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Melt Bar and Grilled
Categories: Restaurants American (Traditional) Nightlife Bars Pubs American (Traditional), Pubs [Edit]
14718 Detroit AveLakewood, OH 44107
(216) 226-3699
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 2 am
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Tue, Wed
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Hipster
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
296 reviews for Melt Bar and Grilled
Review Highlights
"I highly recommend this place if you're in Cleveland."
(in 88 reviews)
"I ordered the Westside Monte Cristo."
(in 13 reviews)
"I had the big popper, if you like spicy food its great."
(in 18 reviews)
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296 reviews in English
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Review from Adrienne L.
Erie, PA
1/27/2012
This place surprised me in the best way, and now I can't stop raving about it!
I had of course seen the tv spots done on food network, and figured it would be worth visiting the next time I was in Cleveland. I even endured a 45 minute wait for a table (something I don't generally do, I'm rather impatient). It was one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time!
The atmosphere is relaxed and rather artsy, and the service was quick and accommodating. My only difficulty was trying to figure out what to order. I finally weighed my options and got the Godfather (freaking lasagna on a grilled cheese!) and the soup. Both were amazing!
Since my first visit, I waited a week and a half and made the two-hour drive for the sole purpose of visiting this restaurant. Second time around I got the Big Popper, and went to heaven in a melty cream cheese daze. And the roasted garlic tomato soup will definitely be getting ordered again!
Each time I was floored by how low the bill was, in a GOOD way. How could such tremendous food be so cheap, and there was enough there that I got two meals out of it each time!
I was not disappointed at all, and I'm currently in the process of converting as many Erie-ites as possible. -
Review from K. H.
Willoughby, OH
2/7/2012
I really like Melt. I am not originally from this area so finding it was a very pleasant surprise. I love the upbeat, spunky atmosphere and the menus on the back of the record covers.
The food at Melt has been hit or miss for me. It's good, but not AMAZINGLY good, you know? The peanut butter and banana has been my favorite so far. It really was superb and tasty. I will probably get it again. My least favorite was the buffalo chicken sandwich (they had it for a limited time a few months ago) because it was suuuuper spicy and I felt sick after I ate it. I actually gave the other half away to a friend (because I figured I just had a weak stomach that couldn't handle the spice or something... and he really liked spicy stuff) and he actually got sick the next day when he ate it!
The wait is really nuts. And maybe it's me, but when I went to the Melt in Lakewood it felt like it closed pretty early for a Saturday night -- for a bar.
So for me, it's kind of a toss up, but I have thoroughly enjoyed some of the sandwiches and I know I'll continue to go back to work my way down the menu. It really is somewhat of a Cleveland icon, at least restaurant-speaking. So if you're on the fence, I would say go for it as long as you don't mind the wait. It is quite a fun dining experience.
[I'm giving it a 3 instead of a 4 because of getting sick from that one sandwich. I can't, in good conscience, give a 4 to a restaurant that has made me sick. Plus, the wait is pretty bad.] -
Review from Justin V.
Updated - 2/3/2012
Over the last few years, this place has gone from my favorite spot, hands-down, in town to the joint I take out-of-town visitors, who typically love the place, even as I silently wince.
Don't get me wrong - the food is as good and plates as heaping and new dishes as innovative as ever before. And as the two new locations have opened, there seems to be shorter waits and more elbow room than used to be the case. (Does anyone remember when the original location still hadn't expanded beyond its one room? That was a sacrifice!)
My main quibble is mostly aesthetic - what seemed to initially be an uber-Cleveland celebration of rock music and sports heritage now increasingly seems like a smaller version of Applebees (with bigger and better sandwiches). That is, same decor, same artificial culture, same waitstaff cobbled out of surplus underemployed tattooed hipsters.
I guess I don't feel like I'm making a statement along with getting a good meal anymore, and maybe I shouldn't be. But when I see Melt humvees on the road and hundreds of people sporting grilled cheese tattoos, I start to wonder what the difference between it and larger-scale operations really is.
At least they still employ local poster whiz John G to make their ads and promos. That dude is awesome.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/3/2008
Cool place. I dig the wooden floors, painted tin ceiliing, brick walls and long awesome bar. I… Read more »
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Review from Nathasja T.
