There is something fun about watching local kitchens take a classic and turn it into something completely new, and that is exactly what happened on my latest stop for Say Cheese Month.
Stop 19 brought me to The Haul, tucked right into downtown Grants Pass at 121 SW H Street. I met up with my good friend Joe Dinkowitz, and we were both excited to see what they had put together for this one. The concept alone had my attention, a mashup of a grilled cheese and French onion soup.
What showed up at the table did not disappoint.
The sandwich starts with toasted sourdough, stacked with a blend of Gruyère, fontina, and Swiss cheese. Add in a generous layer of perfectly grilled onions, and you already have something solid. What really sets it apart is what comes with it, a miso onion consommé served on the side for dipping.
That is where everything comes together.
The sandwich on its own is rich, cheesy, and packed with flavor, but dipping it into that consommé brings in a whole new depth. It adds that savory, slightly salty punch you would expect from a great French onion soup, with a unique twist from the miso. It is one of those combinations that just works.
I have said it before throughout this series, but the creativity from these local spots continues to impress me. Taking two comfort food staples and combining them into something this cohesive and this good is no easy task.
The Haul did not just participate in Say Cheese Month, they made a statement with this one.
If you are a fan of grilled cheese, French onion soup, or just good food in general, this is absolutely worth checking out. As always, it is another great reminder of why supporting local restaurants in our community matters.
