If you want cheesiness in Chicago, it's easy enough to go hang out at Navy Pier, but if you want mouthwatering, meltingly delicious cheesiness, it's better to go with the grilled variety. Here are the five best ways in Chicago to consume hot cheese between bread. Cheesie's Pub & Grub's The Tenderizer 958 W Belmont Ave; Lakeview; 773.388.1574 Show off your sensitive side with the top-pictured Tenderizer from Cheesie's, (one of 12 grilled cheeses on their menu), which comes with cheddar, mozz, hot sauce, bacon, fried chicken tenders, and Sweet Baby Ray's on Texas toast. Grahamwich's Grilled Cheese 615 N State St; Near North Side; 312.265.0434 Most of what Graham Elliot touches turns to gold, or, in this case, the buttery yellow of Grahamwich's grilled cheese, featuring a double threat of classic Wisco cheddar and chewy cheese curds, along with tomato marmalade on sliced pullman bread. Edzo's Inside-Out Grilled Cheese 2218 N Lincoln Ave; Lincoln Park; 773.697.9909 Because anyone can put a bunch of cheese on the inside of a sandwich, the Inside-Out at Edzo's starts with two pieces of white bread stuffed with American and Swiss, then adds shredded Parm to cheese up the outside as it cooks on the griddle. En Hakkore's Korean Paratha Panini 1840 N Damen Ave; Bucktown; 773.772.9880 Considering En Hakkore packs their Korean-flavored Paratha Panini with kimchi, spicy pork belly, and a trio of cheeses, it’s easy to see how Kim Jong-un got so rotund. Even with all that basketball. Bar Pastoral's Pear & Ricotta/Saxony Grilled Cheese 2947 N Broadway St; Lakeview East; 773.472.4781 If you’re tired of cheddar or American (what?! Love it or leave it, man!), the celebrated cheesemongers at Bar Pastoral offer up a ricotta- & Saxony-filled creation that gets sweetness from sliced pear and a little crunch courtesy of toasted almonds. Bar Pastoral Photo Credit: Galdones Photography
