Photo courtesy of J. Black's Feel Good Lounge

Tillamook Grilled Cheese Week kicks off in Austin during National Grilled Cheese Month on Saturday, April 7^th.  For one week, six of Austin’s favorite local restaurants have created a unique grilled cheese featuring Tillamook natural cheese slices to honor the sandwich so beloved it has its own month.  Don’t miss out on the cheesy celebration!

Check out what our partner restaurants are grilling up!

Noble Pig Sandwiches
With Eater Austin calling it a “cult favorite” and Chefs John Bates and Brandon Martinez boasting the Best Sandwich in Austin, this is a must stop on your grilled cheese crawl.
Special: Pimento Grilled Cheese made with Tillamook Sharp Cheddar, sweet red peppers, pickled jalapeno and crispy bacon ($8)

Max’s Wine Dive
Known for “gourmet comfort food” it’s no wonder Executive Chef Erica Beneke’s grilled cheese is one of the most sought-after in Austin.
Special: Smoked Duck and Tillamook Sharp Cheddar Grilled Cheese with Caramelized Onions and Watercress ($14)

Austin Daily Press
This popular food truck is so good it was featured on The Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race in 2010. Stay up late for a gooey midnight snack.
Special: Black Forest Ham Grilled Cheese made with a blend of Tillamook Sharp Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses served with Spicy Ranch ($6)

J.Black’s Feel Good Lounge
Chef Josie Paredes combines her experience and passion for exceptional food to create a delicious, upscale grilled cheese that will leave you feeling very, very good.
Special: Open-Faced Grilled Cheese BAT with Tillamook Sharp Cheddar and Monterey Jack, Niman Ranch Bacon, Local Texas Tomatoes, Arugula, and Lemon Aioli ($8)

FoodHeads
This local hotspot with fresh, handmade ingredients is known for having some of the best sandwiches in Austin and is grilling up three Tillamook specials for Grilled Cheese Week.
Special 1: Grilled Tillamook Monterey Jack with turkey, jalapenos, cracked black pepper, house slaw & honey Dijon on nine grain ($7.95)
Special 2: Grilled Tillamook Sharp Cheddar & Pepper Jack cheeses with a fried egg, arugula, bread-n-butter pickles, cracked black pepper and truffle oil on sourdough ($6.95)
Special 3: Grilled Tillamook Sharp Cheddar with bacon, apple pico and chipotle mayonnaise ($7.95)

Hopdoddy Burger Bar
Burger lovers, join Tillamook in the celebration of Grilled Cheese Week because this one is for you. Austin’s favorite burger bar is taking on the grilled cheese with a burger so cheesy it rivals any bread and butter grilled cheese.
Special: The I Love Lucy Burger – Hopdoddy’s version of a JuicyLucy – Angus Beef stuffed with Tillamook Sharp Cheddar. ($8)

The Loaf Love Tour will be rolling around Austin from March 30th to April 18. See the full schedule of stops here.

Photo courtesy of Max's Wine Dive

By Loafy

As a new Tillamook brand ambassador I have read and heard stories about the wonderful Day of Loaf. After a week and a of the tour we, experienced what this day means as we kicked off Phoenix Taco Week. Arizona’s Day of Loaf consisted of an entire day dedicated to driving our amazing little orange VW buses (the Yums) and eating specialty Tillamook tacos at four partner restaurants. The Yums always draw a crowd. Everywhere we went people asked questions and gave compliments: stop lights, gas stations, stores, and even while in motion down road. One lady jumped out of her car at a stop light to give us a business card. Two people pulled up next to us and waved out the window, showing their Tillamook coupon booklet they had received when they met us just days before! I definitely felt like a cheesy rock star! After all, what’s not to love about driving around in 75 degree weather in a bright orange Tillamook bus with the top down?

All this driving led us to some delicious tacos. The first stop was Carte Blanche Gourmet Tacos. We tried a grilled tilapia lime slaw taco with Tillamook Pepper Jack grated on top! Next we went to Fuego Tacos and ate another delicious taco! Our waitress was so fun. She even pinned a Tillamook button in the braid in her hair and Tillamook stickers on her face! (check her out in the pic below!) On our way to Vitamin T we crossed paths with a motorcycle parade (Lucky us! We felt like we were part of the festivities celebrating Arizona’s Centennial!).  Lastly, we made room for one more taco at Ticoz Resto-Bar on their soothing patio alongside an amazing fire pit! Delicious!