Plymouth, MI
1/24/2012
My first initial instinct was to indeed jump on the love bandwagon, as the food is just so original and well executed. But then I remembered some of the things I disliked about this place. Things that for me were enough of an issue to go from Yay! Im a fan to A-OK.
On a cold winter night, my man and I were feeling like some good, solid grub. During my LBY (Life Before Yelp) I would often visit out of town places with the help of the always charming Mr Guy Fierri and his Triple D. Cue Melt.
What I did not expect however (again, at this point I am clueless of the most awesome website evah) was having to wait over an hour for a spot at the bar. Holy Grumbling Tummy!
We ordered pierogies and a reuben to split. The menu holds a ginormous amount of original and funky melted sandwiches. The word "grilled cheese" do not do them justice. Unfortunately for us, our waiter was a very good example of poor waitmanship. Unless of course, the term waiter refers to keeping your customers waiting. In that case, he would be the posterchild for this job.
Though the food was good, I will most likely not return simply due to the long wait times. Dont get me wrong, I am fine with long wait times, as long as I see instant sparkles and silver unicorns appear when I take a bite out of something. At melt I got confetti and ponies. Though cute, they just dont come close. I think sometimes a restaurants popularity can become its own Achilles heel. -
Review from Scott J.
Cleveland, OH
1/18/2012
I think Melt has gotten a little too big for it's britches.
I used to be a fan, as someone who visits Lakewood quite often and would dine here on the regular. Lately, the 2 hour wait (TWO HOURS??!?!?!) and the hapless wait staff has soured me to an otherwise fine restaurant.
The food is fine, about what you'd expect and the beer selection is solid... but I think this place may have jumped the shark. As an early adopter, I will be the first to tell you I'm an early depart-er.
Sorry Melt, you lost me. Now if I can find someone to get this tattoo removed... -
Review from Dan G.
Troy, MI
2/6/2012
Let me start by saying "Cleveland Rocks!" (Explanation Below)
**Warning** be prepared to wait! (Over 1 1/2 hours for us) So as we walk in for lunch in mid-December this place was packed! When we inquired with the too cool for school chick at the desk, we were told it would be a 2 hr wait (and that was just for take-out). The three of us ordered the Monte Cristo, which was easily the best I have ever had but gets a 4-star review for the overabundance of bread.
Oh and the explanation of Cleveland Rocks! is as follows:
With MELT overly packed and unable to find a seat at the bar or anywhere without bumping into someone, we decide to walk down the street to find a less densely packed pub. As soon as we hit 2 blocks west, I see to the side of us that there is a crack deal going down so very literally we saw Cleveland Rocks. Pretty frickin cool!
Tip: Avoid going anywhere but directly to MELT -
Review from Russa w.
1/17/2012 3 Check-ins Here
I love Melt. I have loved and supported this place since they first opened, its a fun, energetic inviting place! which when there is a white is well worth waiting for!
The sandwiches are huge and delicious, one of my personal favorite is the Summer Chicken (grilled chicken, harvarti, tomato and lettuce) but I also LOVE most of the monthly specials!
Every month Melt has a Monthly Sandwich, none of them have ever let me down! Their soups are also superb! and the beer list is one of the best in the city!
Some sandwiches are vegetarian and some can be made vegan, everything is clearly marked on the menu, which is an 'up cycled' album cover
Sandwiches run between 7 and 13 dollars which is an awesome value for good quality food, and each sandwich comes with a large portion of carnival fries and homemade slaw
Sometimes there is a wait, but really...its worth it, its a fun place to wait at, talk to the staff grab a beer watch some b-film on the tvs...have a good time and stop living in such a rushed life
sidebar:
I think the Melt Tattoo Family is one of the best promotions I have ever seen! its a cute and its Cleveland! its being a part of something thats supportive and fun and innocent, its a fun promotion! Tattoos are kinda silly, regardless of what they are, I mean, honestly a grilled cheese sandwich is the worse tattoo you have ever seen? I highly doubt it. I am #34 and to this day I do not regret mine (wish I could say about other tattoos I have), -
Review from Brett N.
