The 12 Best Grilled Cheese Sandwiches In The U.S.

You’ll love eating the Shoo Grill Cheese, Have Mercy at Tupelo Honey Café in Asheville, N.C., as much as you’ll love ordering it. (The owners say this sandwich is so delicious and filling that it makes diners exclaim, “shoo mercy!”) We’re inclined to believe them: Havarti and pimento cheeses, caramelized onions, maple-peppered bacon, ham, fried green tomatoes and fresh basil are packed between housemade sourdough slices, and heated to melty perfection. 12 College St., Asheville, NC; tupelohoneycafe.com (Tupelo Honey Café)

At first glance, this may look more like a fancy appetizer than an old-school comfort food, but look — and taste — again. At Beauty & Essex in N.Y.C., classic grilled cheese and tomato soup inspired chef Chris Santos to “create these dumplings so you could have those two great tastes that go great together in one bite,” he says of his Grilled Cheese, Smoked Bacon & Tomato Soup Dumplings. The secret to its flavor? It’s packed with a secret blend of five different cheeses “for maximum melty cheese goodness.” 146 Essex St., NYC; beautyandessex.com (Beauty & Essex)

Need a grilled cheese fix on the go? If you’re in Washington, D.C., track down Pepe, the Spanish sandwich food truck from legendary chef José Andrés. There’s a reason lines form early in front of his meals on wheels: The grilled cheese comes on fresh ficelle bread (a thin baguette) with a blend of aged manchego, Murcia goat cheese, chèvre, blue cheese and a smear of membrillo (a quince marmalade) for a touch of sweetness. A quick stop in the panini press gives each sandwich a golden brown crust and ooey-gooey center. See twitter.com/pepefoodtruck for locations (Pepe Food Truck)