Vancouver's grown-up grilled cheese sandwiches
What could be more comforting and nostalgic than a grilled cheese sandwich? In the recent trend of upscale comfort food, there’s no shortage of this lunch staple on menus in Vancouver. It’s simply understood that, if the below don’t come with tomato soup, you will definitely order a bowl.
Pourhouse Restaurant
162 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1B2This speakeasy-style restaurant and bar in Gastown is all sumptuous textures and dark wood. You’re instantly enveloped in warmth when you enter, which is why the cosiness of a grilled cheese sandwich makes perfect sense coming from this excellent kitchen. Offered on the smaller plates section of the menu with a wee bowl of cauliflower soup, this is a perfect after-work snack or late night foil for all the amazing cocktails these guys also serve up.
Burgoo
4434 W 10th Ave, Vancouver, BCThe oozing cheese in this impressive sandwich seems to find its way out from between big slabs of buttery, grilled-to-perfection sourdough bread, making for crisp edges and the occasional nicely burnt piece of cheese on the crust. Hot, gooey and no doubt calorie-laden, this is one delicious sandwich. You went to the gym this morning; you deserve this. Oh, you didn’t? Well, it’s raining; you deserve this.
Mom's Grilled Cheese Truck
701 Robson St, Vancouver, BCHolding pride of place on Howe Street in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery, Mom has been dishing out all kinds of grilled cheese combinations from her retro wheels since the food truck revolution hit this city in 2010. Choose your bread and choose your cheese, then top it with extras like bacon or caramelized onions if you want. Wander over to sit on the VAG stairs and savour this tasty lunch hour treat.
Fable Kitchens Ltd
1944 4th Ave W, Vancouver, BC V6J 1M5Why wouldn’t you want a grilled cheese sandwich from a Top Chef Canada contender? Chef Trevor Bird opened his farm-to-table restaurant not long after his season 2 debut, with a seasonal, non-fussy, unpretentious philosophy. And a seriously good grilled cheese. Your challenge: head here for lunch, order the sandwich and dig into expertly grilled bread with cheddar, onion jam and spinach. Your time starts now!
The Cannibal Cafe
1818 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5N 4A5Known for its burgers (don’t worry, they’re made of animal meat), this punk-rock diner on the Drive is happy to cater to the many vegetarians in the neighbourhood. You could go for the veggie burger, but why not go old-school with their grilled cheese made with provolone, smoked gouda, mozzarella and a crispy cheddar top? Dunked into the soup it comes with, this sandwich is so good it will bring out the savage in you.
Argo Cafe
1836 Ontario St, Vancouver, BC V5T 2W6There’s something to be said for the grilled cheese of your childhood, when white bread, processed cheddar and Heinz ketchup were all you needed when you ran home from school for a quick lunch. Holding strong to these culinary traditions is the Argo, tucked away on Ontario at 3rd. A favourite among construction workers and bike mechanics, this cash-only lunch counter offers a no-nonsense cheese sandwich. Skip the soup and stick with the fries it comes with.
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