Craving a Grilled Cheese? Here’s Where to Get One in Metro Detroit

Local spots like Mongers’ Provisions, Café Muse, and Nu Deli serve up can’t-miss takes on the classic
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Cafe Muse - grilled cheese
Cafe Muse’s grilled cheese has been named one of the best in the country. // Photograph by David Smith

Who doesn’t love a day dedicated to grilled cheese? We’re rounding up some of the can’t-miss sandwiches in the metro Detroit area. Check them out below.

Café Muse

Café Muse has one of the best grilled cheese sandwiches in the country. Don’t just take our word for it though. Esquire magazine, Oprah’s Sandwich Showdown, and Reader’s Digest have all lauded the Royal Oak restaurant for its take on the classic sandwich. The latter even named Café Muse’s grilled cheese “one of the perfect grilled cheese sandwiches in America.” The $10.25 sandwich features three locally sourced cheeses — Havarti, fontina, and fresh mozzarella ­— basil, tomatoes, and honey. Café Muse, 418 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak; 248-544-4749; cafemuseroyaloak.com

One-Eyed Betty’s

One-Eyed Betty’s is a solid go-to if you’re craving a simple yet refined version of the classic grilled cheese. The restaurant’s Ridiculously Good Grilled Cheese is served on toasted sourdough bread and comes with sweet tomato jam for dipping. The $11 sandwich is served with fries, or for an upcharge, a choice of premium side like onion rings, roasted vegetables, or mashed potatoes. One-Eyed Betty’s, 175 W. Troy St., Ferndale; 248-808-6633; oneeyedbettys.com

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HopCat’s Madtown Grilled Cheese features unexpected ingredients like apple slices, honey, and garlic aioli. // Photograph courtesy of HopCat

HopCat

This Michigan chain puts a flavor-forward spin on the grilled cheese with unexpected add-ins. Built between two slices of grilled sourdough, the Madtown Grilled Cheese is $11.25 and features dill Havarti, smoked gouda, and muenster cheeses along with apple slices, garlic aioli, and honey. The sandwich is served with a cup of HopCat’s roasted red pepper gouda bisque. HopCat, 4265 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-769-8828; hopcat.com

Avalon International Breads

Avalon is known for its breads. So, it’s no surprise that its grilled cheese sandwich is worth checking out. The $10 Grown Up Grilled Cheese is made with Havarti, goat cheese, tomato, and the shop’s scallion dill bread. Avalon also offers a simple kid’s grilled cheese for $5. Avalon International Breads, multiple locations; avalonbreads.net

Joebar

Dad Jokes 2.0 is one of two options on the veg/vegan section of Joebar’s sandwich-focused menu. Grilled with garlic butter, this grilled cheese is made with provolone, Swiss, aged cheddar, and spicy pickles. The $12.14 sandwich is served with tomato soup and a McClure’s pickle, and for an additional charge, you can add on a side of fries or sweet potato fries. Joebar, 23839 John R Road, Hazel Park; 248-291-5711; joebar.com

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Featuring artisanal ingredients, The Flaming Fig at Mongers’ Provisions is an elevated take on your classic grilled cheese. // Photograph courtesy of Mongers’ Provisions

Mongers’ Provisions

This cheese, chocolate, and charcuterie shop offers grilled cheese sandwiches seven days a week at its Detroit location. Pulling from its stock of artisanal ingredients, items on Mongers’ Provisions’ grilled cheese menu range from $7-$10 and include the Cheeza!, which is made with Widmer brick cheese, Zingerman’s mozzarella, Ezzo pepperoni, and a touch of tomato paste, and The Flaming Fig, a sandwich with the spicy Milton Creamery 4-Alarm Cheddar, Smoking Goose capocollo, and Dalmatia Fig Spread. All sandwiches are served on Crispelli’s sourdough and come with a choice of olives, cornichons, apricots, or cherries. The shop also offers weekly grilled cheese and soup specials. Mongers’ Provisions, 4240 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-651-7119; mongersprovisions.com

Nu Deli

Nu Deli serves up classic dishes with an Indian twist. For its grilled cheese option — called “Nu Grilled Cheese” — the metro Detroit food truck builds the sandwich with four kinds of cheese, crunchy Italian bread, tangy mango chutney, and stone-ground mustard. The sandwich is $8 and is served with a pickle and house-flavored chips. Nu Deli; visit thenudeli.com for locations

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Royale with Cheese serves up an over-the-top sandwich with fondue. // Photograph courtesy of Royal with Cheese

Royale with Cheese

Inspired by the film Pulp Fiction, Royale with Cheese is known for its lineup of indulgent burgers. But don’t sleep on the grilled cheese. The $9 “All Up In Your Grill” Cheese Sandwich features smoked gouda, parmesan, a fried egg, turkey bacon, and cheese fondue — yes, there’s fondue. The over-the-top sandwich comes with roasted tomato basil soup, and customers can make their meal a combo to add on Royale Fries — which come in flavors like fresh herb and garlic, smokey BBQ, and parmesan — and a fountain drink or shake. Royale with Cheese, 4163 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-315-3014; royalewithcheese.menu

Luxe Bar and Grill

Fittingly, this local restaurant serves up a luxe grilled cheese. Made with grilled multi-grain bread, the $14.50 sandwich features gruyere, muenster, and goat cheeses as well as arugula, pickled jalapeño, and red onion relish. The sandwich also comes with a cup of homemade soup — the perfect companion for dipping. Luxe Bar and Grill, 525 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-792-6051; and 115 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-924-5459; luxebarandgrill.com

Zingerman’s Bakehouse

Each Wednesday, Zingerman’s Bakehouse offers a $5 grilled cheese as a lunchtime special. The sandwich features classic aged cheddar on sourdough bread and customers can add fresh tomato and honey mustard to their order. If this sandwich interests you, make sure to stop by as early as possible – when they’re gone, they’re gone. Zingerman’s Bakehouse, 3711 Plaza Dr., Ann Arbor; 734-761-2095; zingermansbakehouse.com