A Sandwich a Day: Wisconsin Grilled Cheese at The Kerryman

[Photograph: Tessa McLean]

When you order a grilled cheese for lunch during a work day, you're setting yourself up for a pretty sleepy afternoon. I wanted this particular kind of torture when I ordered the Wisconsin Grilled Cheese ($12.00) from the Kerryman, and it didn't let me down. The sharp cheddar at the base of the sandwich gives it the Wisconsin moniker, though nothing else about it reminds me of our neighbors to the North. It comes between two pieces of thick Texas toast, which thankfully weren't overly greased with butter like so many grilled cheese's can be. The sun-dried tomato pesto marmalade is really just a marmalade, since there are no hints of pesto. It's incredibly sweet, which almost overpowers the sharp cheddar that should be the star. It's topped with several thick slices of ripe avocado and then finished with arugula, which gives the sandwich a much needed, fresh bite.

As all good grilled cheese's should, the sandwich is served with a rich tomato soup on the side. It's thick enough for dipping, and you'll be seriously glad you did when you notice how it cuts the sweetness of the marmalade. Together this sandwich is successful, and makes you remember why the marriage between grilled cheese and tomato soup is a comfort food staple everywhere.