If you've had a few too many drinks, the food at Grilled Cheese at the Melt Factory is sure to hit the spot.

This is a small destination, but they are big on good food made in-house. Numerous options are on the menu, including versions such as a Chicken Parmesan, Cheesy Mac and Rib, and the Avocado version.

New Mexico: Cheese and Coffee (Albuquerque)

Albuquerque residents can stop into Cheese and Coffee for a filling meal with lots of healthy salads and deli sandwiches. The location is noted for its higher-quality products, including good coffee.

The menu at this upscale eatery includes the Arty Special, which includes ham, green chile, cheddar, and bacon grilled on a sourdough bun for cheesy goodness.

New York: Murray's Cheese Bar (New York City)

It's certainly upscale, but the grilled cheese at Murray's Cheese Bar really is one of the best options in the city.

You can always get the Murray's Melt, which has a blend of three cheeses on Pullman. 

North Carolina: Papi Queso (Charlotte)

Papi Queso is a quick-service food truck designed to fill you up on your busy day. The menu is straightforward: grilled cheese and tomato soup, a perfectly filling combo.

For something especially unique, check out the Texas Cheesesteak version, which includes smoked brisket with garlic aioli, peppers, onions, and provolone whiz cheese.

North Dakota: Blarney Stone Pub (Bismarck)

For a unique twist on a grilled cheese, stop by Blarney Stone Pub. Their menu features a delicious Crispy Chicken tender Melt, which is loaded with melted American and Pepperjack cheese alongside breaded chicken tenders, bacon, mayo, pickles, and tomatoes.

Ohio: The Grilled Cheese Specialist (Parma)

The Grilled Cheese Specialist is the easy choice in Ohio for grilled cheese that's anything but boring. This fun, laid-back eatery makes it a point to be as unique as possible.

These sandwiches combine bread and cheese and a variety of other ingredients. Try the Back Yard BBQ, a version with Swiss cheese, roasted pork, onions, shaved ham, and barbecue sauce. 

Oklahoma: The Mule (Oklahoma City)

The Mule offers the Big A** Grilled Cheese, which includes cheddar and smoked gouda on huge sourdough. You can add bleu or bacon to it, too.

This destination is a lively destination, noted for its cocktails and craft beer menu nearly as much as its higher-quality food options.

Oregon: Tillamook Creamery Cafe (Tillamook)

Located at the famous Tillamook Creamery on the Oregon coast, their food hall is a must-visit for cheese lovers, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how its iconic dairy products are made. Its signature Double Cheddar Grilled Cheese features a blend of sharp and medium cheddars melted between thick slices of sourdough, creating the perfect balance of rich flavor and gooey texture.

Pro tip: use one of the top travel credit cards to earn rewards and points when you book your next trip as well as when you enjoy eating out. 

Pennsylvania: Gracie's On West Main (Leola)

This cozy, made-from-scratch café in Lancaster County is known for putting a creative spin on classic comfort food, with a menu full of indulgent, bacon-forward dishes and inventive sandwiches.

Its standout grilled cheese options range from a sweet-and-savory bacon jam version to bold builds like the Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese, layering pulled pork with cheddar and American cheese, along with an apple butter barbecue for a gooey, over-the-top bite.

Rhode Island: Malted Barley (Providence)

There's lots to love about this small destination, including the grilled cheese with gooey, melted provolone and cheddar on an asiago, parmesan-topped pretzel bun.

Stop in, enjoy one of the rotating craft brews on the menu, and play a bit of foosball with friends.

South Carolina: Tattooed Moose (North Charleston)

The Super Melty Grilled Cheese at the Tattooed Moose is a must, especially thanks to the fresh sourdough bread they use that's loaded with American Cheese. 

You could also get a side of their famous duck fat fries and one of their delicious desserts. Even Guy Fieri gave the spot top marks. 

South Dakota: Bread & Circus Sandwich Kitchen (Sioux Falls)

Draft beer, wines served by the glass, fresh soups, and yummy grilled cheese make for the perfect comfort food combo for adults.

Find it at Bread & Circus Sandwich Kitchen, where you can also get curried cauliflower and falafel with your meal.

Tennessee: The Grilled Cheeserie (Nashville)

At the Grilled Cheeserie, you'll find numerous specialty melts, including the Quesabirria Melt, with beef birria, cumin, lime aioli, and white cheddar cheese on white sourdough. The Grilled Cheeserie is one of the best-known food trucks in the city. 

Texas: Dallas Grilled Cheese Co. (Dallas)

Dallas Grilled Cheese Co. is the destination for the best grilled cheese in the city, with reimagined takes on the classic sandwich. 

These unique sandwiches include their Bacon Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese, Grilled Pimento Cheese, their Grilled Mac 'N Cheese, and several other ooey-gooey options. 

Utah: Toasters Deli (Salt Lake City)

Toasters is all about quality and custom-crafted sandwiches made with locally sourced ingredients. Less of a traditional grilled cheese and a bit more refined, the Premium sandwich at Toasters is a must-consider option.

This sandwich includes olive oil with balsamic vinegar on a big, crusty piece of bread. Inside is a combination of prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, tomato, and roasted red peppers.

Vermont: The Meltdown Grilled Cheese and Tap Room (Barre)

Noted as being a beautiful location right on the waterfront, The Meltdown Grilled Cheese and Tap Room is an excellent choice for lunch. The upscale destination not only offers live music and fun activities but also some of the most outstanding grilled cheese anywhere.

Consider options like Donna's Lobster Grilled Cheese or the Apple, Fig, and Brie Grilled Cheese.

Virginia: Cheesetique (Alexandria)

A wine bar and fabulous restaurant noted for its cheese-heavy menu, Cheesetique is the type of place you want to meet friends for a Saturday lunch or lounge around on a relaxing afternoon.

Many options are worthy of consideration, but favorites include The Southern Comfort with its spicy pimiento cheese and the Sassy Goat.

Washington: Beecher's Handmade Cheese (Seattle)

Beecher's Handmade Cheese puts time and attention into fantastic sandwiches and soups made in-house in its sit-down café.

They craft exceptional cheese, and it shows in its Grilled Cheese, including its Beecher's Flagship and Just Jack cheeses perfectly.

West Virginia: The Cheese Melt Grill and Bar (Wheeling)

In Wheeling, stop at The Cheese Melt Grill & Bar, a simple, no-fuss location noted for its delicious, filling food. It all started with a food truck, but now, this sit-down location offers an exceptional cheese-focused menu.

That includes the Classic Grilled Cheese, which includes two big cuts of bread with your choice of your favorite cheese. 

Wisconsin: MACS (Appleton)

Macaroni and Cheese Shop (MACS) has some outstanding mac and cheese and grilled cheese options that people come to get from far and wide.

The location, which opened in 2013, takes its menu seriously, with options like Chicken Bacon Ranch and the Chipotle Melt.

Wyoming: Liberty Burger (Jackson)

The Liberty Burger is a favorite local place to get good burgers and floats, but the Grilled Cheese is also exceptional. It's made with Swiss, American, and Cheddar cheeses and served with pickles. You can add bacon and tomato to it as well.

Quite the laid-back location, this restaurant offers surprisingly sustainable and artisanal foods across its extensive menu.

Bottom line

Grilled cheese is a sandwich that lends itself to versatility and creativity, depending on what tempts your taste buds.

This type of comfort food can be as simple or gourmet as you like — whether you pair it with a soda, craft beer, or fine wine. And, most of the time, it isn't expensive to order a grilled cheese, so you can stretch your restaurant budget. 

There's no doubt you'll find something at each location, so hit the road in search of your new favorite toasted, gooey treat.