Can Rebel Cheese Sandwiches Be Customized?

Yes, Rebel Cheese offers sandwich customization through their “Build Your Own Melt” option and ingredient substitutions. Customers start with a base grilled cheese and add toppings like vegan ham, tomatoes, and pesto, with gluten-free bread available upon request.

The Build Your Own Melt System

Rebel Cheese’s primary customization offering centers on their melt sandwiches. The foundation begins with mozzarella and creamy cheddar on grilled rustic sourdough, creating what the Austin bistro calls their signature base. From there, customers select add-ons to build their ideal sandwich.

Available add-ons include plant-based ham, fresh tomatoes, house-made pesto, pickled jalapeños, avocado, caramelized onions, and various other vegetables. Each addition modifies both flavor profile and texture. The kitchen prepares these melts to order, grilling them until the cheese reaches the proper melt consistency and the bread develops its characteristic crisp exterior.

For those with gluten sensitivities, the restaurant offers gluten-free bread as a substitution, though this option isn’t available for every menu item. The gluten-free version maintains structural integrity under the weight of toppings and melted cheese, avoiding the sogginess that plagues some alternative breads.

Veganizing Signature Sandwiches

Beyond the Build Your Own option, Rebel Cheese allows modifications to their preset menu items. Several sandwiches can be adjusted to accommodate different dietary preferences or taste requirements.

The kitchen uses plant-based alternatives throughout their menu, but certain items originally designed with specific ingredients can be further customized. For instance, customers can request ingredient swaps on sandwiches like their breakfast offerings, substituting different cheese varieties or adjusting sauce levels.

This flexibility extends to their brunch menu as well. The Meatless Miracle, typically served with meatless sausage and cheddar on a buttermilk biscuit, can be modified with different cheese selections from their extensive deli case. The bistro stocks over fifteen varieties of house-made vegan cheeses, ranging from soft bries to aged cheddars, providing substantial options for substitution.

Choosing Your Cheese

The cheese selection represents perhaps the most significant customization opportunity at Rebel Cheese. Their deli case contains multiple categories of plant-based cheeses, each with distinct characteristics.

Soft Cheeses: Dill Havarti, Mozzarella, Fresh Blue, and various Brie options including Truffle Brie. These melt smoothly and provide creamy texture. Note that soft cheeses may lose structure in hot weather or extended transport.

Fromages: Tomato Herb, Garlic Herb, and Strawberry Basil varieties. These spreadable options work well on sandwiches requiring a base layer or as a condiment replacement.

Chèvres: Including Ash, Blueberry Vanilla, Honee Pistachio, Spanish Paprika, and Truffle varieties. These tangy, goat-cheese-style options add complexity to flavor profiles.

Firm Cheeses: Gruyere, Parmesan, and Pepper Jack. These aged cheeses provide sharper flavors and hold up better when grilled or toasted.

When customizing sandwiches, the choice of cheese dramatically alters the final product. A melt built with sharp Gruyere delivers a completely different experience than one made with mild mozzarella, even when using identical toppings. The kitchen staff can provide guidance on which cheeses pair best with specific add-ons.

Side Dish Options

Every sandwich order at Rebel Cheese includes a choice of side dish, adding another layer of customization to the meal. Three primary options rotate based on availability and season.

The French carrot salad features shredded carrots in a light vinaigrette, providing a crisp, refreshing contrast to warm sandwiches. The pesto pasta salad incorporates house-made kale pesto with pasta and vegetables, offering a more substantial accompaniment. Potato salad rounds out the options with a creamy, traditional preparation.

Additionally, sandwiches come with a pickle spear, though customers can request this be omitted if preferred. The sides themselves don’t typically allow for further customization, as they’re prepared in batches throughout the day.

Limitations and Practical Considerations

While Rebel Cheese offers customization, certain constraints exist. Not every sandwich on the menu can be modified to the same degree. Some items rely on specific ingredient combinations that don’t adapt well to substitutions.

