WHO WILL CLAIM
THE BIG CHEESE CROWN?
YOU DECIDE!

24 FEATURED LOCATIONS


Please check with individual restaurants for Easter Weekend hours!

the ultimate comfort
food battle!

The Big Cheese Smackdown: a friendly but serious grilled sammie smackdown is back! Bringing together the most creative culinary minds in our area to compete in the cheesiest challenge of the year. Each sandwich is a unique creation, limited only by the chef's imagination and the basic rule: it's gotta be a grilled cheese.

BIG CHEESE PASSPORT

BIG CHEESE PASSPORT

New this year!

As you visit each participating restaurant, use your passport to rate their sandwich, jot down tasting notes, and track your favorites. Will you find the perfect balance of crispy, gooey goodness? Only your taste buds can decide! Complete your passport by visiting multiple locations, then cast your vote to help crown this year’s ultimate grilled cheese champion. Passports will be available at all participating restaurants.

2024 WINNER

A huge congratulations to Georgian Hills Vineyards for taking home the title of Best Grilled Cheese in the 2024 competition! Their winning creation, “Major Yum Meltdown” , wowed the community with its incredible flavor, creativity, and perfectly melted goodness.

We also want to extend a big thank you to all of the amazing restaurants that participated, as well as everyone who came out to taste, vote, and support local businesses. This event wouldn’t be possible without you!

Follow us on Instagram for updates!

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View fullsize We conducted this study and stand behind its completely unscientific results. #TheBigCheese #CheesePower #WhoWillBeTheBigCheese #GrilledCheeseWars #TheBigCheesePlease #TheBigCheese2025 #BlueMountainEats #GrilledCheeseGoals
View fullsize And finally, Introducing the 2025 entry from last year’s Big Cheese Champions “The Pear-suit of Happiness” from the team at @georgianhills A decadent twist on a classic, this gourmet grilled cheese sits between slices of rustic p
View fullsize Introducing the grilled cheese from our sponsor and organizer @thecheesegallery with their sandwich “The Hail Mary” - a last-minute attempt to save their sandwich after their original sandwich had to be scrapped A generous, almost ridic
View fullsize Introducing a surprise 25th entry into our competition with “Smoked Brightsider Grilled Cheese” from @brightside_deli Stacked with tender Montreal Smoked Meat and loaded with melted Applewood Smoked Cheddar, Swiss, and Provolone, this s
View fullsize Another outstanding sandwich by a freshman team - introducing The Gordon’s Mac & Grilled Cheeese from @gordonscollingwood This sandwich features Caramelized onions, Bacon Jam, Gordon’s own Mac & Cheese, Black River Pepper Jack &
View fullsize Introducing the Sweet & Sassy from the team @thornburybakerycafe The Sweet & Sassy features a Chef Patrick croissant filled with local gala apples, double cream brie cheese and our house made hot honey! Sweet, sassy and delicious! #TheBi
View fullsize Introducing The Big Crunch from the team @winifreds_pub Sink your teeth into golden-crisp chicken breast, brined for 24 hours to lock in maximum juiciness. Layered with a bold three-cheese blend, a generous smear of spicy mayo, and balanced by the
View fullsize Introducing the Clarkys Roasted Rider from the team of grilled cheese enthusists @themarketonmarsh The Clarkys Roasted Rider is this year’s take on their famous jalapẽno popper grilled cheese. A blend of cheddars, cream cheese, coppa bacon, a
View fullsize Introducing The Don Crujido from another first-time participant @sunsetgrill located in the Village at Blue Mountain This is a Croque Monsieur’s wilder sibling. A crispy cheddar shell guards a molten core of Swiss, bacon, and jalapeños,
View fullsize Introducing the Duck Egg Carbonara from a first-time competitor @gioandfrans If you love the duck egg carbonara at Franny’s Mercato then just wait until you try this delicious grilled cheese version of our famous pasta dish. Farm fresh duck e
View fullsize Introducing The PPGC from @themillcafe returning to the Smackdown after taking a year off last year - we missed you friends! This grilled cheese features slow braised pork shoulder enhanced by Signature house barbecue sauce. It’s nestled betwe
View fullsize Introducing another sandwich from a first-year entrant: The Melt-Mac Attack from @firehallpizza The mouthwatering perfection starts with two 100% pure all beef patties and FPC Secret Sauce sandwiched between sesame seed milk bread. It’s toppe
View fullsize Introducing The Culinary Designs Croque Crunch from (you guessed it!) @culinary_designs_catering A delicious spin on the classic croque monsieur!!! Ham, gruyere, honey kettle chips, Dijon aioli, grilled on cheese bread with a crispy cheese outer la
View fullsize Introducing The Tandoorner from the team @thecornercafegrill Featuring tender pieces of Tandoori chicken, smothered in house made butter chicken sauce, with cheddar cheese & caramelised onions. Served with a dipper of butter chicken sauce, and
View fullsize Introducing The Alpine Melt from @dagsandwillow! A combination of layers of 1655 Gruyere & Five Brothers, melted together with a caramelized onion & chunks of Ontario Bacon. Sandwiched between Fresh Fred’s Bread Sourdough crisped to p
View fullsize Introducing Clark’s BBQ Grilled Cheese from @thornburycraft This grilled cheese feature Brisket braised in our Blue Mountain Light Lager, loaded with Mac & Cheese and served on Thornbury Bakery Sourdough Bread! Served with fries and slaw.
View fullsize Introducing The Brisket Grilled Cheese from the team @theportthornbury (another first time@team!!) This grilled cheese features slow roasted beef brisket, light rye, caramelized onions, white cheddar, gruyere & lemon garlic aioli. Now that da
View fullsize Meet the Blue Cheese & Bacon Bliss from first time entrant @mj.byrnes This sandwich on grilled multi grain bread loaded with Avocado mash, Roasted tomatoes, Apple wood smoked bacon & Danish blue cheese. Blue cheese is a bold choice and we
View fullsize Introducing The Pickleback from the team at @tesoromercato This is a bold and tangy twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich. It features rich, Balderson extra-old cheddar, the sharp flavour pairs perfectly with the crisp bite of dill pickles.