Bushra Griffith
Grilled cheese is a beloved dish for many, and it turns out there is a day dedicated to it! National Grilled Cheese Day is celebrated annually on April 12. This day is a chance to indulge in the ultimate comfort food – a crunchy, crispy, and cheesy delight. Whether you like your grilled cheese plain or loaded with extras, it's a sandwich that's easy to make and even easier to enjoy. So, how did this combination of bread and cheese become a national sensation?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | April 12 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Alternative names | National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day, National Grilled Cheese Day |
| Related dishes | Cheese Toast, Toasted Cheese Sandwich, Cheese Toasty, Cheese Dream |
| Related activities | Making grilled cheese sandwiches, eating grilled cheese sandwiches, eating cheese fondue |
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What You'll Learn
Grilled cheese history
Grilled cheese has been a beloved dish for centuries, with food historians noting that humans have been pairing bread and cheese together for a long time. Ancient Roman cookbooks even recommended combining the two at mealtimes. However, cooking them together is a more recent phenomenon.
The term "grilled cheese" emerged in the 1960s when an additional slice of bread was added to the open-faced "Cheese Dream" sandwich, which was popular during the Great Depression. During this time, people sought affordable meals, and grilled cheese sandwiches, made with inexpensive loaves of bread and processed cheese, fit the bill perfectly. The dish was so popular that by the time World War II came around, it was a staple in the diets of the Allied Armed Forces. This led to its integration into school cafeterias and home kitchens.
The grilled cheese sandwich has evolved into unique forms worldwide. In France, it is known as a "croque-monsieur," made with ham, Gruyere cheese, and béchamel sauce. In India, a "paneer sandwich" is made with paneer cheese and served with chutney or other spices. In Spain, a "bocadillo de queso" is crafted with manchego cheese and served on a crusty baguette.
The versatility of grilled cheese has made it a popular choice for takeout and delivery, as it can be tailored to different tastes. It has become a badge of honour for chefs to put their own spin on it, with some even creating sweet versions with ingredients like Nutella or fruit preserves.
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Restaurants to visit
National Grilled Cheese Day is celebrated on 12 April, and many restaurants offer specials to mark the occasion. Here are some restaurants to visit on this cheesy day:
La Madeleine
La Madeleine restaurants offer a grilled cheese special for $7.99 (originally priced at $9.99). The offer is available for dine-in, takeaway, and delivery, and it includes standard sides.
Sonic
Sonic has a Buy One Entrée, Get One Free reward in its app. Customers can use this deal to get two grilled cheese sandwiches for the price of one or a free grilled cheese with the purchase of any entrée.
Pita Pit
On National Grilled Cheese Day, Pita Pit customers can get a free Greek grilled cheese with any purchase made in the restaurant's app using the code GGCFree24.
McAlister’s Deli
McAlister’s Deli rewards members can get a free Kids Toastie (plus taxes and fees) when they buy an adult entrée on National Grilled Cheese Day at participating locations.
Ruthie’s
Ruthie's is a food truck in Dallas, Texas, known for its grilled cheese sandwiches. On National Grilled Cheese Day, the truck serves traditional grilled cheese sandwiches and creative options like the Italian Hippy (basil pesto sauce, grilled tomatoes, and mozzarella on grilled sourdough) and El Cubano (pulled pork, smoked ham, mustard, pickles, and white cheddar cheese on grilled sourdough).
Cru Wine Bar
For an "adult" grilled cheese, the Tellagio and truffle oil grilled cheese at Cru Wine Bar in Dallas, Texas, is a decadent option. It is served with a cup of tomato soup, the classic partner for grilled cheese sandwiches.
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Creative recipes
National Grilled Cheese Day is celebrated on April 12. It is a day to celebrate the ultimate comfort food, the grilled cheese sandwich. While the classic sandwich is made with two slices of plain white bread and cheese, there are many creative recipes to try.
For those who want to stick to the basics but still get creative, try switching up the cheese. Instead of processed cheese, add slices of cheddar, gouda, or munster cheese. If you want to make the sandwich more of a delicacy, try using whole-grain bread.
If you're feeling adventurous, try adding some fresh toppings or unique flavours. Some people add tomatoes, kimchi, and spinach to their grilled cheese sandwiches. You can also experiment with unexpected flavour combinations like blueberry and brie. If you're feeling extra indulgent, try a fancy cheese fondue night with different types of crusty bread and melty cheese. For dessert, trade your cheese for chocolate and your bread for chilled cheesecake cubes to dunk into a fondue pot.
For a healthier option, try using gluten-free bread and dairy-free cheese so that everyone can join in on the celebration. Instead of bread, you could also try using sourdough cake, or baking your own sourdough bread.
If you're not in the mood to cook, you can still celebrate by trying out a grilled cheese sandwich from a specialty grilled cheese restaurant or food truck, or by taking advantage of National Grilled Cheese Day specials at certain restaurants.