The Day of Loaf proved to be a very exciting and FULLfilling day. I don’t think I can count a favorite among my many tacos, but if you’re in Phoenix I hope you get out to try these amazing places! If you’re not here in Phoenix, what’s your favorite taco recipe using Tillamook products?

Hope to see you on the road!

Until next time,

~ Ashley, Loaf Love Tour Brand Ambassador. Follow me on Twitter @TillatasticAsh!

By Ashley

Some of our Phoenix Zoo fans saying "cheese!" with Loafy.

As a Tillamook Brand Ambassador, there isn’t a day I look forward to more than our kick-off events. Today was a special treat. Not only was it our kick off event for our stay in sunny Phoenix, it marked the beginning of Tillamook’s 2012 Loaf Love Tour!

Every time we enter a new area we enjoy finding a great place to visit with our current Tillamook fans, as well as introduce our cheesy goodness to Tillamook fans of the future. This year we were excited to motor the Baby Loaf Buses back to the Phoenix Zoo! We came bearing fun including happy sticks, buttons, coupons, Zoo bingo, and of course tons of our most popular award-winning cheese. Just in case all that wasn’t enough to have you racing down to see us (but did I really have to say any more than FREE Tillamook cheese?!) we threw in free admission to the first 100 people wearing their most vibrant Tillamook orange. Suffice it to say, it was an exciting day!

While I started off my busy morning waking up at an hour I was sure preceded even the most active zoo animals, I still couldn’t out do the dedication of some of our orange clad Tillamook fans. They arrived an hour and a half before the gates even opened! No matter where we go, people LOVE Tillamook. Just the day before, I met a Mom and her daughter at a Mesa WalMart store. When I arrived at the zoo the next day they greeted me first thing with a big “hello” in their bright orange shirts! All day long I heard fond memories of Cheese Factory visits, saw kids sharing hugs with Loafy, and I got to see the pure enjoyment someone has when trying our cheese for the very first time. Did you know Phoenix fans really prefer the World’s Best Medium Cheddar? We nearly ran out!

After today, I can’t wait to see what the rest of the 2012 Loaf Love Tour has in store for our team. You can click here to see where we’re headed. See you on the road!

Cheddar Coy
Follow me on Twitter: @cheddarcoy

By Coy

No less than 42 days ago was I on a job hunt as a fresh college graduate. Today, I pack up my suitcases once again for a full nine months on the road. Though I’ve been agonizing for days over how many pairs of jeans to bring and which shoes to leave behind, there’s one thing that I know I’ll never be short on: cheese. Over the next nine months I’ll be traveling city to city on the Loaf Love Tour. With many of my favorite meals consisting largely of Tillamook Cheese and bread (pizza, grilled cheese sandwiches, quesadillas, and so much more!) I’m certainly not worried about a lack of food on the road. What’s really got me worried is how in the world I’m going to fit nine months worth of outfits into two suitcases. Since I sadly must leave behind my trusty four-legged friends, I’ll at least be bringing along my six-stringed pal, otherwise known as my guitar. Factoring this extra piece of luggage into the complicated equation of “how many things can I carry in one armload,” I’m now limited to just one big suitcase and one big backpack. Trust me! It’s harder than it sounds.

Packing anxiety aside, I can’t wait to get on the road. I’ve never been in a car for longer than six hours straight, and rumor has it our longest drive is a good 23 hours. In anticipation of becoming very restless very quickly, I’ve compiled a mental list of things to do (other than playing ‘the license plate game’ and ‘I spy’).  The list includes knitting, which I haven’t done in years, reading—first on the list is Girl With the Dragon Tattoo—Mad Libs, to keep the car in good spirits, and sleeping, because maybe I’ll dream up more activities.

I’ve had a chance to meet the entire team and I couldn’t be more excited about the life-long friends that come as a bonus with this job. I’m sure you’ll be reading all about our adventures over the next 9 months so stay tuned because the only people that just might love Tillamook as much as I do are Coy, Drew, Jason, Noelle, Ashley and Susan!

Tillamook Brand Ambassadors Maya and Noelle in a Baby Loaf Bus

As I’m getting ready to zip my suitcase closed—with no boots inside and only one pair of heels—my Loaf Love adventure finally starts to seem like a reality.  If I was excited about landing the job a couple of weeks ago, now I’m really excited. Time to start getting my beloved Tillamook Cheese into the rest of the country’s mouths.

