Grilled Cheese Specialists Add South Bay Shop

Grater Grilled Cheese, which started out as a food truck in 2011 before establishing its first storefront in 2014, has just expanded to Chula Vista where its latest eatery has opened in the Otay Ranch community in the Millenia Commons shopping center. Owners Bernardo and Maya Kanarek, who plan to relaunch the brand’s franchising opportunities in early 2021, currently operate Grater locations in Mission Valley, Irvine, and Huntington Beach after having shuttered its Del Mar Heights outpost earlier this year. They also run a related eatery, Grater Greens, in the Mission Valley area.

Its menu of gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches are based on a blend of five cheeses on sourdough, with house specialties ranging from the Lobster Grilled Cheese with sautéed lobster to the Nashville Hot with fried chicken and the Texas Grilled Cheese with barbecued short ribs. They’re also customizable, with bread options and a variety of toppings and spreads. The menu also includes burgers, appetizers, and sides as well as loaded truffle fries and mac and cheese.

The Otay Ranch location is open for takeout and delivery Monday through Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.