The Best Diner Tina Tuna Melt Recipe

Open tuna cans and drain out oil and water as best you can, smooshing the top of the can onto the tuna meat in order to release as much liquid as possible. We're going for dry, flaky tuna here, people!
Preheat a large pan or griddle over medium heat.
In a small bowl, mix together tuna, mayo, 1 Tbsp pickle juice, and minced sweet pickles. Salt and pepper to taste. Judge for yourself if you want more pickle juice or not. I love the shit, and my mom always made it this way, so I do 2.
Shmear 1 side of each bread slice with mayo. Now, the rest of the steps go as if you were making a grilled cheese sandwich.
On the non-mayo side of 2 of the bread slices, divy up your tina tuna salad equally among them.
Slap your American cheese onto the tuna salad, followed by any addition toppings you want to use, minus lettuce (I'd gently pull apart the finished sandwich and add the crisp lettuce just before serving).
Place remaining 2 slices of bread on top. Mayo should be on the outside of the sandwiches.
Place your sammies on the hot pan or griddle and watch carefully. When a gorgeous golden brown crust has occurred, flip over and repeat!
ORDER UP!!! Serve with chips or fries, and a dill pickle, and enjoy one of my most favoritest diner classics!

Ingredients