Side by side comparison of what a good grilled cheese looks like, versus cheese on bread. Photo courtesy of senior Kai Passanisi.

  Two slices of lightly toasted bread and a combination of Cheddar and Swiss cheese are all that’s needed for a fulfilling meal, however, is this delicacy being celebrated at San Luis Obispo High School? No, it’s not.

  The lesser version of it is being praised instead.

  National Cheese Toast Day is here; this “holiday” happens annually on September 15. Founded by agent Del Johnson and his food chain Sizzler USA in 2015, this sadder version of the delectable grilled cheese sandwich has somehow managed to take the world by storm.

  Johnson originally used egg, bread, and a parmesan cheese mixture for his hit snack but since then, it has changed and has worked its way out of Culver City, California, and into the hearts of countries like Japan, China, and Thailand.

  Now, cheese toast may have a deep-rooted history and be well-liked in certain parts of California, but it certainly isn’t liked here.

  “I think that it’s preposterous because [do] you want cheesy hands? No, thank you. Come on, it’s a grilled cheese sandwich for a reason. [Grilled cheese] is a really important part of our history. It’s cheesy and grilled, straight up,” said junior Jen Cross.

  Cheese toast is certainly a little controversial; why have a boring piece of bread with a little cheese on top when there can be cheese in between two slices? Having an extra slice of bread calls for the sandwich to have an amazing cheese pull.

  “I think that’s a really messed up idea. The cheese should go inside the bread where it belongs,” said senior Alma Tinoco.

  Of course, there are going to be people who don’t mind the phenomenon of having cheese on one slice of bread.

  “I think that it can go either way, [there’s] no difference,” said freshman culinary student Riley Holden.

  Though there are a lot of ways to diss this food item, this isn’t a time for degradation, but for celebration. Maybe all types of grilled cheese should be commemorated.

  So, Tigers, be sure to make a slice of cheese toast… with a grilled cheese on the side.

Sources: sizzler.com, daysofthe year.com