San Francisco
1799 McAllister St. // Located on the quieter section of McAllister and Fulton, Matching Half Cafe serves great sandwiches, salads, coffee, wine, beer and pastries. Their grilled cheese sandwich comes on a grilled baguette with a side of chutney that will leave you more than satisfied.
925 Market St. // The Melt isn't shy about its devotion to grilled cheese, serving up exciting twists on the classic sandwich. We like the Egg-In-A-Hole and the Italian Job, which ditches American cheese for fontina and provolone. If you feel a sudden yet specific craving for mac 'n' cheese on your grilled cheese, The Melt is your spot.
600 Guerrero St. // The only true way to avoid the long lines at Tartine is to get there exactly when they open, at 7:30 in the morning. Do this and you might have a shot at ordering their goat cheese grilled cheese sandwich. With bread that’s made in-house and local goat cheese, this sandwich will rock your world. Make sure to save room for the banana cream pie!
736 Valencia St. // It would be pretty disappointing if a restaurant with cheese in the title didn’t make a great grilled cheese. Fortunately, this Mission based sit-down restaurant delivers with a pristine Cheddar and Chutney grilled cheese sandwich.
799 Battery St. // It would be even MORE disappointing if a place with grilled cheese in the title didn’t deliver. The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen does however, in a big way. It’s got breakfast grilled cheese, plain ol’ grilled cheese, mac n' cheese grilled cheese, gluten free grilled cheese, and about a billion other variations. The AGCK should make you proud to be an American.
4001 Judah St. // Outerlands is known for having some of the best bread in San Francisco. Given that hefty achievement, it makes sense that their garlic grilled cheese would take what the sandwich can be to a whole other level.
Chomp N' Swig
1541 Clement St. // Chomp N' Swig functions primarily as a beer bar, but this Richmond District hole-in-the-wall has some of the best bar bites in SF, including cuban sandwiches, tacos, tater tots, churros and of course, a gooey grilled cheese. To get the full experience, make sure to add guacamole.
East Bay
375 40th St., Oakland // Equal parts beer hall and restaurant, Hog’s Apothecary has made numerous “best grilled cheese” lists. Order the Say Cheese which comes with apple & arugula and see why.
1644 Telegraph Ave., Oakland // Regardless of what you get on it, Dogwood’s Taleggio grilled cheese is always perfectly crisp and melted.
907 Washington St., Oakland // The Cook & Her Farmer is a cafe, oyster, and wine bar in the heart of Oakland. Their signature grilled cheese, The Big Sur Melt, comes with Florida Gulf shrimp and local heirloom tomato. All parts of the country are represented in this bi-coastal grilled cheese!
2442 Durant Ave., Berkeley // The grilled cheese for this Berkeley hot spot comes with cheese… and some stuff. 'Nuff said.
North Bay
355 Corte Madera Ave., Corte Madera // Blue Barn in Corte Madera is best known for their sandwiches and salads. They have four different types of grilled cheese sandwiches, each one featuring a different cheese. Pro-tip: Go with the Burrata.
355 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo // People travel from all over Marin County to try Comfort’s Chinese Chicken Salad. While the salad is pretty incredible, it’s hard to beat their combination sandwich of Cheddar cheese, avocado, and Acme sourdough.
100 West Spain St., Sonoma // Easily the most upscale sandwich on the list, The Girl and The Fig’s grilled cheese sandwich is for special occasions. Their grilled cheese comes with pommes frites and a tomato confit. Who knew a sandwich could be so classy?
South Bay
374 South 1st St., San Jose // Cafe Stritch, located in downtown San Jose, hosts live jazz music on Thursday nights. Pair that with a grilled cheese and tomato soup and you’ve got the perfect cozy evening.
Still hungry? Check out our guides to the Sandwiches of the City and the best wings in the Bay.
Written by Chris Begler
