Like many Americans, Vance Hall says his first memories of a grilled cheese sandwich harken back to his childhood.
“My earliest memories are Kraft singles on white bread, with a canned soup watching ‘The Price is Right' while home sick from school,” he said. “Pre-COVID, we would get so many people coming in that would tell us they had to come down because they were sick. Not so much anymore.”
Hall owns Druff’s, which is known for its grilled cheese sandwiches. He opened the restaurant on Friday the 13th, May 2016, and it has been a learning experience. Adding breakfast has helped sustain the business.
“We've come a long way,” Hall said. “We didn't know what we were doing at first, but we've been supported by great staff and customers since the beginning. I think we've really hit a stride the past couple of years and know what we are and how to do it well. Super thankful for everyone that gives us a chance.”
The best-selling sandwich is the Crump Classic, a three-cheese grilled cheese. It features colby, cheddar and gouda all melted together between crusty sourdough bread. It has that beautiful stretchy element. Of course, a grilled cheese is best paired with tomato soup. At Druff’s, the tomato soup is made in-house and Hall says the secret ingredients that make his soup so wonderful are the same ingredients that make everything taste great: butter and sugar.
The soup comes in three sizes: lil’ dipper, cup or bowl. The dipper is perfect if you just want to dunk the last bits of your sandwich and leftover crust into tomato bliss.
His second best-selling sandwich is the Father Schlink, which has gouda, mac and cheese, and sweet barbecue pulled pork on sourdough.
Find it: Druff’s, 331 Park Central East, Suite 101, Springfield; See the menu on their website
If you have a hankering for a grilled cheese, head to Druff’s or try one of these other stellar sandwiches in town.
Executive Grilled Cheese at the Pitch Pizza & Pub
The Executive Grilled Cheese at the Pitch Pizza & Pub is mouthwatering. It starts with sourdough bread and features smoky bacon, pork shoulder, smoked gouda, cheddar and a slice of tomato, topped off with an over-easy egg that oozes out as soon as you bite into the crispy sourdough bread. The buttery yolk goes everywhere. Messy and delicious, it’s a fantastic elevation of the classic sandwich.
Find it: The Pitch Pizza & Pub, 2924 E. Sunshine St., Springfield; See the menu on their website
Chicken Bacon Ranch at MacCheesy’s
When the word “cheese” is in the restaurant name, you know it’s going to craft some cheesy goodness. At MacCheesy’s, they feature a bunch of creative mac and cheese skillets but also have eight types of grilled cheese. There’s one with burnt ends, chicken and pesto, and a classic, but the chipotle chicken features cheddar, Monterey jack, sliced chicken and diced peppers smeared with spicy and smoky chipotle aioli. That’s a good one if you want something different and a kick of heat.
The Chicken Bacon Ranch is another crowd-pleaser. Between two grilled slices of bread are melted cheddar and provolone, bite-size chunks of chicken, salty bacon and creamy ranch dressing. Yummy.
Also, if you’re a mac and cheese lover and have the metabolism of a teenage boy, you can add a layer of mac and cheese to any grilled cheese sandwich for $2.
Find it: MacCheesy's, 1920 E. Independence St., Springfield; See the menu on their website
Ultimate Grilled Cheese at Derby Deli
The Ultimate Grilled Cheese at Derby Deli is ultimately satisfying. Again, we love a twist on this classic. It starts with Neighbor’s Mill bread — you can’t go wrong there — and then they add big eye Swiss and cheddar, caramelized onions and truffle oil. Crispy bread, gooey cheese, sweet onions and the unmistakable flavor of truffle all mingle together to create a wonderful sandwich.
You can add rosemary ham for $3.99 and if you’re not a vegetarian, it’s totally worth it. It adds salt, smoke and an herbaceous element.
Find it: Derby Deli, 2023 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, inside the Brown Derby International Wine Center; For more information, visit their website
Railroader at Big Momma’s Coffee and Espresso Bar
Big Momma’s Coffee and Espresso Bar has a good nontraditional grilled cheese sandwich option. The Railroader features portobello mushrooms, bacon, smoked gouda, provolone and caramelized onions on wheatberry, or you can substitute their lovely homemade focaccia which is available on weekdays only.
Big Momma’s has a daily soup special. You can find it on Facebook. They showcase everything from French onion to cheesy potato and bacon to cream of celery. The soups rock.
Find it: Big Momma's Coffee and Espresso Bar, 217 E. Commercial St., Springfield; See the menu on their website
Grilled Cheese Deluxe at Nearly Famous Deli and Pasta House
Nearly Famous has been in business since 1976, so you know they are doing something right. One of those “somethings” is their classic grilled cheese paired with their legendary tomato soup.
The Grilled Cheese Deluxe has Swiss, cheddar and provolone on grilled rye bread. The rye is what makes this different and the Swiss adds a sharper tang than other sandwiches. The deli tomato soup at this restaurant is fantastic, so order them together.
They also have rotating specials and the Grilled Homemade Pimento Cheese served on whole wheat is their Thursday sandwich special (usually served with a cup of tomato soup). Who doesn’t love grilled pimento cheese? A Southern favorite. Daily specials are listed on their website.
Find it: Nearly Famous Deli and Pasta House, 2708 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield; See the menu on their website
