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NYC's underground grilled cheese

A grilled cheese sandwich made by "Ronnie"

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TEXT OF STORY

BILL RADKE: For years, if you wanted illegal drugs in New York City, you'd get the number of an anonymous dealer who would show up at your location with the goods. Now an entrepreneur who goes by the name of "Ronnie" is trying this technique with... grilled cheese sandwiches. Hungry customers get Ronnie's number from a friend, or a friend-of-a-friend, and they text their order, and in 15 minutes or less they get a hot, grilled cheese anywhere in the Lower East Side.

Our friend Brendan Francis Newnam, co-host of "The Dinner Party Download," gave it a try.


BRENDAN FRANCIS NEWNAM: OK. I'm here on location in the Lower East Side. I just texted this number and I just told him where I was. So it's been about 10 minutes and every time I look around I think I see Ronnie. Is Ronnie a kid with alabaster legs that look like lollipop sticks riding a skateboard? Is Ronnie riding a bike with a cast on one leg?

RONNIE: Hey, how's it going?

NEWNAM: You're Ronnie? Do you have the stuff?

RONNIE: I do. I have the stuff right here for you.

NEWNAM: We didn't even talk about price?

RONNIE: Price? This is a $5 sandwich.

NEWNAM: Do you have change for a $10?

RONNIE: What kind of dealer would I be without change?

NEWNAM: Look at all that cash. How many grilled cheese have you moved today?

RONNIE: Today, I've done like 50.

NEWNAM: You mind sitting while I snack on this? So how did this get started?

RONNIE: Basically, I was making a grilled cheese for all my buddies after we'd come back from a night out and they loved it and told their friends. And their friends just kind of spread the word, and it grew bigger just by word-of-mouth.

NEWNAM: And so then, how did that turn into like people texting you randomly and press about this?

RONNIE: So the press happened because my brother's girlfriend used to be in PR and she contacted UrbanDaddy, and they ate it up.

NEWNAM: Literally.

RONNIE: Yeah.

NEWNAM: All right. I'm going to check this out. It's really nice bread. What kind of bread is this?

RONNIE: This is, what do I have? Rye there from Blue Ribbon Bakery.

NEWNAM: And we have Granny Smith apples and gooey cheddar cheese.

RONNIE: And a whole lot of cheddar cheese.

NEWNAM: Excellent. And it's still hot. I know you're not going to tell me, but your kitchen must be pretty close?

RONNIE: It's pretty close. And I did a couple laps around the block trying to find you.

NEWNAM: So what's next?

RONNIE: Next I'm looking to get into a legal kitchen. For example, a restaurant that isn't open for lunch. I would rent it out from them and just work the lunch shift delivering sandwiches everywhere.

NEWNAM: You know how people are really picky in restaurants. Has anyone like sent you back?

RONNIE: I've gotten nothing, but good feedback.

NEWNAM: Isn't that part of it, though, cause you get away with a lot cause it's such a clever setup that this sandwich could suck and I would still be tickled.

RONNIE: Definitely. The product still has to be good, but even if it's not excellent people are still probably going to like.

NEWNAM: So when are you going to be able to reveal your identity.

RONNIE: Once I get into a legal kitchen.

NEWNAM: So why Ronnie?

RONNIE: Well, it's the perfect pseudonym because it's my name also.


RADKE: Brendan is co-host of our sister show "The Dinner Party Download."

And read our story to find out why Ronnie better watch out, or he could end up like Dr. Claw...

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Elizabeth Holly's picture
Elizabeth Holly - Mar 14, 2011

Yes, the grill cheese guy is incredible.... the lobster roll guy wonderful... but whatever happen to the "meatball" girl on Cherry street?????? She was the first underground foodie.......... Her meatballs are off the hook!!!!! I hear she'll be back in the spring....... anyone know how to contact her???????? My mouth waters for those meatballs- the raisin and pine nut ones w/ shaved reggiano parmesean!!!!!!! Please inform....

Jim Mangan's picture
Jim Mangan - Nov 5, 2010

Yanno, I was thinkin of this idea for about 6 months now, just sellin grilled cheeses, and soda of course, from a truck. but what a great idea! and I like mine with motzorella, american, and a slice of munster on Scali bread lightly grilled... oh yea!

david mangan's picture
david mangan - Nov 4, 2010

Check out Grilled cheese nation. It is a truck here in Boston that sells nothing BUT grilled cheese sandwiches. AND the guys name is Ronnie! Go on line and you will see his awesome truck. He and his partner Todd are making a killing. Over 750 sandwiches a day...

H Dang's picture
H Dang - Oct 21, 2010

$5 for an excellent sandwich with free delivery? How awsome is that...
Maybe the Subway and Quiznos can take notes on this.

Joe B's picture
Joe B - Sep 27, 2010

I live in Wisconsin. We need a grilled cheese man here for sure. After all, it's Wisconsin.

M Zen's picture
M Zen - Sep 23, 2010

What a great guy! You need to franchise this idea.
The FDA is easy, just tell them you are selling egg salad -- they will leave you alone.

Erin R's picture
Erin R - Sep 23, 2010

We need a grilled cheese guy in Nashville. I like muenster and american on wheat, thanks.

Joe Seefus's picture
Joe Seefus - Sep 23, 2010

Ronnie doesn't have to look out for the Tax Man as much as someone else. Someone even more sinister, more evil...that person is the Health Inspector.
Here in California the Tax Man (both State and Federal) won't care as long as you have filled out the proper paperwork and paid your fees and taxes. The Health Department and their arcane and unclear laws? They'll shut you down before you can make your first sandwich.

McCoy Pauley's picture
McCoy Pauley - Sep 22, 2010

When cheese is outlawed, only outlaws will eat cheese.

goodnessbaker goodnessbakeshop's picture
goodnessbaker g... - Sep 22, 2010

It's sad that our litigious society has made it illegal for someone to sell a delicious homemade sandwich. In the history of mankind people have traded and sold their skills including farming and cooking without regulation and without issue. It has only been in the last 50 years or so that we have started suing each other and also getting the government involved. It would be nice to get back to the basics again with wholesome inexpensive food for everyone.

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