Tampa, FL
1/13/2012 1 photo
Why 5 stars? Because I had never even heard of a Monte Cristo before Melt, but it was the best sandwich I've ever had.
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I am now enlightened to the greatness that is Melt and the greatness that is a Monte Cristo. We ordered the Parmageddon as well, which was very good...but the Monte Cristo was a game changer.
I heard that the wait at Melt could be up to two hours, and in our case, it was a good thing.
My friends and I were visiting Cleveland and spending the day at Cedar Point. We left when the park closed at 10:00, and Melt's kitchen was open until 11 that night. I called Melt with a pickup order as we were walking to the car at about 10:15. I had to lie to them and say that we would be there in about 30-45 minutes. They said it would be no problem.
Fortunately I think Melt was too busy to care that I wasn't on time. I called them when we were only about halfway to Lakewood and it was already a few minutes past 11. They said that it wasn't going to be a problem and that our food would still be waiting whenever we arrived.
Around 11:30 the food was finally in our hands...but we still had to drive back to our hotel in downtown Cleveland to eat (long story.)
So it's about 12-12:15am by the time we are actually back at the hotel and eating our sandwiches. Our food has been ready to eat for at least an hour at this point. There's no way it's going to be worth all of this trouble, right?
Snap cut to me rolling around on the floor, rubbing my belly and grinning ear to ear.
It was one of those rare occurrences where you love every bite, but despise every bite because it means you are that much closer to having no bites left. It's also one of those rare occurrences where a two hour wait is well worth it. -
Review from Prakit D.
1/13/2012
It's a heaven for grilled cheese lovers and it's magical! Perhaps even more magical than any Apple products advertised. Cheesetacular selection and very generous portion. The sandwiches were cooked to perfection, fresh cut fries were devilishly delicious and coleslaw was wonderful. Service was terrific and beer selection was great. I'd recommend trying Big Popper, Gyro Melt, The Parmageddon, Northcoast Shores, El Diablo Burger.
The place gets pretty full quickly like rush hour in NYC subway so get there early! Otherwise your waiting could be somewhere from 1 hour to 2 hours. Overall, Melt is a great concept and is well executed. Yum, you will love the taste of melted cheese in your mouth. That sounds a bit dirty, eh? -
Review from Tim M.
Brook Park, OH
1/21/2012
We had to wait a while, which tells me it's popular. The staff was attentive. There was a late 20 year old with his pants down to the bottom of his ass. They should have bounced him, but no go. The food was big as expected. You will not go hungry. I had the Paprikash sandwich. All in all a good time. Big sandwiches with their own slaw. Not bad, I like the fact there was no Mayo.
I will go back. -
Review from Amanda C.
Lakewood, OH
1/25/2012
Whether you're visiting the Cleveland, Ohio area or your live around here, if you haven't already experienced Melt, GO THERE NOW! In fact, if you are for some reason reading this and aren't visiting Cleveland or planning a visit there, plan one just to go to this restaurant. It's that good.
First of all the atmosphere is great. The interior decor is really cool - eclectic and modern with just a little bit of weird. It's pretty small inside, which is why you often have to wait a while for a table (maybe even 2 hours if you go at a busy time but it's worth it). The bar is positioned in the back and is pretty large. If you're alone or with one other person I'd suggest trying to snag a seat at the bar. You're closer to all the great booze they have to offer and you don't have to wait an hour for a table. Plus the bartenders are really cool at this place. I could sit there and chat with them all day.
The menu (which is a recycled album cover) is ridiculously good. There's grilled cheese sandwiches on here that I would have never thought would exist or go well together, yet they just work. I suggest trying the Parmageddon, which is a grilled cheese with pierogi and sauerkraut... yum. My other favorites are the Mushroom Melt (like Heaven in your mouth) and the Big Popper which contains jalapenos, cream cheese and it comes with a mixed berry preserved dipped sauce which sounds weird but trust me it's really good. Needless to say there are plenty of grilled cheese concoctions to try and every once I'd tried so far has been even better than the last. P.S. don't you dare go to Melt and not order a grilled cheese or some kind, you've got to be crazy if you do that. Did I mention this place is super cheap at like around $10 a sandwich, plus you get a pile of fries and coleslaw too? Doesn't get any better than that...
