Vancouver restaurants increasingly offering grilled cheese on their menus

It's a simple formula: melt some cheese between two pieces of bread.

But the secret to a truly memorable grilled cheese sandwich can take you down a path of infinite possibilities cheese varieties, bread varieties, grilling techniques and secret ingredients to truly make your taste buds pop.

On the Coast's food columnist Anya Levykh says Vancouver restaurants are increasingly putting the classic sandwich on their menus.

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"It's your childhood all over again," says Levykh. "What could be tastier or easier to eat than a grilled cheese, especially paired with some tomato soup?"

Here are her recommendations for restaurants to fulfill all your cheesy, gooey, and grilled needs.

Deacon's Corner
Vancouver - Gastown

If you're looking for a classic grilled cheese with tomato, this is the place to be. This original Gastown diner offers a grilled cheese that's nothing fancy, but it's simple and good.

Burgoo Bistro
Various locations

On the search for a more elaborate version of the classic sandwich? Burgoo offers one called a Gooey Cheese Griller and is made with mozzarella, gruyere, emmenthal and white cheddar.

Hi-Five
Vancouver - Gastown

To satisfy those late-night cravings, check out this tiny take-out window that recently openedat 22 East Cordova. It's only open Thursdays through Saturdays from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. PT and has about five types of grilled cheese sandwiches, including some with Sriracha, mac 'n' cheese, garlic butter, and bacon.

The Red Wagon
Vancouver - Hastings Sunrise

Why settle for only one type of cheese when you could have more? The Red Wagon makes a mean grilled cheese with cheddar, goat cheese and swiss.

Batard Boulangerie
Vancouver - Fraser Street

Back to fancy territory. Batard Boulangerie serves an open-face grilled cheese with asiago, cheddar and mozzarella and a tomato-fennel chutney.

Mamie Taylor's
Vancouver - Chinatown

This southern-style restaurant offers a pimento grilled cheese with kimchi and scallions.

Zee's Grilled Cheese
Richmond - Steveston

Check out Zee's for their Cubana with pulled pork, or try the Gaia with mushrooms and caramelized onions.

Food trucks

Vancouver also has two food trucks dedicated to grilled cheeses: Mom's Grilled Cheese and Melt City (formerly known as Taser)

To listen to the full interview, including two tastings, click on the audio labelled: Grilled cheese recommendations from Anya Levykh