The idea came to Bruce Klores many years ago while eating a great grilled cheese sandwich walking the streets of San Francisco. He told so many people about it that he really had no choice—it had to happen. First, however he had to wind down the law practice he started 30 years earlier—and then he had to find a partner with the energy and love of food to join him. So when his son Steven was ready to graduate college he “convinced” him to put his music career on hold and to keep cooking together. The rest is—well.
It took us two years to move from idea to opening. To create the menu of sandwiches we ran a 220 volt line for our grill to the basement of the law firm brownstone—and tested sandwiches every day. As the Washington Post put it—“litigation upstairs—grilled cheese downstairs!”
It was here that the French Onion, the District Cemita and the Jalapeno Popper were born. Then we found our ideal location a half block from the White House. With an international array of delicious sandwiches and Steven’s own “tomato soup with a kick” we opened our doors in April 2014 to long lines. It seems people really do love grilled cheese! (Thankfully ours as well).
Customers also create their own sandwiches—and do they ever. We make everything in house—from our short ribs to our caramelized onions to our summer time gazpacho. At night we have a busy full bar and a wide selection of sandwiches and lots of delicious cheeses served up by our knowledgeable staff.
We cater, hold private ev