The kitchen operates within the framework of what’s practical during service hours. Complex modifications during peak lunch periods may take longer to prepare. Similarly, requesting ingredients not currently stocked in the kitchen won’t be possible, as the restaurant doesn’t maintain every potential topping on hand at all times.

Pricing for customizations follows a straightforward model. The Build Your Own Melt starts at a base price, with each add-on increasing the total cost incrementally. Cheese substitutions within the same category typically don’t incur additional charges, but upgrading to premium ingredients may adjust the final price.

Cross-contamination presents minimal concern given the entirely plant-based kitchen, but the gluten-free bread option doesn’t guarantee zero cross-contact for those with severe celiac disease. The restaurant uses shared equipment and preparation surfaces.

Ordering Process

Customization requests can be placed both in-person at the Austin bistro location and through third-party delivery platforms, though the level of detail available may vary by ordering method.

In-person ordering provides the most flexibility. Staff can walk customers through available options, suggest pairings, and clarify what modifications work best for specific menu items. The open kitchen layout allows for direct communication about preparation preferences.

Online ordering through platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Toast offers a more limited but still functional customization interface. The Build Your Own Melt appears as a standard menu item where customers select add-ons from dropdown menus. Special requests can be added in the notes field, though complex modifications may not translate perfectly through these third-party systems.

For catering orders, the restaurant requests at least two business days advance notice. Large-scale customization for events requires direct communication with the catering team via email, as the standard online systems don’t accommodate detailed group modifications efficiently.

Comparing to Other Vegan Sandwich Shops

Rebel Cheese’s customization approach sits in the middle range compared to other plant-based restaurants. Chains like Ike’s Sandwiches offer more extensive build-your-own systems with dozens of topping choices and the ability to veganize any menu item. Ike’s maintains a comprehensive modification infrastructure that Rebel Cheese, as a smaller bistro operation, doesn’t match in scope.

On the other end, many artisan vegan sandwich shops offer minimal customization, presenting chef-designed menu items that don’t accommodate changes. These establishments prioritize their specific flavor combinations over customer modifications.

Rebel Cheese splits the difference by maintaining signature sandwiches with tested flavor profiles while still permitting reasonable adjustments. The Build Your Own Melt serves customers wanting full control, while the preset menu satisfies those preferring curated options.

The restaurant’s strength lies in their house-made cheese variety rather than topping diversity. Where Subway-style shops might offer twenty vegetable toppings but only one or two cheese options, Rebel Cheese inverts this model, providing extensive cheese selection with a more focused range of other ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I substitute ingredients in any sandwich on the menu?

Most sandwiches allow for reasonable substitutions, particularly cheese swaps within the same category. However, some menu items rely on specific ingredient combinations that don’t adapt well to major changes. The Build Your Own Melt offers the most flexibility for customers wanting extensive control over their sandwich.

Does customization cost extra?

The Build Your Own Melt operates on a base price plus individual add-on charges. Cheese substitutions within the same tier typically don’t incur additional fees, but premium ingredients or extra toppings increase the total cost. Staff can provide specific pricing when ordering in person.

Is gluten-free bread available for all sandwiches?

Gluten-free bread is available as a substitution for most sandwiches, though not every menu item accommodates this option. The restaurant notes that while they offer gluten-free alternatives, they don’t guarantee zero cross-contamination due to shared kitchen equipment. Those with severe gluten allergies should discuss their specific needs with staff.

Can I order custom sandwiches through delivery apps?

Yes, the Build Your Own Melt appears on delivery platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats with dropdown menus for selecting add-ons. More complex modifications can be requested in the special instructions field, though in-person ordering provides clearer communication for detailed customization requests.

The customization options at Rebel Cheese reflect their identity as an artisan cheese-focused bistro rather than a fast-casual build-your-own concept. The emphasis on house-made cheese varieties provides the primary avenue for personalization, supplemented by reasonable ingredient modifications and the Build Your Own Melt platform for those wanting more control.