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There’s nothing quite like a perfectly crispy, melty, gooey grilled cheese. Whether you stick to the classics (sourdough and cheddar, hello!) or go all out with fun bread, cheese, and topping combinations, it’s a dish that can appease any appetite. One of life’s most delicious and simple comfort foods is also perhaps one of the riskiest to order for delivery.
Luckily, there are quite a few spots that specialize in grilled cheese and have mastered the art of delivering a perfect (or near perfect) piping hot, crispy grilled cheese. Below, we asked for their tips on how to order (and enjoy!) a perfect grilled cheese sandwich every single time.
1. Pick prime packaging.
Ordering from a restaurant that is thoughtful about its packaging is worth considering when you want grilled cheese delivered.
“There was a ton of trial and error when we first started delivery,” says Brian Mullins, co-owner of Ms. Cheezious in Miami. “We used to wrap them in foil and they were getting soggy, so we switched to vented boxes that were much better. Then we went a step further and started to think about how pizza places do it.”
Many pizza boxes include a corrugated cardboard insert that traps air underneath and absorbs some of the excess oil and grease, ensuring your pizza arrives hot and crispy, just like it’s meant to. The same principle can be applied to grilled cheese sandwiches.
”We’re constantly looking for any other ways that might be better,” says Mullins, “but so far this one [the corrugated cardboard insert] has been a winner.”
2. Master the reheat.
Mullins adds that the absolute best experience may involve a few extra minutes at home. He recommends popping your grilled cheese in the toaster oven (or regular oven) for a few minutes. “We know it’s still hot when it arrives, but just in case some of the crispiness is gone, a few minutes in the toaster oven will make it like new again.”
Meanwhile, at The Grilled Cheeserie in Nashville, Tennessee, co-owner Crystal De Luna-Bogan echos Mullins’ advice and says they always include reheating instructions with each delivery order:
“Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F and place the sandwich directly on the toaster oven rack (or on a baking sheet if you prefer, but directly on the rack is best), and heat it for about 5 to 7 minutes. Make sure to check on it often, so it doesn’t overcook,” says De Luna-Bogan.
Additionally, De Luna-Bogan shares that their in-house secret is to cook the sandwich just a touch more than usual, because “that way it keeps its texture longer than a melt that’s going to be eaten in our shop within five minutes of being served.”
Sean Reiter, director of brand revenue at The Melt, which has nearly two dozen locations throughout California, says people are really sleeping on the power of the microwave. “Sure, you can reheat it in the oven, but my preferred method is to lower the power setting on your microwave (think a 7 or 8 power level, instead of the default 10) and heat it up for a minute or so,” says Reiter. “It really gives you this great bread mouth-feel that makes the sandwich something extra special.”
3. Consider add-ons.
“Anyone can throw cheese and two pieces of bread together to make a grilled cheese,” says Reiter. “If you’re going out of your way to order such a sandwich for delivery — really go for it! Order that spicy garlic butter or the caramelized onions! Go for the complexity and things that enrich the flavor, especially since it just takes a few minutes to refresh the sandwich once it arrives.”
Our grilled cheese experts also recommend ordering a sandwich with protein like grilled chicken or turkey, as these leaner proteins will help soak up moisture. Do shy away from requesting extra cheese, however, as this can make your sandwich soggier.
And it bears repeating: “If you’re suddenly craving a grilled cheese,” says Mullin, “just don’t forget to preheat your toaster oven.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Illustrations by Sam Twardy
