As the 2nd 8th Annual Grilled Cheese Invitational draws nearer and National Grilled Cheese Month draw to a close, you can still get in on the action. There are perennial favorites like Clementine and Campanile, but this year, for one week only — this week* — several local restaurants are adding specialty and limited-edition grilled cheese sandwiches to their menus. (Some of them are sponsored by Tillamook, which is also throwing its weight behind the GCI.)

Every day this week, Tender Greens chef Eric Hulme has been putting a different a grilled cheese creation on the menu. (Each sandwich costs $10.50 and comes with mixed greens dressed in sherry vinaigrette.) Today, it's grilled gruyere and toasted almonds on a cinnamon loaf. Tomorrow (the last day), it's San Joaquin Gold cow's milk cheese, oyster mushrooms and leeks on country white bread.

Hulme will also be entering his Quack Attack sandwich (see pic above) — crispy duck confit, fig and onion marmalade, smoky blue cheese and Morbier cheese on challah that's grilled with a mix of bacon fat & truffle butter — in the Kama Sutra division of Saturday's contest. Turn the page for further details…

101 Coffee Shop

6145 Franklin Ave. (323) 467-1175

Chef Brandon Boudet has also created a Po Boy for Angelenos across town with Tillamook Medium Cheddar & Homemade Creole Hot Sausage Po Boy ($9.00).

Dominick's

8715 Beverly Blvd. (310) 652-2335

Chef Brandon Boudet has created a sandwich featuring Tillamook Monterey Jack Grilled Cheese, Grilled Wild Ramp, Ciabatta Bread ($11.00).

The Foundry

7465 Melrose Ave. (323) 651-0915

Grilled Cheese Invitational veteran Chef Eric Greenspan will offer the Johnny Apple Cheese AKA Johnny Pastrami with Tillamook Sharp Cheddar, Sourdough Bread, Apple Mustard Chutney, Green Apple, Smoked Pastrami ($8.00).

The Oaks Gourmet

1915 N. Bronson Ave. (323) 871-8894

From another Grilled Cheese Invitational participant, Chef Luke Reyes will offer a sandwich with Tillamook Sharp Cheddar, Black Forest Bacon, Homemade Tomato Jam, Sourdough Bread ($9.95).

simplethings sandwich & pie shop

8310 W. 3rd St. (323) 592-3390

Chef Carrie Cusack has created a Pork Belly Grilled Cheese with Tillamook Monterey Jack Cheese, Pork Belly, Smoked Tomato, Caramelized Onions, Avocado ($9.50).

*Sorry we didn't mention these deals sooner. We've been busy training for our role as an executive judge at the GCI.

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.