The beer selection is awesome... theres a huge beer menu and many of them are on tap. Once I went to Melt over the holidays with a friend and we tried about 5 or 6 different holiday beers there alone. The menu has a pretty good description of what to expect from each beer but if you're still uncertain about trying something new, just ask your waiter or bartender and they'll give you a little sample. Which brings me to my next point...
The staff here is incredible. Everyone is super chill and cool and I feel like I'm hanging out with my friends every time I go there, even though they are all pretty much complete strangers. They are attentive and go above and beyond to make sure your experience is good while you're there.
The only bad thing about Melt is the wait for a table. Because this place is so darn good, everyone wants a piece. That means you could end up waiting 1-2 hours for a table if you go at peak hours. Even if you don't go at peak hours there's still usually some kind of wait. Don't even think about bringing a big group to this place, you'll never get seated. My suggestion to you would be to go with one or two other people and try to sit at the bar. You can order food from the bar and that way you don't have to wait and hour plus for a table. If you are set on getting a table, just grab a beer at the bar and sit on one of the open benches until it's ready. Trust me, it's worth the wait. -
Review from Christian M.
Drexel Hill, PA
1/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
I have only had Melt once during my trip to Cleveland last year.
It was awesome. The Menu is on the back of record sleeves! There are tons of drinks to choose from. The food is great. I ate with five others and they raved about their meals as well. I had The Dude Abides (Veggie). It came out in a timely manner. The sandwich was huge! I had no idea. My wife had the New Bomb Turkey (veg) and loved it. Our server was great. She was nice and knew what she was talking about.
If you decide to go, get there early or prepare to wait in a long line. I think it is worth it. -
Review from Steven S.
North Olmsted, OH
1/31/2012 1 Check-in Here
You really can't go wrong with Melt. Great food, great craft beer and soda menu and always friendly service. My personal favorites are the Tokyo Tuna and Parma, Italy. Everything on the menu is worth at least one try. Just be prepared for a wait no matter the day or time. Usually the wait is around and hour I will credit the staff on trying to keep things moving as quickly as possible without ever rushing any of the customers.
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Review from Brittany K.
Cincinnati, OH
12/30/2011
Seriously, a-fucking-mazing grilled cheese.
I've been here a few times even though its a drive from my Canton area home town. But it is totally worth it.
Its two rooms; both with table, one with a bar and the other has a waiting area and the front desk. Nice bathrooms are downstairs. the decor it pretty cool. I like the old, hard plastic, light up lawn decorations lining the walls.
I usually have to wait at least a half hour (once 2 hours) but my fella and I grab a beer, pop-a-squat, and chat with the other hungry wait-ers. It gives you plenty of time to narrow down all the delicious sammies you want to eat. Their menus are on the back of old record sleeves; cute.
I've had the Porky Cheese (ham, bacon, swiss) and The Godfather (lasagna on a grilled cheese), both great! My boy and I like to switch half of our sandwiches to try both kinds because its so hard to pick just one! Their cream of mushroom soup is a super tasty side, if you're into that kind of thing. The only thing I'm not fond of is their peppery coleslaw but you can switch out sides.
Try the mixed drink specials, they're usually creative and tasty.
We had dessert once, which I believe was a special; maybe something like a chocolate graham cracker cheesecake. I don't remember exactly what it was, I do remember it being terribly good.
The staff is fine, I haven't had a standout great or a terrible waiter there.
Go, wait, enjoy. -
Review from Rob P.
12/1/2011
Ah, the original Melt... the little bar that started it all is still as awesome as ever.
A couple of years ago I was telling a friend of mine that I needed a part-time job. He was a line cook at a now-failed restaurant, and said, "I cook with this guy Matt who's opening up a new bar in Lakewood - Melt. Maybe I could get you a job there." I said no thanks and it was too far from my house at the time. Who knew that this is what it would become.
Of the three locations, this is the smallest, has the fewest tables, the smallest bar, and the fewest beer taps. Of the three locations, this one feels the most like a true neighborhood watering hole.
