I tried grilled cheese sandwiches from Sonic, Shake Shack, and Five Guys. My favorite was also the least expensive.

I ordered grilled cheese sandwiches at Sonic, Five Guys, and Shake Shack to see which fast-food chain has the best offering.

Apr 8, 2025 - 19:28

I tried grilled cheese sandwiches from Sonic, Shake Shack, and Five Guys. My favorite was also the least expensive.

Half of each of the author's grilled cheese sandwiches from Five Guys, Shake Shack, and Sonic arranged on a plate. — Sonic's grilled cheese sandwich offered the best overall value.
Steven John

I tried grilled cheese sandwiches from Sonic, Shake Shack, and Five Guys.
I thought the grilled cheese from Five Guys was overpriced.
Sonic's grilled cheese sandwich was my favorite for overall value.

A grilled cheese sandwich is one of the ultimate comfort foods. It's a simple meal to make at home, but I was curious to see which fast-food restaurant made the best version of the classic sandwich.

So, I went to Sonic, Shake Shack, and Five Guys to see how their grilled cheese sandwiches stacked up against each other. Here's how it went.

Prices may vary by location.

The first restaurant I visited was Sonic.

The exterior of a Sonic restaurant with it's sign in the foreground. — Sonic has more than 3,500 locations across the US.
Shutterstock

Sonic was originally founded in 1953 as a root beer stand in Shawnee, Oklahoma, called Top Hat. The chain's name was changed in 1959 and the rest is history. Sonic now has more than 3,500 locations across 46 states.

Sonic's grilled cheese was definitely priced to sell at just $3.25.

There certainly was plenty of cheese.

The author's grilled cheese sandwich from Sonic. — I was satisfied with Sonic's grilled cheese sandwich.
Steven John

Sonic's sandwich was the messiest of the bunch, with a decent amount of cheese oozing out the sides of the bread. However, the sandwich was full-sized, generously laden with cheese, and toasted well.

The bread was thick and spongy, and although the cheese definitely had a slightly artificial taste (as American cheese tends to, in my opinion), this was a satisfying sandwich that was 100% worth the money.

Next, I went to Shake Shack.

A person walking on the sidewalk outside a Shake Shack. — Shake Shack is known for its burgers, fries, and milkshakes, but it also serves grilled cheese.
Noam Galai/Getty Images

What once started as a Madison Square Park hot dog cart has grown into a chain with more than 580 locations worldwide. Although the chain is perhaps best known for its burgers and fries, it sells grilled cheese sandwiches, too.

Mine cost $6, which seemed a bit steep having just come from Sonic.

The sandwich tasted good, but was a bit small.

The author's grilled cheese sandwich from Shake Shack. — The grilled cheese from Shake Shack was on the smaller side.
Steven John

The sandwich tasted like a homemade grilled cheese, with a good balance of cheese and toasted bread.

However, it seemed to be much smaller than Sonic's offering, leaving me disappointed.

My last stop was Five Guys.

The exterior of a Five Guys restaurant in New Jersey. — I ordered my last grilled cheese sandwich from Five Guys.
John Greim/Contributor/LightRocket via Getty Images

The famous burger chain was founded in 1986 and has expanded from a family business in Arlington, Virginia, to about 1,700 locations worldwide.

I paid $7 for my grilled cheese sandwich.

The sandwich was pricey but delicious.

The author's grilled cheese sandwich from Five Guys. — I enjoyed the thick, buttery bread from Five Guys.
Steven John

The grilled cheese from Five Guys was the best tasting of the bunch. It was cooked fresh after I ordered, and was hot and melty when served.

The thick, buttery bread was delightful, and although the cheese was a bit overdone, it tasted great.

When I'm looking for a fast-food grilled cheese sandwich, price matters more than quality.

The only problem I had with Five Guys' sandwich was the price tag. At $7, it cost more than double that of the grilled cheese from Sonic, and was neither twice as good nor twice as big.

So, next time I want a fast-food grilled cheese sandwich, I'm heading to Sonic because its tasty offering sells for a great price.

Read the original article on Business Insider