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Where to Go for Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup in D.C.

The winning pairing is perfect for winter weather

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The combo of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup is a childhood favorite that stands the test of time. Alternating tastes of gooey, fatty cheese and warm, slightly acidic broth would work even without the nostalgia.

Cravings for the dish arise in D.C. when the city pushes through the dark and chilly winter months. Some chefs keep it simple, adding little more than a special cheese to the sandwich. Others go bold and introduce bacon or barbecued brisket to the final product.

No matter the final recipe, here are 12 D.C. restaurants serving the winning pairing.

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Songbyrd Record Cafe and Music House

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This Adams Morgan restaurant caters to concert-goers, coffee shop workers, and hungry passersby with its croissant loaf grilled cheese. Tillamook cheddar rounds out the buttery, flaky sandwich that comes with a side of lemongrass tomato bisque for dipping (and sipping).

Breadsoda Bar, Deli & Billiards

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Unwind with a grilled cheese and a game of shuffleboard or pool at this underground Glover Park hangout. The sandwich comes standard with a pickle spear and a bag of chips, with bacon available for an extra $2. Complete the dish with a bowl or side serving of vegan — but somehow still creamy — tomato soup.

American Ice Company

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A side of tomato soup (or chips) comes complimentary with the grilled cheese. Pulled pork, buffalo chicken or brisket can be added for a few extra dollars.

The Meatball Shop

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This New York City import knows its way around comfort food. For a non-sandwich take on the grilled cheese and soup combo, diners here can ask for the off-menu grilled cheese balls available during the winter. The gooey, three-cheese bread balls are made with plenty of butter and served on top of a bowl of creamy tomato soup.

Stoney's Restaurant

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Order a cup or bowl of roasted tomato basil soup to go with Stoney's famous grilled cheese, made with thick slices of buttery bread and always served with fries. Feeling extra hungry? The try one of the grilled cheeses filled with ham, bacon, roasted barbecue pork, turkey, or tuna.

Radiator

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A classic cheddar grilled cheese, served on brioche with a side of tomato bisque, appears on Radiator’s l “Apres Ski” menu for $12 through the end of January. A portion of the menu proceeds will be donated to DC Central Kitchen.

Eat this classic combo in an upscale setting at chef Ris Lacoste’s restaurant. Belly up to the bar, where they lunch menu always offers a grilled cheese and cream of tomato soup combo.

Prather's On The Alley

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Over in the Mt. Vernon Triangle neighborhood, customers can satisfy comfort cravings with a grilled cheese on rustic bread filled with arugula, Dijon mustard, cheddar, and pickled onions. The entree is served with a bowl of tomato soup to bring it all together.

Founding Farmers

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Founding Farmers has a long menu meant to please a crowd, so of course it serves this classic duo. It sells grilled cheese and roasted tomato soup with a side of fries or farmers chips during lunch and dinner. Add ham for $3 more.

Grilled cheeses are the star of the menu here. Stick with a traditional grilled cheese or go deeper into the menu with fillings like caramelized onions and Grueyere; kimchi and roast beef; or buffalo chicken, blue cheese, and red onion. Tomato soup is always available from the sides menu.

Ted's Bulletin (Multiple locations)

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A plate of grilled cheese and tomato soup is always on the lunch menu at this throwback diner. The deluxe option comes with a choice of applewood smoked bacon, tomato, or ham. For something truly indulgent, go with the super deluxe, which adds braised short ribs and a three-cheese macaroni.

Cheesetique

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This cheese shop doesn't skimp on the good stuff with a whole section of the menu devoted to grilled cheese including a"Grown-Up Grilled Cheese" that features Prairie Breeze cheddar melted between two slices of sourdough. Its tomato soup is also topped with shredded cheddar.

Songbyrd Record Cafe and Music House

This Adams Morgan restaurant caters to concert-goers, coffee shop workers, and hungry passersby with its croissant loaf grilled cheese. Tillamook cheddar rounds out the buttery, flaky sandwich that comes with a side of lemongrass tomato bisque for dipping (and sipping).

Breadsoda Bar, Deli & Billiards

Unwind with a grilled cheese and a game of shuffleboard or pool at this underground Glover Park hangout. The sandwich comes standard with a pickle spear and a bag of chips, with bacon available for an extra $2. Complete the dish with a bowl or side serving of vegan — but somehow still creamy — tomato soup.

American Ice Company

A side of tomato soup (or chips) comes complimentary with the grilled cheese. Pulled pork, buffalo chicken or brisket can be added for a few extra dollars.

The Meatball Shop

This New York City import knows its way around comfort food. For a non-sandwich take on the grilled cheese and soup combo, diners here can ask for the off-menu grilled cheese balls available during the winter. The gooey, three-cheese bread balls are made with plenty of butter and served on top of a bowl of creamy tomato soup.

Stoney's Restaurant

Order a cup or bowl of roasted tomato basil soup to go with Stoney's famous grilled cheese, made with thick slices of buttery bread and always served with fries. Feeling extra hungry? The try one of the grilled cheeses filled with ham, bacon, roasted barbecue pork, turkey, or tuna.

Radiator

A classic cheddar grilled cheese, served on brioche with a side of tomato bisque, appears on Radiator’s l “Apres Ski” menu for $12 through the end of January. A portion of the menu proceeds will be donated to DC Central Kitchen.

Ris

Eat this classic combo in an upscale setting at chef Ris Lacoste’s restaurant. Belly up to the bar, where they lunch menu always offers a grilled cheese and cream of tomato soup combo.

Prather's On The Alley

Over in the Mt. Vernon Triangle neighborhood, customers can satisfy comfort cravings with a grilled cheese on rustic bread filled with arugula, Dijon mustard, cheddar, and pickled onions. The entree is served with a bowl of tomato soup to bring it all together.

Founding Farmers

Founding Farmers has a long menu meant to please a crowd, so of course it serves this classic duo. It sells grilled cheese and roasted tomato soup with a side of fries or farmers chips during lunch and dinner. Add ham for $3 more.

GCDC

Grilled cheeses are the star of the menu here. Stick with a traditional grilled cheese or go deeper into the menu with fillings like caramelized onions and Grueyere; kimchi and roast beef; or buffalo chicken, blue cheese, and red onion. Tomato soup is always available from the sides menu.

Ted's Bulletin (Multiple locations)

A plate of grilled cheese and tomato soup is always on the lunch menu at this throwback diner. The deluxe option comes with a choice of applewood smoked bacon, tomato, or ham. For something truly indulgent, go with the super deluxe, which adds braised short ribs and a three-cheese macaroni.

Cheesetique

This cheese shop doesn't skimp on the good stuff with a whole section of the menu devoted to grilled cheese including a"Grown-Up Grilled Cheese" that features Prairie Breeze cheddar melted between two slices of sourdough. Its tomato soup is also topped with shredded cheddar.

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