Grilled Cheese Favorites Around Sonoma County
Putting cheese on bread is no novel concept — people have been uniting the two ingredients as far back as ancient Rome. The method of combining them, however, is another story. One of our favorite ways is the grilled cheese sandwich.
One of the first iterations of a grilled cheese came from, you guessed it, France. The French Croque Monsieur, a griddled ham and cheese sandwich, came about in the early 1900s. It wasn’t until a few decades later that the grilled cheese sandwich made a proper appearance in the United States.
Otto Frederick Rohwedder invented the first automatic bread-slicing machine in Iowa in 1928, making the distribution of bread easier and more affordable. During the depression and World War II, Americans in search of cheap, filling meals looked to sliced bread and processed cheese from J.L. Kraft & Bros. Company (later known as Kraft Foods), which had opened its first U.S. plant in 1914. The cheese dream, an open-faced version of the grilled cheese sandwich, became popular during this time.
By 1949, Kraft Foods introduced its individually wrapped Kraft Singles, which American supermarkets began stocking in 1965. It was around this time that people began making closed, toasted cheese sandwiches and the term “grilled cheese” finally made an appearance in print.
A simple yet tasty grilled cheese sandwich is the ultimate kid-friendly meal, but adults shouldn’t have to miss out on all the gooey, cheesy deliciousness. Sonoma County restaurateurs are serving elevated versions of the tried and true classic. Here are a few to try on National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day (April 12) or any day of the year.
Galvan’s Eatery
Birria Grilled Cheese: Griddled Texas toast stuffed with melted cheese and tender birria.
Location: Food truck (Sonoma County)
Phone: 707-836-5087
Website: instagram.com/galvanseatery
KC’s American Kitchen
Ultimate Grilled Cheese: Cheddar and jack on parmesan sourdough.
Location: 9501 Duvander Lane, Windsor
Phone: 707-838-7800
Website: kcsamericankitchen.com
Nimble & Finn’s
Pear and Cambozola Grilled Cheese: Tapenade, caramelized onion, pear jam, sourdough.
Location: 123 Fourth St., Santa Rosa (Santa Rosa location only)
Phone: 707-666-9590
Website: nimbleandfinns.com
Betty’s Fish & Chips
Grilled Crab & Jack Cheese: Dungeness crab and jack cheese on sourdough.
Location: 4046 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa
Phone: 707-539-0899
Website: bettysfishandchips.com
Cozy Plum Bistro
Pesto Grilled Cheese: Vegan provolone, tomato, pesto on herb focaccia.
Location: 6970 McKinley St., Sebastopol
Phone: 707-823-3333
Website: cozyplum.com
Wild Goat Bistro
Adult Grilled Cheese: Comté, gruyere, bacon, caramelized shallots.
Location: 6 Petaluma Blvd. N., Suite A5, Petaluma
Phone: 707-658-1156
Website: wildgoatbistro.com
Sax’s Joint
The Joint Grill: Triple-decker with cheddar, cream cheese, and bacon.
Location: 317 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma
Phone: 707-559-3021
Website: saxsjoint.com
The Girl & The Fig
Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Vella cheddar with tomato confit on sourdough.
Location: 110 West Spain St., Sonoma
Phone: 707-938-3634
Website: thegirlandthefig.com
Sunflower Caffe
Sunflower Grilled Cheese: Fontina, aged cheddar, Vella dry jack.
Location: 421 First St. W., Sonoma
Phone: 707-996-6645
Website: sonomasunflower.com
Sonoma’s Best
Bacon Grilled Cheese: Havarti, gruyere, arugula, smoked bacon, apple spread.
Location: 1190 E. Napa St., Sonoma
Phone: 707-996-7600
Website: sonomas-best.com
HopMonk Tavern
Grilled Cheese and Ham: Honey-cured ham, dijonnaise, three cheeses.
Location: 691 Broadway, Sonoma & 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol
Phone: Sonoma: 707-935-9100 / Sebastopol: 707-829-7300
Website: hopmonk.com
The Farmer’s Wife
Belly & Jelly or Fromage à Trois: Gourmet, farm-to-table creations.
Location: 6760 McKinley St., Suite 120, Sebastopol & 80 Fourth St., Point Reyes Station
Phone: Sebastopol: 707-397-9237 / Point Reyes: 707-827-3306
Website: thefarmerswifeca.com
Lunch Box
Kimchi Grilled Cheese: Three-cheese blend, aioli, housemade kimchi.
Location: 128 N. Main St., Sebastopol
Phone: Not listed
Website: lunchboxsonomacounty.com
Society Bakery and Cafe
Grilled Cheese: Three cheeses with herbs on house-baked bread.
Location: 2661 Gravenstein Hwy S., Sebastopol
Phone: 707-861-9665
Website: societybakerycafe.com
Valley Ford Cheese and Creamery
V.F. Grilled Cheese: Housemade cheese, rosemary ham, and kimchi.
Location: 14390 Valley Ford Road, Valley Ford
Phone: 707-293-5636
Website: valleyfordcheese.com
Estero Cafe
Grilled Cheese: Organic cheddar and Estero Gold on sourdough.
Location: 14450 Highway 1, Valley Ford
Phone: Not listed
Website: esterocafe.com
Fishetarian Fish Market
Adult Grilled Cheese: Estero Gold and Highway 1 cheeses with grilled onions and fig jam.
Location: 599 Highway 1 South, Bodega Bay
Phone: 707-504-0164
Website: fishetarianfishmarket.com
Simple & Satisfying Grilled Cheese Spots
Downtown Bakery & Creamery
Grilled Cheese: Cheddar on wheat, sourdough or French bread.
Location: 308 Center St., Healdsburg
Phone: 707-431-2719
Website: downtownbakeryhealdsburg.com
Boudin
The Great Grilled Cheese: Havarti and cheddar on parmesan-crusted sourdough.
Location: 2345 Midway Drive, Santa Rosa
Phone: Not listed
Website: boudinbakery.com
The Twins Restaurant
Grilled Cheese: Swiss, cheddar, provolone, and Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Location: 572 E. Cotati Ave., Cotati
Phone: 707-242-3075
Website: thetwinsrestaurant.com
Hole in the Wall
Grilled Cheese: Classic cheddar on toasted sourdough.
Location: 972 Gravenstein Hwy S., Suite 100, Sebastopol
Phone: 707-827-6040
Website: holeinthewallrestaurantsebastopol.com
Craving the Ultimate Grilled Cheese?
Whether you’re a purist or a flavor adventurer, Sonoma County has a grilled cheese for every craving. Go out and taste your way through these local gems!
