Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
National Grilled Cheese Month Starts Today!
The folks over at Clementine take their grilled cheese sandwiches very seriously -- so seriously, in fact, that they are celebrating National Grilled Cheese Month (yes, it's a real holiday, not an April Fool's joke) by allowing their customers to vote in a month-long electoral process for the cheese sandwich they most want to eat. Sign me up for the Parmesan party!
Clementine's been commemorating Grilled Cheese Month for a few years now (we covered it with much celebration last year). You can even download a very complete voting ballot from their website, which features cheesy candidates like a french-onion and brisket, fontina and mushroom, and white cheddar with roasted turkey -- and those are only this week's candidates! You can also start to look forward to Philly cheesesteaks, a bratwurst reuben with gruyere, and roasted asparagus with ricotta. And yes, write-in votes are allowed, and as the Grilled Cheese Voter's Bill of Rights states, "you have the right to eat grilled cheese as often as you want, free from intimidation by your doctor or vegans."
Want constant updates on the race? Well, they've got a blog, MeltTheVote:
Some of the candidates competing in the Week 1 Primary have some type of scandal or blunder to overcome. French Onion has been grilled repeatedly regarding its close ties with Tom DeChevre, the former chairman of the House Wheys and Creams Committee who was recently brought up on federal raclette-ering charges. And Fontina with Roasted Shiitakes has been widely criticized for its infamous "Mushroom Accomplished" speech. But, as melted cheese strategist James Coverdale once said, "It's the flavor, stupid," and it is clear that on that score, all of the candidates are more than qualified.
Many of the sandwiches are vegetarian-friendly -- although I must warn you there is an initiative on the ballot to legalize cheese consumption by vegans. Power to the cheese! We will not discriminate!
If you're not in Clementine's neighborhood, there are lots of other grilled cheese options, including Meltdown in Culver City, Lucky Devil's in Hollywood (editor's choice!), and even (sigh) a vegan version at Madeleine's Bistro in Tarzana. Or you could just make your own: heat butter in a pan. Slap a few pieces of bread on top, layer in your cheeses of choice, turn until brown and melty. Mmmmm. Grilled cheeeeese.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