The sandwiches are amazing, and if you think "what's so special about grilled cheese?" then you owe yourself a favor to at least try them out. I've tried with all my might to replicate these sandwiches at home. You can get the same bread and put the same ingredients inside, but it never turns out the same.
Listen, if you come to Melt, you're going to have to wait. If you can't handle it, Lakewood has plenty of other restaurants. If the wait is exceedingly long, I recommend the Root Cafe, about 2 blocks down the street. -
Review from Lauren S.
Lakewood, OH
1/23/2012
Hey, at 4-stars and 291 reviews, there's not much left to say, but for good measure, I just gotta say this place is so legit. The Monte Cristo + pear cider is my jam, and it's superb every time. If you go any time between 5:30 and close, expect a 30-minute wait. Late afternoon affords you the great food, plus no wait and more attentive service. All-around one of my favorite Lakewood restaurants.
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Review from Loresa N.
11/26/2011
I try to come here every time I come home for a visit. Mind you, there is always a wait though (yesterday it was 45 min to an hour). If you drink, chill out with friends over a lavender mojito or some of the yummy beers they have. I find that the wait does not seem as long when you are in good company
If your group is just two, scope out the bar as that area is first come first serve... Also the corner area midget be good for more people to eat and have a conversation.
The menus are on old records... so it's fun to see who you get. I had Bryan adams, the others in my party had Pat Benetar and Polka. The decor is made up of lots of old Ohio License plates, and decorations from most holidays that seem to stay up all year.
It's a chill and laid back place. The menu has many favourites like mine Parmagedon which consists of a grilled cheese and perogis. There are many catchy names, ad they always have a special sandwich. In december it is a mac and cheese grilled cheese. It is baked or fried mac and cheese within the sandwich. It was amazing!!!
Despite the long waits, I have always had enjoyable experiences except for that one time when I was hungover. However, that was of my doing, and the service that day was great as well. -
Review from bee l.
Cincinnati, OH
11/14/2011
I had the New Bomb Turkey which was truly the most amazing miracle of my recent restaurant life, except that sadly I have to report that the cranberry dipping sauce tasted more like a candle smells than any cranberry sauce I've ever enjoyed. The dressing and turkey and gravy and squash were delectable, and stood alone truly without the sauce. fries were delish.
my friends both truly enjoyed their meals, and our server was fantastic. our drinks stayed full, she was kind to the baby, quick with the bill & take-out boxes when we had to bolt because the baby had made it clear he was ready to go home.
two small complaints--nowhere in the restroom to change a diaper, also the volume of take-out business at 5pm on a busy friday made it clear that a huge reason we had to wait so long for a table, even early, is the large volume of take-out. maybe they were short staffed, who knows. -
Review from Beth M.
Chicago, IL
1/7/2012
Everything is amazing. The food. The staff. The vibe. The cocktails. Amazing. Due to this place being popular and famous.... there will be a wait. If you don't want to wait, go right when they open (I have been at least 3 times right when they open and got in right away or with a small wait and everything is still great) or go before close.
Please. Get the Grilled cheeses. This is what they are known for. My friend had a veggie burger and was disappointed. If you are vegetarian or vegan, many of their grilled cheese sandwiches can be made this way. Check out the menu!
Their seasonal cocktails are awesome. My favorites have been the pumpkin ones!
I have not had a bad sandwich. I have tried the Turkey Bomb (Seasonal), Macaroni Melt (Seasonal), Gyro Melt, Westside Monte Cristo, The Dude Abides, The Parmageddon, Big Popper and Grilled Peanut Butter and Banana. I have never been disappointed.
The sandwiches are HUGE! I always take half home and half the fries (everything has heated up great in my toaster oven -- and I am usually not a fan of left overs... let alone re-heated fries!)
Side note - their ranch dressing is soooo good!! -
Review from K. M.
Silver Spring, MD
1/3/2012
Went to Melt for the first time last week and was very impressed.
As others have mentioned, you will have to wait for a table. For us it was 2.5 hours on a Thursday evening at 6. Can't really knock a place for being busy. If that wait is excessive (which it is) go to another restaurant, but don't come on Yelp and start docking stars. That is like giving a movie a bad review because you couldn't find a parking spot.
