The irreverant sandwich guy doesn’t have to think twice about what makes a perfect day.  It’s a simple equation:  bread, butter or oil, cheese (lots of it), heating implements, and sandwich smacktalking….sounds pretty stellar, right? Working with sandwiches on a daily basis, I get to have lots of these so-called “perfect” days. But, I gotta tell you, one of my most ultimate days of sandwich bliss when my master equation come together, actually occurs outside the kitchen, and it comes around just once a year. Can you guess? It’s The Grilled Cheese Invitational – the most killer grilled cheese making competition known to the man and/or Los Angeles.

The reason I bring it up is… this year’s is right around the corner. I am telling you, put it on your calendar – all caps – NOW. April 24, 12pm – 6pm in Downtown Los Angeles.  (Check their website, GrilledCheeseInvitational.Com for additional details).  If you are a food lover and a sandwich lover, you’re in for a good, good time. Last year there were something like 240 competitors, which means you’ll get to witness a lot of gooey, buttery, cheesy, crunchy sandwiches in the making. They’re rated on 4 factors, including a SPAZ factor. Definitely the best category, if you ask me. So which hot cheesy bite of goodness it’s gonna be this year? Go see for yourself.

Now that you’re sufficiently craving grilled cheese, here’s how to find some EXCELLENT ones. At Mendo’ of course.  Always on the menu is “Alex’s ‘You Create It’” with smoked gouda fondue, pepper jack, jalapenos, tomatoes with add on options like prime honey ham, applewood bacon, or seasonal roasted vegetables. Or try our spring menu’s “wow” sandwich, A French Onion Soup Melt, which will quench and saturate your taste buds with cheesiness, saltiness and richness.  Pretzel bread, smoked gouda, gruyere fondue, caramelized onions and prime honey ham. Need I say more?

Oh, and hey, are you curious about the next SANDWICH CHALLENGE??? Here’s a clue on what’s coming up next: how can you heat a sandwich with what’s a source of heat that’s neither mechanical, electrical, or fire?  Are you wracking your brains? Find out in the next sandwich guy challenge.