Until our next stop,
TillaMaya

By Maya

Holy Loaf Love Tour Loafy! Another year of spreading the joy of Tillamook Cheese and driving around the US is almost upon us! The tour starts on February 3rd, and if you’re familiar with it, you might notice a few changes this year – making it even more fun and memorable (if that’s possible!).

Our set-up, at events like the Phoenix Zoo (more info on that to come soon!), will make it easier for us to talk to more of you as you visit. When possible, we’ll add a new cheese to our tasting menu – Pepper Jack! Look out for a new, VERY cool, iPad app that will allow you to take your picture at the LLT, send it directly to your Facebook page and share your experience with all of your friends right away! Want to take something home – we gotcha covered! Along with buttons that are similar to last year, we have some pretty great new stuff to hand out. From happy sticks (you’ll just have to see them to understand), to coloring booklets, to recipe cards — there will be something for everyone at the LLT!

Last, but certainly not least, the LLT will be coming to more places than ever! We’ll be saying “Howdy!” to six new cities in Texas: Lubbock, Dallas, Austin, Tyler, San Antonio and Houston with all 5 buses, more Brand Ambassadors and even more cheese! Because we love our loyal fans in the Northwest too, two of our buses will be cruising through Seattle, Portland, Boise and Spokane – spreading the home town Loaf Love!

For information on where the tour will be heading this year, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LoafLoveTour.com! We can’t wait to see you at a grocery store near you!

~ Matt of the Tillamook Team

By Matt

The Loaf Loaf Tour having a lot of fun during Sandwich Week in Los Angeles earlier this year.

We are so excited to be in Denver! Meeting long-time Tillamook fans and making new ones is what the Loaf Love Tour is all about. We still get giddy when someone tastes Tillamook Cheese for the first time. But Sandwich Week takes tasting Tillamook Cheese to a whole new level. To help showcase the flavors, textures and pure fun of Tillamook Cheese, our Loaf Love Tour has partnered with six notable Denver area restaurants. Each restaurant is offering a specialty sandwich featuring award-winning Tillamook Cheese. So grab a map, GPS, smart phone, or personal tour guide and embark on a sandwich adventure!

Participating restaurants:

Denver Biscuit Bus
You can find the Denver Biscuit Bus at these locations during Sandwich Week:

• Tuesday, September 27: Civic Center Eats, 11am-2pm
• Wednesday, September 28: Cherry Creek Farmers Market, 9am-1pm
• Thursday, September 29: Civic Center Eats, 11am-2pm
• Saturday, October 1: Cherry Creek Farmers Market, 8am-1pm; Justice League of Street Food, 5-10pm
• Sunday, October 2: Stapleton Farmers Market, 9am-1pm

Tillamook Sandwich Week Special: The Chicken Cordon Bleuski – Cajun fried chicken, Niman Ranch ham, Tillamook Sharp Cheddar Cheese, local apiary honey butter, all served on one of a gourmet, made from scratch, buttermilk biscuit. ($9) Available during normal business hours.
Twitter: @DenverBiscuitCo
Denver Biscuit Bus on Facebook

Rackhouse Pub
208 S Kalamath
Denver, CO 80223
801.466.6378
Tillamook Sandwich Week Special: Tasso Ham Chedder Melt (lunch) – Tasso Ham, Tillamook Medium Cheddar, heirloom tomato; Whiskey Chili Jack Burger – Whiskey chili, Tillamook Pepper Jack Cheese, cracked egg. Served with a side and non-alcoholic beverage. ($10)
Twitter: @RackhousePub
Rackhouse Pub on Facebook

Rise & Shine Biscuit Kitchen & Cafe
Highlands Location
3930 West 32nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80212
303.477.5400
Crestmoor Location
330 Holly Street
Denver, CO 80220
303.322.5832
Tillamook Sandwich Week Special: The Raleigh – Roast beef, Tillamook Sharp Cheddar, and horseradish mayo on a homemade Southern biscuit. ($4) Also featured, a Biscuit of the Day featuring Tillamook Cheese. Follow Rise & Shine on Twitter each day to find out what the special biscuit will be. Both available during normal business hours: 7am-1pm Monday-Saturday, 8am-1pm Sunday, both locations.
Twitter: @RiseandShineDen
Rise & Shine Biscuit Kitchen Cafe on Facebook

