Other states may be able to narrow down their choices and pick just one amazing grilled cheese to rule them all, but we weren't going to even pretend that would be possible here in the Dairy State. Not only might we start a riot by crowning one champion of the best grilled cheese sandwiches in Wisconsin, but frankly we'd be doing everyone a disservice by not introducing you to the many and varied ways folks across the state are taking our favorite food and melting it down and dressing it up.
Grilled cheese is a comfort food and cheese means home for a lot of Wisconsinites. In no particular order, here are the 11 best grilled cheese sandwiches in Wisconsin. Get ready for some amazing, ooey-gooey, melty, and delicious goodness. These mouthwatering eats will make you feel grateful you live in Wisconsin.
1. The Natural Way - Mayville
The key to this sandwich is super-fresh ingredients. There's peppery arugula, salty bacon and fresh-baked rye bread. Committed to organic products, this place also sells natural remedies and products. Address: 35 S Main St, Mayville, Wisconsin. To learn more, visit their Facebook page here.
2. Uber Tap Room - Milwaukee
The companion restaurant and tasting bar to Wisconsin Cheese Mart, Uber Tap Room is the best place to fulfill all your cheesy dreams.
We're not sure you could ever go wrong here, but the Gourmet Cheese with five-year aged cheddar, gruyere, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic aioli has the perfect amount of bite. You'll find this eatery at 1048 N Old World 3rd St, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. To learn more, visit their Facebook page here.
3. Manna Cafe - Madison
Here the sandwich starts with house-baked challah. They add fontina, Monterey jack and Parmesan. But the reason this sandwich makes the list is the house-made tomato jam. Add bacon to offset the soft cheese and you've got a melt-in-you-mouth party. You'll find Manna Cafe at Lakewood Plaza Shopping Center, 611 N Sherman Ave, Madison, WI 53704. To learn more, visit their website here.
4. Camino - Milwaukee
Camino's epic sandwich combines American, Swiss and Provolone cheeses. If that isn't enough to whet your appetite, the cooks then pile on house-made kimchi. It's a wonderfully unique and delicious take on an old classic. You'll find this exceptional restaurant at 434 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI 53204. To learn more, visit their website here.
5. Grasse's Grill - Sister Bay
The Big Cheese is grilled sourdough brushed with herbed parmesan butter. They could stop there, frankly, but they go on to add pepper jack, provolone, cheddar and tomato. Bacon or avocado can be added for a charge. Grasse's Grill is located at 10663 N Bay Shore Dr, Sister Bay, WI 54234. To learn more, visit their website here.
6. The Crow - La Crosse
We might be stretching the definition a bit here, but how could we not include this masterpiece that is two seasoned Angus patties served between two American grilled cheeses? It's simple, yet effective. The Crow is located at 100 3rd St S, La Crosse, WI 54601. To learn more, visit their website here.
7. Comet Cafe - Milwaukee
Comet Cafe is all about comfort food and their standard grilled cheese doesn't deviate far from the mean. Tomatoes, red onions, mozzarella, provolone & herbs. Broiled on an Italian roll & topped with mayo & shredded lettuce. It's served with tomato soup that tastes like they just picked it and it's reassuring, filling and delicious. They make the list for doing something I can't believe I never thought of. The Buttafuoco is the standard listed above topped with hot giardiniera peppers. Genius. Located at 1947 N Farwell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
8. The Old Fashioned - Madison
The Old Fashioned is an homage to all that is right and good about Wisconsin, and they know how to let our culinary favorites shine. Their grilled cheese is made with swiss, aged cheddar, wood-roasted red bell peppers and hickory-smoked bacon on Texas toast. It's the smoky deliciousness of the bacon that really takes this one over the top. The Old Fashioned is located at 23 N Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703. Click here to learn more.
9. Wild Tomato - Fish Creek
Everyone in Door County knows to head to Wild Tomato for pizza, but they also make a killer grilled cheese. Folks made their dislike of too many veggies on a grilled cheese known, but this one is so interesting, we think you have to find your inner herbivore and try it out. This tasty dish is made with Widmer’s brick cheese, Door County Creamery roasted cauliflower chevre, grilled red pepper, grilled red onion, and mixed greens on whole grain bread. Wild Tomato is located at 4023 WI-42, Fish Creek, WI 54212. Click here to learn more.
10. Club Charlie's - Milwaukee
You've probably passed this place a million times wandering the Third Ward or heading to the lakefront. Little did you know they were harboring a sandwich dripping with five different cheeses - cheddar, jack, provolone, swiss and American. You should go ahead and just add the sixth cheese, smoked gouda, for the extra $1. Revel in all that amazing mixed up cheesy goodness and remember where you got this insider information! Club Charlie's is located at 320 E Menomonee St, Milwaukee, WI 53202. To learn more, visit their website here.
11. Melted Food Truck - Madison
These folks call themselves the "Cadillac of Grilled Cheese" and you can find them all over Madison, though during the Dane County Farmer's Market they're usually parked right on Capitol Square. You literally cannot go wrong here, though we're partial to this jalapeno popper sandwich that uses pickled jalapenos and cream cheese to create a comfort food hybrid for the ages. Click here to learn more.
Who do you think makes the best grilled cheese sandwiches in Wisconsin? Make sure you let us know in the comments! And if you know another local eatery we should feature, nominate it on our online form here!
Looking for more Wisconsin cheese? Check out our previous article: The Great Wisconsin Cheese Trail Is Everything You’ve Ever Dreamed Of And More
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