The sandwich from Shake Shack seemed small, and I thought the option 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. And although it's a simple meal to make at home, 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.Sonic has more than 3,500 locations across the US.
Ken Wolter/Shutterstock
Sonic was originally founded in 1953 as a root beer stand called Top Hat in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The chain's name was changed in 1959, and the rest is history. Sonic now has over 3,300 locations across 47 states.
Sonic's grilled cheese was definitely priced to sell at just $3.25.
There certainly was plenty of cheese.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 of the sides of the bread. However, the sandwich was full-size 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.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 over 600 locations worldwide. Although the chain is perhaps best known for its burgers and fries, it also sells grilled cheese sandwiches.
Mine cost $6, which seemed a bit steep, having just come from Sonic.
The sandwich tasted good, but was a bit small.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.I ordered my last grilled cheese sandwich from Five Guys.
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The famous burger chain was founded in 1986 and has expanded from a family business in Arlington, Virginia, to almost 2,000 locations worldwide.
I paid $7 for my grilled cheese sandwich.
The sandwich was pricey but delicious.I enjoyed Five Guys' thick, buttery bread.
Steven John
The grilled cheese from Five Guys was the best-tasting of the bunch. It was cooked fresh after I ordered, and it 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.Sonic's grilled cheese sandwich offered the best overall value.
Steven John
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.
This story was originally published on April 8, 2025, and most recently updated on April 24, 2026.