Every once in a blue moon, I get a craving for grilled cheese. I’m not looking for wheat bread, or light cheese; only the real deal will work. I bought some extra sharp white cheddar at Trader Joe’s to make the spoon cornbread and decided to recreate my all-time favorite grilled cheese sandwich from Tryst in DC.
Back in college, my girlfriend Becca and I would load up our bags with books and pads and pens and computers and laptop chargers and trek all the way from school to the Adams Morgan neighborhood. Invariably it would be snowing, and we’d have to walk through slush and muck all in the name of studying…well, that and a great grilled cheese.
Tryst features mismatched couches and chairs, fresh sandwiches and desserts, really great coffee, wireless Internet…it’s basically the perfect place to sit and read and study and check out cute artsy-type boys. Even the chai lattes come with animal crackers on the side. I never knew the secret to the grilled cheese (labeled on the menu as “George”) but I seem to have accidently discovered it while making this sandwich Monday night.
I started with freshly baked sourdough bread, from La Brea Bakery. Next, I added a slice of extra sharp white cheddar and a few rounds of tomato off the vine. Finally, I topped it all with a second slice of bread and placed a very heavy pan on top to get everything properly smooshed. Usually I would use butter but only had PAM, which did the trick.
See?
Of course, in Tryst fashion, you must absolutely serve this sandwich with tortilla chips for the savory/salty combination. If you haven’t tried Have’a Corn Chips which are made locally in Laguna Beach and only contain corn, soybean oil, soy sauce and a dash of lime, I suggest you grab a bag. Or five!
Any other grilled cheese musts I should try??
October 21, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Grilled pimiento cheese!
Of course, I was so awestruck by the awesome fact that there is a place that serves animal crackers with chai that I could hardly focus on the rest of your post…
October 21, 2010 at 9:59 pm
You should try green apple slices in between your grilled cheese. I can’t get enough of those chips down here in OC. I eat them allllll the time!
xox
eatingontherunway.blogspot.com
October 22, 2010 at 1:50 am
Mmm, I haven’t had a grilled cheese in awhile … it sounds perfect!
October 22, 2010 at 1:55 am
i love those chips!
i like a sweet n savory combo – maybe try it with raisin bread, a smear of jam (figs!) and i agree with cindy – an apple slice sounds good too!
October 22, 2010 at 12:10 pm
I totally get the same kinda cravings every once and awhile! I loooove a good ol’ grilled cheese with Campbell’s tomato soup..perfection!
October 22, 2010 at 6:54 pm
I love love love grilled haloumi cheese!
October 24, 2010 at 5:34 pm
I love putting thinly sliced fuji apples in my grilled cheese – extra sharp cheddar too – the sweet/salty combo is amazing! 😀
Hope you are having a great weekend!
October 24, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Tryst has the best frozen cappuccinos! Yum!
October 25, 2010 at 5:56 pm
That grilled cheese looks amazing! That is one of my favorite foods.
I love adding fruit to my grilled cheese, like apple or pear. yum!
October 26, 2010 at 11:36 pm
There’s something about sourdough that just makes a grilled sandwich, don’t you think?
I like using provolone and sprinkling some Italian seasoning inside.
October 27, 2010 at 4:02 pm
First–yum to La Brea bakery bread. So good.
I love me a nasty gooey grilled cheese. Lately we’ve been using a combo of mozz and truffle cheese with a dash of truffle salt. It is rich and so delicious. If you haven’t tried truffle salt, it’s a little pricey but a little goes a long way. I’ve been putting it on everything from baked potatoes to popcorn.
October 29, 2010 at 5:41 am
I’ve been to Tryst!! But I only got to try their iced coffee because it was after lunchtime.
Go to Doughboys! I think it’s in Hollywood? Apparently they have amazing grilled cheese and tomato soup…I tried their tuna melt and it was fabulous.
November 1, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Hi Kate! I LOVE grilled cheese sammy’s but don’t make them very often.
My favorite is just sharp cheddar dipped in tomato soup!