The American Grilled Cheese Grill is Moving Along…

I finally had a chance to meet the owners of the American Grilled Cheese Kitchen over on the edge of South Park late last week. I was given the VIP tour of the location complete with a brief history of both the space and the people involved.

The location itself was once a tobacco warehouse with rail tracks still intact on the outdoor patio/sidewalk. It now houses about 35 luxury condominiums (known as One South Park) as well as the under-construction location of the American Grilled Cheese Kitchen. It’s a charming space that will eventually feature an open layout, old fashioned counter seating, a huge outdoor patio compared to others in the area and some interior artwork from local artist, Drew Bennett.   

The true selling point of this daytime eatery is going to be the menu though. They plan to take the classic grilled cheese sandwich and add a sort of gourmet flare. When I asked about the menu, they told me that it was being kept more and more under wraps, the closer they get to opening. They did say they often invite small groups of friends over for tastings to critique potential menu items. Heidi Gibson, the American’s ‘Commander in Cheese’, has won the Grilled Cheese Invitational- an annual competition for everyone who’s anyone in cheese grilling- 6 times.

With a background in Materials Science and Engineering (and 2 MIT Degrees to prove it!), it’s surprising, yet not, that she knows how to craft the perfect grilled cheese sandwich. In addition, they plan to have a homemade soda bar complete with fresh sodas made using seasonal fruits! Oh, and they’ll also serve wine and beer.

Gourmet Grilled Cheese, seasonal sodas, beer and wine, outdoor seating in a beautiful section of the neighborhood… what reason would you have to NOT check it out! I asked Heidi’s partner, Nathan Pollak, when they’re planning to open and he said that they were  hoping for March, but it would probably be more like April by the time they get all their construction and permits finished. I personally hope it’s sooner than later as I’m already itching to try it out.