Say Cheese at Unique Portland Eateries

By: Andrea Vorvick | May 18 2011
Posted in Portland - Find It - Portland

The Stickles at Grilled Cheese Grill. Yum! Photo by: Andrea Vorvick.

The quest for a good grilled cheese sandwich is important: you want something that has the perfect crunch to its toasted bread, and is filled with melty, cheesy goodness that complements the other ingredients for a flavorful, satisfying, and comforting experience. Thankfully for us, Portland is filled with delis, farmers markets, and gourmet foodie shops that feature cheeses that are perfect for warm, delicious sammies. Check out one of these spots next time you get a hankering.

The Grilled Cheese Grill
Open Tuesday through Sunday at 113 SE 28th Ave, Portland (Double Decker Bus) and 1027 NE Alberta Ave, Portland, OR (The School Bus)

Sure, anyone can make a grilled cheese sandwich at home, but it’s much more fun to eat one in a converted double-decker bus! The Grilled Cheese Grill, a whimsical food cart with two Portland locations, features a mix of traditional and creative sandwiches. Try The Stickles (Tillamook Pepperjack cheese, avocado, red onion, and roasted red peppers on Dave’s Killer Cracked Wheat bread), The Shocker (smoky bacon, mild havarti, jalapenos, and roasted red peppers on sourdough) or The Preschooler (a classic with Tillamook cheddar or American cheese, with the crusts cut off). For something on the sweeter side, you might consider The Jaime (mascarpone, Nutella, and grilled banana on cinnamon swirl bread) or The Mrs. B (brie and apple butter on cinnamon swirl bread). All are a treat for your tastebuds!

If you’re super hungry, order The Original Cheesus. It’s basically a cheeseburger that substitutes two grilled cheese sandwiches for the buns. That’s right, two grilled cheese sandwiches, a hamburger patty, more cheese, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato and condiments. It’s big and messy, but incredibly tasty, and worth trying just for the bragging rights. One thing’s for sure, there's nothing like eating grilled cheese on a double-decker bus! 

Grilled tuna and cheese at Cheese Bar.

Cheese Bar
Open from 11:00am-11:00pm Tuesday through Sunday at 6031 SE Belmont Street, Portland, OR

Gazing into the display case at Cheese Bar reveals about 120 different types of domestic and European cheeses. This, my friends, is cheese paradise! The friendly staff is eager to let you sample the goods and help you get acquainted with the lesser known artisan and specialty cheeses like Tumalo Farms Pondhopper from Bend, Oregon - a mild, semi-hard goats’ milk cheese delicately spiced with Mirror Pond Ale. Or the award-winning Cowgirl Creamery’s Red Hawk triple-cream cheese made in California from organic cows’ milk. Take a few selections home to mix and match, and make your own delectable grilled cheese creation.

Cheese Bar also offers a small menu featuring sandwiches, salads, and meat plates composed of local and seasonal ingredients. A salad of sheeps’ milk ricotta, beets, orange, pomegranate and arugula is a good option for those seeking greenery. And their version of a grilled tuna sandwich is perfectly delicious: Oregon albacore, melted cheddar, house-made sweet relish, and garlic mayo on wheat levain. Need something heartier? The Mac N’ Cheese with chorizo, cheddar, havarti, and Parmigiano is just the thing to curb your hunger pangs. Since nothing goes better with cheese than beer and wine, Cheese Bar also offers a selection of small-batch and hard-to-find beers and food-friendly wines. Pair one with your grilled cheese for a special treat!

Explore Portland's food scene on The Local Dish:

Save Room for Pie at Random Order

Portland's Creme-de-la-Creme Cafes

Top Wine Bars in the Portland 'Burbs