In an effort to widen the gap between the have and the have-nots, Deca Restaurant + Bar is offering the 'Zillion Dollar Grilled Cheese.' Thanks to the Chicago eatery, what was once a humble, easy-going comfort food is now a pretentious, overpriced gourmet experience.
The remixed sandwich is actually a grilled ham-and-cheese sandwich. To further distinguish its upscale properties, the ham is described as being "sourced from pigs living primarily in the south of Spain, allowed to roam free in the pasture eating acorns until they are of proper size...then salted and air-dried for six weeks followed by a minimum curing process of 12 months."
Meanwhile, the most important ingredient -- the cheese -- is an aged (40 years, to be exact) Wisconsin cheddar infused with flakes of 24-karat gold. Insert eye-roll here.
This upscale bastardization of the classic grilled cheese is finished off with a white truffle aioli, heirloom tomatoes and 100-year-aged balsamic vinegar, served on an "artisan" (a word that's now completely void of meaning) sourdough bread. Though I can't deny it's probably delicious, I can't, in good conscience, spend $100 on a sandwich -- no matter its karat count.
High-Stakes Grilled Cheeses
The Zillion Dollar Grilled Cheese is Exclusively for High Rollers
Trend Themes
1. Upscale Comfort Food - There is a trend of transforming humble comfort foods into extravagant, luxurious experiences, creating opportunities for high-end culinary innovation.
2. Premium Ingredients - The use of rare and exclusive ingredients in food offerings is a growing trend, providing opportunities for unique flavor combinations and premium product development.
3. Gourmet Sandwiches - The gourmet sandwich trend entails elevating classic sandwiches with high-quality ingredients and artisanal breads, allowing for creative and upscale interpretations.
Industry Implications
1. Culinary Experiences - Restaurants and culinary establishments can capitalize on the trend of upscale comfort food by offering exclusive dining experiences and high-end menu options.
2. Artisanal Food and Ingredients - The market for premium and rare ingredients, such as aged cheddar and truffles, presents opportunities for artisanal food producers and suppliers to cater to discerning consumers.
3. Gourmet Delicatessens - Specialty delis and gourmet sandwich shops can tap into the gourmet sandwich trend by offering unique flavor combinations, premium ingredients, and artisanal breads for an elevated sandwich experience.