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How To Have The Best Grilled Cheese Day Ever In Chicago (MAP)

By  Alisa Hauser and Patty Wetli | April 11, 2016 6:21am | Updated on April 12, 2016 10:49am

 Where to celebrate National Grilled Cheese Day on April 12.
Grilled Cheese in Chicago
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CHICAGO — Grilled cheese isn't just for kids' menus anymore.

Adults can celebrate Tuesday's National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day with these grown-up versions of the American classic, mapped out by location.

Hopleaf's CB&J marries the grilled cheese with the PB&J and the result is like the Wonder Twins of sandwiches — more potent together than apart. The "CB" is cashew butter, the "J" is fig jam, the cheese is raclette and the bread is sourdough. The Andersonville pub pan fries the mashup and serves it with a side of Stilton mac 'n' cheese (aka, the missing Wonder Triplet). Cost is $11. 5148 N. Clark St. in Andersonville.

25 Degrees in Wicker Park and River North will offer an "upgraded version of the cheesy classic" for $13.  The burger bar's hearty take on a grilled cheese is stuffed with white cheddar, yellow cheddar and Jack cheese, avocado, onions, fried egg, chipotle and pulled pork.  2015 W. Division St. in Wicker Park or 736 N. Clark St. in River North.

Everything's better with bacon, right? The Grown-Up Grilled Cheese at Le Cafe improves upon perfection by adding candied bacon and tomato chutney to the cheese and bread mix. It's all pressed on a panini grill and served with a side salad, $9. The cafe's tomato/muenster/garlic panini isn't labeled as such, but what the heck, it's grilled and contains cheese. 4655 N. Lincoln Ave. in Lincoln Square.

Patty Wetli and Matt Bubala have called a truce on grilled cheese with tomato soup.

Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain specializes in nostalgic comfort food, so it's no surprise that the kitchen turns out a scrumptious grilled cheese, made with house sourdough for $6. You know how the bread on the best grilled cheese is encrusted with bits of melted/burned cheese? Yeah, they do that here. 1000 N. California Ave. in Humboldt Park.

Why settle for a good, or even great, grilled cheese when you could have "the best ever"? Farmers market favorite Gayle's Best Ever Grilled Cheese now has a permanent home at Block 37. Gayle's menu has more than a dozen grilled cheese offerings, including the Sebastian, which is most definitely not kids' food — it's stuffed with fresh lobster for $15 (Fridays only). Other versions include the Breakfast Club, with farm fresh eggs, and the Abreo, with apple slices and bacon onion jam. Block 37 Shops, 108 N. State St. in The Loop.

At Cheesie's Pub & Grub, every day is pretty much a grilled cheese day. Fans can check the restaurant's social media post for last-minute holiday specials on the eatery's popular sandwiches, such as a fried chicken and barbecue "tenderizer" or "The Popper," stuffed with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, jalapeno and cheddar. Prices range between $5-$9.49. Cheesie's, 958 W. Belmont Ave. in Lakeview; 1365 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Wicker Park.

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