As part of my ongoing “Say Cheese Month” tour around Grants Pass, I recently made stop No. 18 at Perez Kitchen & Bar on Southwest G Street, and this one stood out in a big way.
This time, I decided to bring along a guest, Casandra Staten, to get a fresh perspective. Food is always better when it’s shared, and I’ve been wanting to include more real-time reactions from others as I work my way through some of the area’s most creative takes on the classic grilled cheese.
Perez Kitchen & Bar didn’t just put together a sandwich, they built something that feels like a mash-up of comfort food favorites done right. Their version features a combination of Gruyère and white cheddar, layered with tender birria, topped with crispy onion straws, all pressed between slices of house-made sourdough. On the side comes a rich birria dipping sauce that ties everything together.
From the first bite, it’s clear this isn’t your standard grilled cheese. The flavors lean more toward a birria taco, with the savory, slow-cooked meat taking center stage while the cheeses add a smooth, slightly nutty balance. The onion straws bring in a bit of crunch, giving the sandwich a texture that keeps each bite interesting.
What really makes it work, though, is the sourdough. It’s grilled just right, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and sturdy enough to hold everything together without getting soggy, even when dipped into the sauce.
Casandra’s reaction said it all before I could even ask, this was one of those meals that makes you pause for a second after the first bite. It’s familiar, but at the same time, it feels like something new.
That’s been the theme I keep running into during this month-long journey. Local kitchens aren’t just serving food, they’re experimenting, combining flavors, and putting their own spin on classics in a way that keeps things exciting.
Perez Kitchen & Bar’s grilled cheese is a perfect example of that creativity. It takes something simple and turns it into something memorable.
If this stop is any indication, Grants Pass continues to prove it has a food scene that’s not just growing, but getting better with every bite.
