Stop number five on my journey through Say Cheese Month, supporting the Josephine County Food Bank, brought me to The Growler Guys, located at 531 NE F Street in Grants Pass. This local spot is known for its wide selection of craft beverages, but for this event they stepped up with a grilled cheese creation that shows just how creative comfort food can get.
Their featured entry is a Bacon Jam Pepper Popper Grilled Cheese, served on fresh house-made focaccia bread and loaded with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and a sweet and spicy bacon jam. Right away, the focaccia makes an impression. It arrives warm, soft, and lightly toasted, giving the sandwich just the right amount of structure without overpowering the fillings. Focaccia isn’t the typical choice for grilled cheese, but here it works beautifully, adding a slightly airy texture with just enough crispness on the outside.
The real star of the sandwich is the bacon jam pepper mixture. It delivers a balanced sweet heat that wakes up the entire dish. The sweetness from the bacon jam comes through first, followed by a gentle pepper kick that builds without overwhelming the palate. It is flavorful without being heavy, which can sometimes happen with bacon-based spreads.
The cheese combination also deserves credit. The cheddar brings that classic grilled cheese sharpness, while the cream cheese adds a rich, smooth texture that melts into the bread and ties everything together. The creaminess helps mellow the heat from the pepper jam, creating a layered flavor that keeps each bite interesting.
What makes this sandwich stand out is its creativity. It still respects the spirit of a grilled cheese, warm bread and melted cheese, but the addition of bacon jam and peppers pushes it into something more adventurous. It feels like a playful nod to jalapeño poppers, transformed into sandwich form.
Part of the fun of Say Cheese Month is seeing how different restaurants interpret such a simple, nostalgic dish. Some stick close to tradition, while others experiment with bold ingredients and new textures. The Growler Guys clearly chose the latter, and the result is a sandwich that feels thoughtful and unique rather than gimmicky.
Overall, this stop definitely earns points for originality. The combination of house-made focaccia, creamy cheese, and sweet-spicy bacon jam creates a grilled cheese that feels both comforting and inventive. It is the kind of dish that reminds you how versatile a classic sandwich can be when a kitchen is willing to have a little fun with it.
I’m really enjoying seeing the different spins restaurants around Grants Pass are putting on grilled cheese for this event. Huge shoutout to The Growler Guys for bringing something creative and memorable to the table during Say Cheese Month.