The bar/restaurant is very kitschy with old, gaudy decorations behind the bar, retro Cleveland things hanging on the wall, and menus on the back of old album covers. This Lakewood location is tiny with maybe 15 tables total and a fairly small, but lively, bar.
Anyway, on to the food. I ordered the chorizo and potato sandwich and my waiter, a Charlie Day doppleganger, suggested adding a fried egg. The sandwich was good, but I am VERY glad I took his suggestion. The egg really balanced out the entire sandwich and kind of felt like I was eating a big breakfast between two slices of bread. The bread was nice and crispy on the outside (to hold up the enormous weight of the sandwich) with the right amount of flavor and softness throughout.
The wife got the Parmageddon which was pretty amazing, too. Very big, somewhat dense, pierogis made it very satisfying.
The fries were good hand cut fries and come in massive quantities. Each plate also comes with some kind of slaw that isn't overly dressed, but adds a nice peppery crunch to the rather heavy meal.
Overall, one of the best sandwiches I have ever eaten for a VERY reasonable price (around $20 for the two of us). Wait staff was frenetic and attentive to my table's water refilling needs, which is a big plus if you plan on eating such a large meal.
Endure the wait and try it at least once, you won't regret it. -
Review from Marti C.
Have been wanting to get to Melt since I saw it on Food Network. Glad I made it, portions are gigantic, ambiance is cool and the wait is indeed fierce.
Some friends were in town from LA and we wanted to hang out before I had to take them to the airport. So we went to Melt to see if they are as good as everyone says. They are.
The menus are on the back of album covers. The beer and bottled soda list is long. The number of gourmet sandwiches is extensive. The cieling is blue punched tin. It takes a while to take it all in. We got there at 12:30 on a Monday and there was already a 30 minute wait, so we opted for the bar.
I had a bbq chicken melt, my friends had the porky cheese and crab cake sandwich. I loved mine and the porky cheese (ham, bacon and swiss) but the crab cake was a bit mushy. It was also really fishy. I'm not a fish fan so I am glad I didn't order it.
The bartender was awesome at answering all of our questions, making suggestions and just being fun.
Like everyone else said the portions are HUGE. -
Review from Penny S.
For all you haters in Cleveland, there's a joint in Chicago called Kuma's Corner which is basically your Melt but with burgers. Two hour waits are because of hype, not the restaurant's servers or even kitchen's pace. Believe me when I say that they probably want to turn the tables over a lot more than you do.
With that said, we walked in on a Sunday morning around 11:30 with a group of seven and sat right down. Coffees and a few beers ordered, our server was really friendly and patient with a sleepy, larger group. It took us a while to make our decisions, but I went with the Purple Parma ($12?, eggplant parm, basically). I can see why it takes so long to order, you have like, 25 grilled cheese options to sift through and they all look pretty amazing. My sandwich was really good. Seasoned just right, hot and steaming, and gives my own eggplant parm a run for its money.
Everyone got something different and they were all huge. Only my buddy had the right idea and got the split - a half grilled cheese and salad. She barely finished hers and none of us finished ours. It's A LOT of food.
We had a great experience and by the time we left around 1:30, the wait was on. I was delighted to see that their wait system is pretty cute (they call you out by the name on a sticker which you're given, as opposed to your actual name thus eliminating line-jumpers). Ours was "pepper" with a little pepper shaker dawn just so, and my friend was "The Log Lady", which means something to only a very few people left in the world.
Since I'm moving to Cleveland soon, I'm sure I'll be seeing more of Melt but given how much food it winds up being I suspect it will be a long time between visits. -
Review from Jordan T.
Lakewood, OH
10/4/2011
Went here for lunch last week with a work friend. Barely had to wait, but that's absolutely not the case at dinner time. The last time we had a friend that wanted to try it, there was a 3 hour wait time ...that means some idiots agreed to wait 2hr and 45min!!!!!?? Though this place has undeniably good sandwiches, nothing is worth the ridiculous wait.
