Cheesy Express-Gourmet Grilled Cheese (inside the GO Gasoline Mart)(Santee)

This location of Cheesy Express has closed, but there is a new location in Mission Beach we can all visit.  Santee will miss you!

Thanks for finding mmm-yoso!!! a food blog which exists in the interwebs.  Today, Kirk and Ed (from Yuma) are taking a break and Cathy is blogging about food. 

I've stated a few times that people have a favorite place close to home or work where they can pick up a quick meal…if hungry, you can find something to eat wherever you happen to be.  Most fuel stations have mini marts; you can grab and go with some sort of refrigerated/frozen prepared food item which is rarely fresh made.

IMG_5550

This GO Gas station replaced a Chevron station earlier this year. It's on the NorthEast corner of Mission Gorge at Carlton Hills in Santee.

IMG_5548

Here's the mini mart. Look over on the side of the building…to the far right.  "Cheesy Express Gourmet Grilled Cheese". Yes, I was curious…

IMG_5539

In its prior incarnation, this food mart had a small sandwich shop inside.  Now there is a sandwich shop

IMG_5573
IMG_5541

with three grills on the counter.

IMG_5557

On my first visit, I chose a 'make your own': Cheddar cheese on brioche ($3.49) add hickory bacon (99¢). A perfect, gooey, yummy grilled cheese and bacon (good quality thick bacon) sandwich. 

IMG_5555

Next time I tried the "Italian Delight" ($5.25) Provolone, pepperoni, sundried tomatoes and fresh basil.  Again, delightfully gooey, crunchy, tasty.

IMG_5588

Each time I've gone in, I have been offered a sample of either the BBQ pork or Korean BBQ beef.  I finally broke down and tried the BBQ& Mac sandwich ($6.75).  Great BBQ pulled pork AND a scoop of very good, gooey macaroni and cheese AND a slice of sharp cheddar AND very very good grilled onions all on a hearty Italian white bread.  This was a LOT of food and flavors.

IMG_5585

Of course there are 'dessert' grilled sandwiches here also.  The 'healthiest' choice (in my logic anyhow) is the grilled peanut butter with banana with chocolate chips on honey wheat bread ($4.75 + 50¢ for the special bread).  The chocolate chips melted in with the peanut butter, making its own creamy goodness along with perfectly warming the bananas…the grilled bread was done right and I could taste the honey in it…

Just another great find that I happened to notice.  When the weather gets cooler, I think a simple grilled cheese with tomato soup will be perfect. 

Cheesy Express Gourmet Grilled Cheese  9312 Mission Gorge Road Santee 92071 (619) 436-4250 (inside GO Mart Fuel station Mission Gorge Road at Carleton Hills, Santee) Open 7 days M-F 8-6, Sat-Sun 9-4:30