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Origin - It all started with a man named James L. Kraft, who in 1915 invented a way to manufacture "processed cheese," which meant the cheese could be transported across the country without spoiling.

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Origin - The early grilled cheese were called "Toasted Cheese Sandwiches," and they surged in popularity during World War II due to the durability of the cheese. The US Army bought 6 million lbs of Kraft's cheese to make "American cheese filling sandwiches" for hungry Naval seamen. Soon, the grilled cheese was in every American household and, more recently, in eateries across the country.

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20. Killer Poboys, New Orleans, LA - This French Quarter eatery does way more than po' boys. Its menu is extensive and includes the Whiskey Grilled Cheese. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0)

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19. Steuben’s Food Service, Denver, CO - This local favorite is known for its elevated take on American classics, like the grilled cheese. The grilled cheese you'll find here is as close to your childhood's version as it gets. It's served with a pickle slice and tomato soup. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

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18. Hopleaf, Chicago, IL - Famous for its craft beer, this place is much more than that. Try the Toasted Nueske Ham sandwich, served on pumpernickel and featuring nutty Gruyère cheese and apple-tarragon slaw. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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17. Gayle’s Best Ever Grilled Cheese, Chicago, IL - Originally a food truck, Gayle's now also has a brick and mortar version. You can't go wrong with the classic grilled cheese, featuring Prairie Pure butterkäse cheese and served on crispy sourdough bread. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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16. Grub, Los Angeles, CA - This homey eatery features an After School Special, its appropriately-named version of this classic sandwich filled with cheddar and Swiss cheese on sourdough bread.

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15. Cowgirl Creamery Sidekick & Milk Bar, San Francisco, CA - This café is located next to the Cowgirl Creamery, a staple of San Francisco. Its menu is short and includes a varying daily grilled cheese, featuring ingredients like figs, ricotta, artichokes, and pesto. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0)

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14. Bouldin Creek Cafe, Austin, TX - Originally located in a tiny shack, this organic vegetarian café has moved down the street to accommodate its hungry crowd. Its grilled cheese is a local favorite, offering a choice of fresh basil or cilantro, and add-ons like baby spinach, tomatoes, and jalapeños. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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13. Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, New York, NY - Located next to a 3,000-square-foot cheese-making facility, the adjacent café serves its celebrated grilled cheese sandwiches featuring the shop's own sharp cheddar produced next door. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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12. Murray’s Cheese Bar, New York, NY - The offspring of a much-respected cheese shop a few doors down, this cheese bar knows its cheese. Try the Murray’s Melt, a classic version of grilled cheese served on Pullman loaf and featuring the shop's secret blend of cheeses. Add bacon or ham for an extra kick. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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11. Katalina’s, Columbus, OH - Housed in a 100-year-old gas station, this is one of Columbus' favorite breakfast eatery. Its grilled cheese is made with local Amish cheddar on sourdough, and a little bit of peach-habanero jam. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

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10. Circe’s Grotto, Charleston, SC - This café serves only sandwiches and salads. The house grilled cheese features melted smoked gouda and white cheddar, tomatoes, and creamy avocado. You can also add bacon.

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9. Yellow Jacket Social Club, Austin, TX - This café features a lovely patio where punk music plays in the background. Its popular grilled cheese is served on sourdough bread filled with fontina and havarti cheese, accompanied by fresh herbs and served with crisp slices of pickled jicama. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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8. Ms. Cheezious, Miami, FL - The food truck is now a brick and mortar establishment, where customers can sit and enjoy its popular grown-up takes on grilled cheese, including a pulled pork version, a goat cheese and prosciutto on marble rye bread, and a southern fried chicken version served between two buttermilk waffles. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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7. The Grilled Cheese Truck, Los Angeles, CA - This food truck makes daily stops across LA so that folks can enjoy its cheesy creations. It's a food truck dedicated exclusively to America's favorite sandwich, so options abound. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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6. Alchemy, Madison, WI - This eatery is perfect for those seeking comfort food late at night. Its house-favorite veggie grilled cheese includes broccoli, roasted carrots, tomato, red onions, and lots of cheddar and Swiss with a touch of pesto. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

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5. Joy Cafe, Atlanta, GA - This brunch spot devotes a whole section of its menu to grilled cheese, so you're in for some tough choices.

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4. HopCat, Detroit, MI - Featuring 130 beers on tap, this spot is clearly perfect for drinking. But its skills don't end there. HopCat provides delicious comfort food, including its Madtown Grilled Cheese, made with dill havarti, smoked gouda and muenster, and all served on sourdough along with sliced apples, garlic aioli, and honey. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

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3. The Grilled Cheese Grill, Portland, OR - This renovated school bus serves creative versions of grilled cheese sandwiches, like the Jalapeño Popper, featuring pepper jack cheese, cream cheese, grilled jalapeños and tortilla chips served on sourdough. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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2. Cheese Wizards Food Truck, Seattle, WA - This truck serves grilled cheese sandwiches inspired by wizardry. That's right. If you've ever wanted to try a grilled cheese inspired by Voldemort, this is the place for you. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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1. Mission Cheese, San Francisco, CA - America's number one grilled cheese hails from artisan cheese bar that serves sandwiches boasting top-quality ingredients, including the hard cow’s milk cheese San Joaquin Gold, creamy chèvre, La Quercia prosciutto, and Dalmatia fig preserves. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0)

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Fun facts - A survey has pointed out that grilled cheese lovers are more generous and have more intercourse.

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Fun facts - Los Angeles used to host a yearly grill cheese championship, featuring the country's best grilled cheese makers. The last Grilled Cheese Invitational took place in 2014. The event's first edition was in 1993.

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Fun facts - Between the 1920s and the 1970s, the sandwich was called a "Cheese Dream." Appropriate.

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Fun facts - At the 2012 SXSW festival in Austin, TX, a Japanese competitive eater downed 13 grilled cheese sandwiches in one minute.

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Fun facts - In 2004, a woman who claimed the coloring on her 10-year-old grilled cheese resembled the face of the Virgin Mary sold it on eBay for US$28,000. The sandwich had one bite taken out of it.

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Fun facts - Different recipes that combine melted cheese with bread can can be found in Ancient Roman texts.

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Fun facts -

Until the 1960s, grilled cheese sandwiches weren't actually sandwiches. Before then, melted cheese was served on one slice of bread instead of two.

See also: Delicious sandwich recipes to keep lunch interesting.

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