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

The winning pairing is perfect for winter weather

by Travis Mitchell and Meredith Bethune Updated
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by Travis Mitchell and Meredith Bethune Updated
Ted’s Bulletin/Facebook

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).

2475 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 450-2917
(202) 450-2917
Songbyrd/Facebook

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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.

2233 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 333-7445
(202) 333-7445
Breadsoda/Facebook

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.

917 V St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 758-3562
(202) 758-3562
American Ice Company/Official

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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.

1720 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 684-8564
(202) 684-8564
Yelp

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.

1433 P St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 234-1818
(202) 234-1818
Yelp

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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.

1430 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 742-3150
(202) 742-3150
Yelp

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Ris

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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.

2275 L St NW, Washington, D.C. 20037
(202) 730-2500
(202) 730-2500
Yelp

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.

455 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 838-9633
(202) 838-9633
Prather’s on the Alley/Facebook

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.

1924 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 822-8783
(202) 822-8783
Founding Farmers/Facebook

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GCDC

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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.

1730 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 393-4232
(202) 393-4232
GCDC/Facebook

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.

505 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 544-8337
(202) 544-8337
Ted’s Bulletin/Facebook

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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.

2411 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA, 22301
(703) 706-5300
(703) 706-5300
Yelp

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Songbyrd Record Cafe and Music House

2475 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

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).

2475 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 450-2917
(202) 450-2917
Songbyrd/Facebook

Breadsoda Bar, Deli & Billiards

2233 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

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.

2233 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 333-7445
(202) 333-7445
Breadsoda/Facebook

American Ice Company

917 V St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

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.

917 V St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 758-3562
(202) 758-3562
American Ice Company/Official

The Meatball Shop

1720 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

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.

1720 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 684-8564
(202) 684-8564
Yelp

Stoney's Restaurant

1433 P St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

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.

1433 P St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 234-1818
(202) 234-1818
Yelp

Radiator

1430 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005

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.

1430 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 742-3150
(202) 742-3150
Yelp

Ris

2275 L St NW, Washington, D.C. 20037

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.

2275 L St NW, Washington, D.C. 20037
(202) 730-2500
(202) 730-2500
Yelp

Prather's On The Alley

455 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001

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.

455 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 838-9633
(202) 838-9633
Prather’s on the Alley/Facebook

Founding Farmers

1924 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20006

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.

1924 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 822-8783
(202) 822-8783
Founding Farmers/Facebook

GCDC

1730 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20006

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.

1730 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 393-4232
(202) 393-4232
GCDC/Facebook

Ted's Bulletin (Multiple locations)

505 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

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.

505 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 544-8337
(202) 544-8337
Ted’s Bulletin/Facebook

Cheesetique

2411 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA, 22301

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.

2411 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA, 22301
(703) 706-5300
(703) 706-5300
Yelp

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