April is National Grilled Cheese Month!

April 1, of course, is April Fool's Day, but it's also the start of one of the best occasions of the year: National Grilled Cheese Month.

As a self-described grilled cheese fanatic, I'd be happy to munch my way through any of these sandwiches:

44th Ward Dinner Party: The very clubby resto serves the largest grilled cheese selection in the city, plus grilled cheesecake. Hit it up on Mondays, and for $10 you get to choose any sandwich on the list as well as Sweet & Savory Fries and a beer. Choose from more than 10 signature bites like Belmont Harbor (aged cheddar, thick-cut hickory smoked bacon on sourdough) or Red Line (turkey, Colby and Pepper Jack cheese, sprouts, avocado). Or come after midnight on weekends for $1 traditional grilled cheese (American on white bread) and $5 cocktails.

Cafecito: If you're like the 312DD, you've had grilled cheese in just about every form from classic American to the French's Croque Madam. But have you had one Argentine style?! This busy little Loop spot serves up the Provoleta, created with grilled Provolone, roasted red peppers and a tangy chimichurri sauce. $5.49.

Café des Architectes: The weekday lunch crowd can check into the Sofitel's trendy restaurant for Le Combo: grilled Yellow Buck Camembert cheese sandwich with honey truffle butter on fresh brioche paired with salad Lyonnaise and a homemade chocolate chip cookie. $18.


Longman & Eagle's front dining room. (Photo: Steven Johnson)


Hot Chocolate: The Cheddar Melt (Carr Valley 6-year aged cheddar, pumpernickel, honey syrup, shaved Granny Smith apple salad) is on the brunch, lunch and dinner menus, but it'll cost you two extra dollars for dinner at $10.

Longman & Eagle: Yippee! Brunch finally starts at Logan Square's most buzzed about spot this year. The offbeat menu features a Croque Madam with a twist—ham, Gruyere cheese, Bechamel and a "sunnyside" duck egg. $13.

Silver Cloud: And, of course, we had to include the grilled cheese at Silver Cloud, which stays true to its roots and keeps it kitschy. Their signature sandwich comes with a special cheese "blend" on Italian bread. It's complemented by a bowl of Campbell's tomato soup for $5.95 (with tomato $6.45; bacon $6.95; both $7.45).