Masterpiece Delicatessen
1575 Central Street
Denver, CO 80211
303.561.3354
Tillamook Sandwich Week Special: Masterpiece Tillamook Grilled Cheese - Tillamook Sharp Cheddar, Tillamook Pepper Jack, Denver Bacon Company Thick Cut Bacon, smoked turkey, marinated tomato and baby arugula on butter/olive oil toasted artisan white bread. Served with side of house made pasta salad or coleslaw, bag of chips or piece of fruit. ($9.75)
Twitter: @MasterpieceDeli
Masterpiece Delicatessen on Facebook

Hutch and Spoon
3090 Larimer Street
Denver, CO 80205
303.296.2317
Tillamook Sandwich Week Special: Meatloaf & Cheddar (lunch only) – Housemade meatloaf sliced with Tillamook Sharp Cheddar and grilled on sourdough with homemade mayonnaise ($7.50). Also, Sausage & Cheddar (breakfast sized portion but available all day) – Locally made Polidori sausage with mayonnaise and Tillamook Sharp Cheddar grilled on whole wheat bread. ($4)
Twitter: @hutchandspoon
Hutch and Spoon on Facebook

Rooster & Moon Coffee Pub
955 Bannock Street, Suite 100
Denver, CO 80204
303.993.2622
Tillamook Sandwich Week Special: The Chutney Larouche (available 10:30am-close) – Melted Tillamook Sharp Cheddar, warm Virginia ham, grilled Red Delicious apple slices and cold dried cranberry-horseradish chutney on toasted deli style Pullman wheat bread. ($8)
Twitter: @RoosterandMoon
Rooster & Moon on Facebook

GROWE Foundation Event (Boulder)
To celebrate the last day of Tillamook Sandwich Week, Chef Hosea Rosenberg will be hosting an educational “Kids Grilled Cheese Workshop” featuring Tillamook Cheese at the GROWE Foundation’s event at The Isabelle Farm Family Day in Boulder on Saturday, October 1st from 3:00–7:00pm. Bring the whole family out to the farm for fabulous food by Boulder’s top chefs, fun kid activities, farm tours and more. For more information, or to purchase tickets, please visit www.Growefoundation.org.

By Scott

Hey all you Tillamook fans in Salt Lake City! We’ll be cruising around your city tomorrow, Friday, August 19th on the Loaf Love Tour. You know those cute orange buses? Well, your family could win a ride in one at the Peach Days festival. That’s awesome, right?!

How to enter:

- Follow us on Twitter and watch for the #LoafLove hash tag on Friday, September 19 to find the location of our 3 Baby Loaf buses.

- Or, watch Facebook for the buses’ locations.

- Come snap a picture of all 3 buses together.

- Tweet your best shots with hash tag #LoafLove.

- Or post them on our Facebook wall.

The best photo will be your ticket to 5 seats in the Loaf Love Buses as they drive along in the Peach Days Parade!

We’ll announce the winning photo on Facebook and Twitter at 5pm on Friday, September 19. For more info, you can read the Contest Rules.

P.S. Don’t forget to visit us on Saturday at the Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point! We’re giving away free admission to the museum for the first 100 people to show dressed in Tillamook orange.

*The winning family of 5 will join the Loaf Love Tour in the Brigham City Peach Days Parade on Saturday, September 10th. Cruise along Main Street in the Baby Loaf Buses and be part of this city-wide event that attracts thousands of Utah-ians. Started in 1904, Peach Days is an honored tradition that Tillamook is proud to be part of. For more information on Peach Days please visit www.peachdays.org.

By Tillamook

The "Wall of Loaf"

Last month, there was a fire at the Cheese Factory. Luckily, it was quickly contained and no one was hurt (and the cheese survived, too!). We’re grateful for people’s concern and kind words of support. We received many, many comments (and Smoked Cheddar jokes!) about the fire through email, phone calls, our Facebook page, and Twitter.

Due to the fire, the Cheese Factory was closed to the public for a few days. It’s now open — every part except for the Farmhouse Cafe. While the Farmhouse Cafe is being repaired, we put up a temporary construction wall to block it off. We thought the wall looked a little sad and boring, so we asked visitors to sign the wall and to write their messages of “Loaf Love.” Their words and drawings add so much cheer to the place! Thanks to those who took the time to visit us and write a message!

Visitor comments and drawings

If everything stays on track, the Farmhouse Cafe should re-open in March. Hope to see you at the factory soon!

True Loaf Love!

By Loafy

The Tillamook Cheese Factory – the cheesiest place in the whole wide world! I always find smiling faces and hearts full of Loaf Love whenever I’m there.

By Loafy