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Pairing with drinks
National Grilled Cheese Day is an unofficial holiday that celebrates one of the world's most popular comfort foods: the grilled cheese sandwich. It falls on April 12 and is the perfect opportunity to indulge in this classic dish.
When it comes to pairing drinks with your grilled cheese sandwich, there are a variety of options to choose from, depending on your preferences. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Non-alcoholic drinks
If you're looking for a non-alcoholic beverage to pair with your grilled cheese, consider the following options:
- Coffee: The sweet and nutty notes of Gouda are enhanced when paired with the bitterness of coffee. For a richer experience, try pairing a creamy, triple-cream cheese with coffee that has cream and sugar. If you prefer your coffee black, any rich cheese will do.
- Tea: Tea's natural tannins provide a similar experience to barrel-aged whiskey or red wine. Try pairing a heavier tea like aged Oolong or Pu'er with a savory aged Gouda. For a fresh twist, opt for Yujacha, a Korean tea with notes of citrus that pairs beautifully with a fresh chèvre or aged goat cheese.
- Hot chocolate: The contrast of sweet and piquant makes blue cheese and hot chocolate an underrated duo. For a thinner beverage, go for an American hot chocolate, or reduce the liquid for a thicker, fudgy drinking chocolate that pairs well with a minty blue cheese.
- Soda: Natural sodas with subtle flavours complement cheese without overwhelming it. The carbonation lifts the fat from your tongue, refreshing your palate. Try citrus sodas like San Pellegrino's Limonata and Aranciata, or lower-sugar options like GuS's line of sodas. For something more exotic, opt for the Peruvian chicha morada, made from purple corn and spiced with pineapple and various other spices.
Alcoholic drinks
If you're in the mood for something stronger, here are some alcoholic beverage options to pair with your grilled cheese:
- Wine: The general rule for pairing wine with cheese is that the fresher and drier the cheese, the lighter and less complicated the wine. A herbed goat cheese pairs well with a non-oaked Sauvignon Blanc, while a creamy Camembert calls for a bigger, more complex Cabernet Sauvignon. If you're making a fondue or raclette, go for a light red like Chianti or a light-medium Zinfandel, or opt for a dry white like a Swiss Dole (Pinot Noir and Gamay) or a dry California Sauvignon Blanc. For a classic American grilled cheese, a dry Riesling or Chenin Blanc, a light red Beaujolais-Villages, or a dry Tavel Rose from the Rhone Valley will do the trick.
- Beer: Beer and cheese is a classic combination. For a grilled cheese sandwich, a crisp lager or ale will complement the dish's richness. Try an Anchor Steam, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, or Red Hook Old India Pale Ale. If you're feeling adventurous, opt for an IPA with notes of caramel malt and a hint of floral and citrus.
- Cocktails: For a unique experience, pair your grilled cheese with a cocktail. A pepperoni, jalapeños, and garlic-enhanced sandwich with mozzarella and Parmesan pairs well with a pineapple and cilantro-infused Milagro Reposado Tequila cocktail. For a smoky, savoury sandwich with Gouda and bacon, a cocktail with hints of mint, cucumber, and sake is a perfect match.
Whether you're team non-alcoholic or team alcoholic, there are endless possibilities to pair your grilled cheese with a beverage that enhances its flavour. So, get creative, experiment with different combinations, and most importantly, enjoy your National Grilled Cheese Day!
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Grilled cheese art
National Grilled Cheese Day is celebrated on April 12. This day is a great opportunity to get creative with your grilled cheese sandwiches and celebrate with friends and family. While grilled cheese is a simple dish, it can be made in many different ways and is enjoyed by many.
Grilled cheese sandwich art is a fun and quirky way to celebrate this day and pay homage to the iconic comfort food. Redbubble offers a range of grilled cheese wall art, including humorous prints for the ultimate grilled cheese lover. From cute and childish drawings to more photorealistic images, there is something for everyone. You can find hand-drawn, animated, and imaginative artworks, as well as more traditional art forms like watercolour paintings. These prints often feature tags such as "foodie", "comfort food", "food humour", and "food art".
One example is the "I'm Just Here For The Grilled Cheese" art print, which is a fun and humorous take on the comfort food theme. Another option is the "Grilled Cheese - Iconic Comfort Food Design", which, as the name suggests, celebrates the grilled cheese sandwich as an iconic comfort food.
Fine Art America also offers grilled cheese wall art, including a Cypriot plate with grilled cheese, raw courgette salad, and olives, for a more sophisticated take on grilled cheese art.
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Frequently asked questions
National Grilled Cheese Day is celebrated on April 12.
There are many ways to celebrate National Grilled Cheese Day. You can make a traditional grilled cheese sandwich with two pieces of plain white bread and Kraft singles, or you can get creative with the bread and cheese. You can also make grilled cheese sandwiches with different fillings for all your meals.
The modern grilled cheese sandwich that we enjoy today originated in the 1920s. While we don’t know who invented it, we owe its success to Otto Frederick Rohwedder, who invented the bread slicer during the Industrial Revolution.
