If you’re like me, nothing beats a warm, gooey grilled cheese sandwich. Ever since I was a kid growing up in northern Indiana, I’ve loved a good grilled cheese! For a long time, I was convinced no one made one better than my mom (honestly, I still think that’s true).
While hers will always be my favorite, I’ve started expanding my horizons as I’ve discovered the creative twists local restaurants are putting on this classic comfort food. So my teammate and fellow grilled cheese enthusiast, Ali, joined me on a mission across Hendricks County, Indiana, to find the best one.
At each stop, we compared classic and deluxe versions to uncover the meltiest, most creative and most crave-worthy options. This is just the beginning. We are starting small but plan to add more stops each year… because why not?
The Method Behind the Melt
Because I am a self-proclaimed nerd, I had to incorporate data into this taste test, right? It also felt like the best way to keep things fair and consistent as we rated each grilled cheese at every stop. Ali focused on the classic version, while I got a little more adventurous with the deluxe options.
Each sandwich was evaluated on a few key factors, starting with creativity and presentation. Then we looked at the all-important categories like cheese pull, crunch, taste and of course, messiness.
Because if we are going to take you on a grilled cheese tour, we figured we'd better take it seriously.
Oasis Diner
We kicked things off at Oasis Diner in Plainfield. The slight chill in the air made it the perfect setting for warm, cheesy comfort food. In fact, Ali even said, “This is the perfect cloudy day grilled cheese,” and I couldn’t agree more.
Oasis Diner has two grilled cheese sandwiches on its menu: one classic and one deluxe, making it an ideal first stop for our taste test. Both are served with a side, and of course, Ali and I went with their delicious fries. As a bonus for pickle enthusiasts like me, each meal also comes with a wedge on the side.
- The Deluxe Grilled Cheese is made with melted American, Swiss, cheddar, and provolone, generously loaded with roasted tomatoes, avocado relish, and served on crispy grilled Texas toast. If you are in the mood for soup, this sandwich comes with tomato basil bisque, which can be swapped out for another side.
- The Quaker Grilled Cheese, named for the early settlers in Plainfield, is the classic option. It features the same cheese combination and Texas toast, just without the deluxe toppings.
Now, onto the important part: the official grilled cheese evaluation.
- Creativity: 4 - A solid twist on the classic, with just enough creativity to elevate it.
- Presentation: 4 - Simple but well done, with a full basket and a clean, inviting look
- Cheese Pull: 5 - Perfectly melted with a classic, satisfying cheese pull.
- Crunch: 5 - That ideal crunch you could hear and feel, toasted just right.
- Taste: 5 - Both versions were incredibly satisfying and full of flavor
- Messiness: 4 - Messy in the best way, with loaded deluxe toppings that didn’t always stay put.
Bread Basket Cafe & Bakery
Next, we headed to Bread Basket Cafe & Bakery in Danville, where I enjoyed their Summery Grilled cheese while Ali tried their Three-Cheese Grilled Cheese. It’s not listed on the menu, but is always available upon request.
- The Summery Grilled Cheese may sound seasonal, but it’s a staple on the menu, and I love it. It’s thoughtfully made on their signature honey oat bread, with mozzarella and provolone, along with fresh tomato slices and their homemade pesto. Don’t forget to add bacon! By default, it comes with kettle chips, but you can swap in another side.
- The Three Cheese Grilled Cheese features a melty combination of provolone, swiss and cheddar. It may not have the extra toppings of the deluxe option, but its simplicity really works.
Let’s see how it stacked up in our grilled cheese evaluation.
- Creativity: 4 - A creative take on a classic that still feels familiar.
- Presentation: 5 - Beautifully presented and clearly made with care.
- Cheese Pull: 5 - Couldn’t ask for a better cheese pull, perfectly melted with an impressive stretch.
- Crunch: 5 - Perfectly crispy with a golden crunch in every bite.
- Taste: 5 - A well-balanced and flavorful bite.
- Messiness: 3 - Neatly made and easy to eat, holding its shape well.
The Beehive
Our third stop was The Beehive in downtown Danville. Trying to fit five grilled cheese sandwiches into a two-week span is not recommended. Thankfully, my co-worker Karen stepped in and saved the day. She tried the Grilled Cheese Extreme while Ali opted for the classic version without the deluxe options.
- The Grilled Cheese Extreme features a blend of provolone, white cheddar, and parmesan, paired with an herb aioli and roasted tomato spread. It comes on a toasted bakery-style sandwich roll, giving it a unique composition. Using a tomato spread rather than sliced tomatoes is a creative touch that adds more flavor coverage while keeping things a bit less messy.
Now for the official grilled cheese scorecard.
- Creativity: 4 - A creative blend of cheeses and spreads with a unique twist.
- Presentation: 2 - Crispy cheese edges and a themed bee plate added a fun touch.
- Cheese Pull: 3 - A subtle cheese pull, but the flavor still delivered.
- Crunch: 3 - Not a traditional crunch, but still a satisfying bite.
- Taste: 5 - A great blend of cheeses and spreads that worked really well together.
- Messiness: 2 - Flaky from the toasted bread, but held together well.
The Local Kitchen & Tap
We also stopped by the Local Kitchen & Tap, located inside the Embassy Suites in Plainfield. While it’s located within a hotel, it offers much more than your typical hotel restaurant, with a focus on creating a place both locals and visitors can enjoy. We were excited to learn they source many of their ingredients locally.
- The Braised Beef Grilled Cheese features slow-cooked, tender, locally-sourced Fischer Farms beef paired with melted aged cheddar on sourdough bread from Scholars Inn Bakehouse, all grilled to a buttery crisp. It’s a heartier option that leans more toward beef lovers, with bold flavors that set it apart from a traditional grilled cheese.
- The kids’ version keeps things simple, using the same bread and cheese without the braised beef. Both are served with your choice of sides, including generously sized onion rings and fries.
Let’s see how this one measured up:
- Creativity: 4 - A unique take on grilled cheese with a heartier twist.
- Presentation: 4 - A full basket with a thoughtful layout and a beautifully crisp finish.
- Cheese Pull: 2 - A more subtle cheese pull, with the rich, juicy beef taking center stage.
- Crunch: 5 - That classic, satisfying crunch you expect from a well-made grilled cheese.
- Taste: 4 - Flavorful, with a beef-forward profile and a more traditional classic option.
- Messiness: 5 - With braised beef, a little mess is part of the experience.
Brie & Bartlett
We wrapped things up at Brie & Bartlett in Brownsburg, known for its beautifully designed charcuterie. What people might not realize is that their menu includes an entire section dedicated to toasties, which made it hard for me to choose.
- The Bartlett Brunch Toastie features sliced pears and honey goat cheese, toasted in cinnamon butter and topped with powdered sugar and honey.
- The Danny is your classic option, made with Colby Jack and mozzarella for the self-proclaimed picky eaters out there (and apparently someone’s Uncle Danny).
Here’s how our final stop measured up.
- Creativity: 5 - A wide variety of toastie options with unique and creative combinations.
- Presentation: 5 - Visually appealing with an extra touch that almost earns a bonus point.
- Cheese Pull: 5 - Exactly what you want, with a perfect, satisfying pull.
- Crunch: 5 - That perfect golden crunch you expect in every bite.
- Taste: 4 - A unique and flavorful sweet and savory combination.
- Messiness: 5 - Sticky from the honey, but in a delicious, worth-it kind of way.
