THE GRATEFUL DEAD

GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH



THE GRATEFUL DEAD GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH WAS THE FIRST THING I EVER COOKED FOR COMPENSATION.


IN 1992 I WAS 16 YEARS OLD AND WENT TO SEE THE GRATEFUL DEAD AT SOLDIER FIELD. AFTER THE THURSDAY CONCERT I SCORED, (AMONG OTHER THINGS), A MIRACLE TICKET FOR THE FRIDAY SHOW IN THE PARKING LOT!


I HADN’T PLANNED OR BUDGETED FOR THE EXTRA DAY SO I LIKE MANY OTHERS I CAMPED OUT AT THE TAILGATE PARTY. I SLEPT IN MY ‘86 CAMARO AND WOKE UP HALLUCINATING AND HUNGRY AND BROKE. NO MONEY AND MANY HOURS OF PRE-CONCERT ACTIVITIES AHEAD OF ME WAS A BUMMER.


WITH A SEVERE CASE OF THE MUNCHIES I STRUCK A DEAL WITH THE DUDES AT THE UNAUTHORIZED GRILLED CHEESE CONCESSION STAND. FOR AN HOUR OF MANNING THE GRILL I COULD EAT AS MANY GRILLED CHEESES AS I WANTED. AT A BUCK A PIECE, I EARNED $12 WORTH OF SANDWICHES WHILE THE “BOSSES” DID WHIPITS AND FISHED OUT. EVEN SCORED SOME HASH AND A KISS FROM A HIPPIE CHICK!


THAT WAS A WICKED GOOD SUMMER! ONCE IN A WHILE YOU GET SHOWN THE LIGHT, IN THE STRANGEST OF PLACES IF YOU LOOK AT IT RIGHT.


BY THE WAY, THE TRICK TO THE ULTIMATE GRILLED CHEESE IS JUST A DASH OF GARLIC SALT ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BREAD BEFORE GRILLING.