DRUNK GRILLED CHEESE at MERMAID TAVERN
The ideal time to order one of the region’s best grilled cheeses is after you’ve downed a couple glasses of sangria from this Seminole Heights gastro-tavern (a couple’s all it takes — trust me). Nothing tops the Drunk Grilled Cheese’s heavenly combination of port derby, aged sharp Cheddar and caramelized onion on artisanal sourdough. The best part, though? There’s a side of blackberry mead sauce to achieve sandwich-dipping bliss. 6719 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 813-238-5618, mermaidtaverntampa.com. —Meaghan Habuda
EDDIE MUENSTER at CENTRAL MELT
Did you know Eddie Munster (aka Butch Patrick) grew up to woo a Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader he met at DraculaCon but they separated right after Halloween? The things you learn on Wikipedia. If you need any more proof that Eddie was the most interesting Munster, consider his namesake at Central Melt: not just stretchy melty Muenster cheese, but turkey, bacon, spinach and the tang of pesto mayo on perfectly grilled rye. Compact and complex with a tasty twist — just like Eddie. 685 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-346-5338, centralmelt.com. —David Warner
GOLDEN GOUDA at THE SANDWICH ON MAIN
There’s no purer test of the sandwich-making craft than a grilled cheese, and this Safety Harbor restaurant nails it. The Golden Gouda features melty Gouda, golden raisins and a golden sauce on flaky Portuguese bread fashioned in-house. The shop’s menu is a sandwich lover’s heaven, of course, and any selection between two slices of bread can also be converted into a salad. 308 Main St., Safety Harbor, 727-773-6234, thesandwichonmain.com. —Ryan Ballogg
INDIE GRILLED CHEESE at INDEPENDENT BAR AND CAFE
A craveable, celebrated sandwich that should be as storied as the building it’s made in. Start your afternoon at the Indie with this beautiful marriage of marble rye, creamy Gouda, honey and spiced pear, and then dive into one of the best tap lists on either side of the bay. Guaranteed to get you a second date with the person you just met on Tinder. 5016 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-341-4883, independentbartampa.com. —Ray Roa
MAC & CHEEZUS at KINGS STREET FOOD COUNTER
Yes, it’s that sandwich again — the one with pulled pork and smoky-sharp, jalapeño-sparked homemade mac and cheese on perfectly toasted bread, and it’s just as good as when it won Best Come to Cheezus Moment in the 2016 BOTB awards. Have you found Cheezus yet? 937 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-914-2111, kingsdtsp.com. —David Warner
For more of our 50 Best Sandwiches, follow the sounds of growling bellies.
