A wide selection at Cheese Shop 831 (Photo: Mark C. Anderson)
January 13, 2023 – Maybe you can’t judge a book by its cover. But you can judge a cheese depot by its facade just fine.
Cheese Shop 831’s cover consists of several elements that all say Get. In. Here. Immediately.
There’s the prettiest neon sign I’ve seen—reading GRILLED CHEESE—amid an otherwise strip mall-chic storefront.
Then there’s what owner-operator Jillian Pirolo is wearing: a “Let it brie” cap and a “ Last night a cheesemonger saved my life” T-shirt.
Then there’s every corner of the modest space, each presenting more first-glance intel this place is limburger legit, which is why Edible Monterey Bay soul sister Amber Turbin was so amped for its opening during COVID, albeit pre-grilled cheese.
Owner Jillian Pirolo and a Jarlsberg-Bacon Grilled Cheese (Photo: Mark C. Anderson)
Plus there are more cheesy word play to fondue you right, which is my jam. (Herd that! Life is gouda with puns.)
Speaking of jam, the primary caloric reason for my visit is there glowing in the front window: GRILLED CHEESE. Every single one of them comes with a housemade triple-berry jam that—in flavor and complementary character—is chef kiss squared.
My first pilgrimage came on a fall afternoon at 3pm, which meant I missed the window for the grilled cheeses, which rotate through flavor-forward versions every two weeks and get dished from 11:30-2:30am every day they’re open (Tuesday through Sunday).
They also drop treats like giant pretzels, truffle popcorn, tomato soup and mini cheesecake for $2-$8.
The two grilled cheese offerings ($12-$14) for early January 2023: a “Jarlsberg and Bacon” and a “Drunk in Italy” with wine-soaked Ubriaco cheese and provolone.
The made-to-order sandwiches take 10 minutes. That time presents a bonus—and dangerous—benefit, namely to peruse the inventory and sample some cheeses.
Gourmet treats and…..
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