[Photograph: Lindsey Becker]

As someone who grew up in a family who places fresh cheese curds maybe half a notch below Martin Luther on the "All That is Holy" scale, it is impossible for me to resist their squeaky siren song whenever I see them on a menu. If that ingredient alone weren't enough to sell me on a sandwich, the philosophical musings of the order taker at Grahamwich sealed the deal. "The tomato relish makes for a really unique flavor profile," he said. "When I eat it I'm like, 'Am I eating a pizza or a sandwich?'"

Indeed, I found myself wondering the same thing upon first bite of the Grilled Cheese Sandwich ($7). Between the hunks of chewy cheese curds and the buttery crisp on the sliced pullman loaf, this sandwich sits solidly on the indulgent end of the grilled cheese spectrum. I have never understood sliced tomatoes on a grilled cheese—I mean if you're going to go all out and eat a meal comprised of cheese, bread, and butter, why ruin it with some wet tomato slices? But in this case, the tomato relish provides a bright sweetness that regular slices of tomato just can't accomplish. And yes, this makes it taste more than a little like pizza. If, upon ordering, you're nudged in the direction of adding prosciutto as I was (apparently the sandwich originally included it), don't feel bad turning that option down. It only gets lost in the already well-balanced ingredients.

Grahamwich

615 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60611 (map)
312-265-0434
http://www.grahamwich.com/