Denny's Fried Cheese Melt

At some point last week Jacque and her friend Ginny went out to eat at Denny's for lunch. Now it has been years since I was last in a Denny's and when I used to go it was normally at 3-4 in the morning and I was just looking to put something in my stomach before I passed out for the night. Needless to say I didn't have a really fond opinion of the restaurant and despite this fact I couldn't stop thinking about eating there all last week. So over the weekend Jacque and I went to Denny's for lunch.

Upon walking in the door we were both pretty surprised at how clean the restaurant was. This is going to be a pretty good meal I thought to myself as a wave of hope swept over me. Maybe deciding to come to Denny's for lunch wasn't such a bad idea after all? Perhaps my memories of eating at Denny's were clouded with drunks falling all over the booths and vomit filled bathrooms?

We were quickly seated and given menus. I opened my menu with eager anticipation but besides breakfast I didn't really see anything I would want to eat. Why did I come to this place? What was I going to eat off this crazy fat filled menu? Maybe we should just leave? There is a really good sushi place just down the road I said to myself while paging through the menu one last time.

Then right before giving up completely I saw it on the menu insert. The most delightfully horrible menu item of all time, the "Denny's Fried Cheese Melt."

A bastion of fat, salt and deliciousness that I instantly knew I had to have. Lo and behold this modern marvel of culinary excellence also carries with it the amazingly affordable price point of only $4. To top it all off they throw in wavy fries and marinara dipping sauce to boot, I was sold immediately. Good health be damned I needed to know what this amazing advancement in grilled cheese sandwich technology tasted like. I also decided to mix it up and go with seasoned fires which are an extra $.49 cents but somehow always worth it.

Jacque went with a side salad and a cheese quesadilla which she also had last week with her friend. Quite a lame order after reading the breakdown for the Fried Cheese Melt.

"Grilled cheese with a twist. Four fried mozzarella sticks and melted American cheese grilled between two slices of sourdough bread. Served with wavy-cut French fries and a side of marinara sauce."

My mouth watered and my arteries hardened with anticipation. Make no mistake about it this was either going to be the best or the worst decision I had made in a very long time. There will be no middle ground with this fried cheese monster.

It arrived shortly after looking remarkably just like its menu picture. A fact that was not lost and Jacque and I as we were just discussing how food rarely looks like the menu items pictures.

I was filled with nervous anticipation as I lifted the hefty sandwich to my mouth for the first bite. Despite my excitement in the back of my head a much smarter dinner was urging my not to eat this ticking health bomb.

Throwing health caution to the wind I sunk my teeth into the Fried Cheese Melt and let the flavors wash over my tongue.

AND IT WAS AMAZING.......

I wish I was kidding about this but it was a delicious sandwich. The perfect amount of butter, salt, crunch and dairy make this thing dance on your tongue. Jacque who had just seconds earlier wrinkled her nose at the thought of taking a bite asked to have a sample.

We both agreed that it was a very delicious treat which is all this can be, a treat. This thing has the amounts of fat, salt and cheese to make your primitive brain crave it. It has been scientifically engineered to be nothing but delicious. Despire wanting to hate this meal and Denny's as a whole I have to give them some credit. For $10 Jacque and I both ate a delicious lunchs that was also affordable.

Sadly the health ramifications of this meal are far from affordable. My sandwich alone clocks in at 1,260 calories, has 63 g fat (21 g saturated, 1 g trans), and 3,010 mg sodium*.

To top it off I felt a bit sick the rest of the day and moved slow for a few hours after the meal. Lucky for me I spent four hours working very hard in my attic and I'm sure I burnt off at least 600 of those calories. I feel very sad for someone who would eat this thing and just go home and sit around.

In the end the Fried Cheese Melt if totally bad ass. I can not in good conscience suggest it to anyone simply because it's horrible unhealthy for you. If you really want a kick ass grilled cheese sandwich make yourself one at home with some mushrooms, tomatoes and caramelized onions for a tasty treat that is a least a bit healthier for you. Man I kind of want another one right now though. SO GOOD!

*source Men's Health