Grilled Cheese, One of America’s Favorite Sandwiches

D&J Cafe cook Jay Miller quickly butters two slices of white bread, tosses them onto the griddle and slaps cheese on each.
When the cheese melts after a couple of minutes, he presses the two cheesy sides together, slices it diagonally on the grill with his extra-long spatula and —presto! — he has a classic grilled-cheese sandwich.
“It’s probably the easiest thing to make,” said Miller, 34, who has been cooking professionally for 19 years.
Three of those years have been at D&J Cafe, a popular neighborhood haunt in Springfield, Ill., known for breakfasts and short-order lunches.
The grilled cheese sandwich there sells for $2.10. For a little more, diners can get it with chips or fries.
Grilled cheese is one of America’s favorite sandwiches. About 22 percent of U.S. households serve them at least once every two weeks, according to research firm NPD Group, and 64 percent of those are eaten during lunch.
“If you’re making it at home, don’t have the skillet too high or it will burn. Use a medium heat,” advised Miller, who prepares the sandwich at home for his daughters Nikki, 8, and Haley, 5. At D&J, the griddle is heated to between 350 and 375 degrees.

Kathryn Rem can be reached at kathryn.rem@sj-r.com.