Another vendor recommended I stop by the Big Cheese truck at The Fair — one of the out-of-town vendors. As much as I love seeing local businesses succeed and grow at The Fair, I also really enjoy meeting the vendors that travel from fair to fair around the country. They get to see the different foods and trends getting attention elsewhere, and I find they tend to bring a little more creativity and a more aggressive approach to funky flavor combinations.
Big Cheese is a perfect example. And yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like — a food truck dedicated to grilled cheese.
They’ve got the classics, but they also have a “Big Mac” Grilled Cheese stuffed with macaroni and cheese and a Lobster Mac and Cheese grilled cheese. I’ll admit that one was tempting, and the staff wanted me to try it, but I opted for The Vermont instead — a classic grilled cheese stuffed with bacon and raspberry jam.
Something about that combination just stood out to me: cheese, salty bacon, sweet raspberry jam. I knew I’d love it, and I did.
The bread had an almost picture-perfect grill on the outside — buttery, crunchy, delicious. It would have been a great basic grilled cheese on its own, but adding the saltiness of the bacon and the sweetness of the raspberry jam made it something truly special.
It’s a standard-size grilled cheese on a longer loaf, a little bigger than a slice of Wonder Bread, so with fries or chips added you’d have a standard diner-style portion. It’s certainly enough for lunch, although at The Fair you’d probably still want something else before you’re full. I’d recommend cutting it into fourths and splitting it among a group of four for a fun snack between meals.
The unique flavor combination is really what sets this one apart. I loved it, and if it were available at a restaurant near me, I’d probably order it often.
At The Fair, it’s definitely worth trying once.
If I had one note for Big Cheese, I’d say use strips of bacon instead of crispy chopped bits — but it’s The Fair, and I understand that’s not the easiest environment to cook in, so I can’t knock them for it.
Is it worth trying for yourself? I think so. Whether you’ve got kids and just want a basic grilled cheese, or you’re looking for something more adventurous like the Lobster Mac and Cheese or The Vermont, it’s worth checking out.