So now they're opening up a couple more restaurants, which makes sense, but also brings forth a cheesy franchise type ambiance. Tough dilemma. If I was the owner, I would have opened up more of the almost-same restaurants with slightly different names so they could each offer the same staple meals with a bit of uniqueness.
Note to self: If I ever open a restaurant, give it a name that follows some kind of theme in case it blows up and I have to make more. -
Review from John T.
Brunswick, OH
12/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Amazing food!!!! Only waited 20 min at at the bar. The bartender was on his game. Will be back soon
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Review from Mary Beth A.
Indianapolis, IN
10/5/2011
stopped in when I had to travel for Cleveland to work....all I can say is, WOW! I have never been anywhere like Melt in my life.
First of all, be prepared for a wait, and a big, overwhelming crowd. I ended up sitting at the bar just to avoid the long wait - well worth the hassle of eating at the bar rather than a full size table. however, the big crowds and overwhelming wait time (we were told two hours for a wait for a party of two on a random monday evening!)
I just went with the Kindergarten, and added bacon and sauteed onions. I have never had a grilled cheese like this one. it was absolutely massive, delicious, full of delicious and fresh ingredients, and made with lots of cheeses - mmmmmmmm.
the fresh-cut fries are awessoommeeee. way too big of a serving for any normal-sized person to ever eat, but delicious, freshly-cut, and perfectly seasoned.
i am not a cole slaw fan, but all sandwiches are served with both cole slaw and fries.
guy fieri visited this spot with diners, drive ins, and dives. i suppose this spot is considered a "dive" with the somewhat haphazard decorations, license plates tacked everywhere, and "hipster-cool" vibe.
recommendations: ask for different types of cheese on your grilled cheese - you can have 2, 3, 4, or more different flavors on the same sandwich, regardless of the type called for on the menu (there is a small charge, but well worth the cheesy deliciousness). also, if you are with a small group, walk right in and sit at the bar. this will cut your wait time by 100%. also, go in with an absolutely empty stomach. you will leave happy. -
Review from Kristen W.
Strongsville, OH
9/20/2011
Melt Bar and Grilled is a North East Ohio Staple! I recommend coming right when they open (11 am) or in between the lunch and dinner rush (2:30-4 pm) so you are not slapped with the 2 hour wait! The sandwiches here are what you are coming for! Sure they are huge and greasy, but they are really good! So just disregard your waistline for a hot second and go to Melt!
Everybody I know wants to go here, so I have a lot to write about!
Summer Chicken- My favorite, this fueled my love affair with Havarti cheese! This comes w/ chicken, lettuce, tomato,Havarti cheese, and roasted garlic herb dressing. This is one of the lighter less greasy sandwiches.
Grilled peanut butter and banana- so rich and sweet! This grilled cheese has homemade peanut butter, banana, cream cheese and comes with a berry dipping sauce! I could put the berry sauce on anything! This is a sandwich I always resort to when it's cold out, like sweet comfort food!
The Wake N Bacon- is good if your an avid breakfast eater!
Add lettuce and tomato to the porky cheese if you're going that route!
The big popper is delicious and creamy, a great choice if you can handle a really spicy sandwich. The mixed berry preserves is definitely needed on this sandwich.
The mushroom melt is my favorite vegetarian sandwich.
Final tip: If you're overwhelmed by the huge portions of massive grilled cheese sandwiches and heaps of fries, try the half combo, that comes with half of a plain grilled cheese (you can add anything you'd like) and a cup of soup and a salad! If you can't handle all the cheese and grease, this is the way to go!
If you live in NEO and haven't been here, come out from under your rock. And if you are here form out of town, GO HERE! -
Review from Adam J.
Romeoville, IL
10/14/2011
I went at noon on a Monday and was seated immediately. The server did a great job of explaining menu options and the food was prompt.
The sandwiches were very good, but the amount of it is entirely too much to consume. Giant sandwich + fries + slaw is delicious but I hit the wall halfway through.
I'll go back when I return to Cleveland -
Review from Iliana C.
9/20/2011
WOW! I don't even really like grilled cheese sandwiches but WOW!
I ordered the summer grilled cheese and I'm still having dreams about it. It's a good thing I don't live in Cleveland because I'd be REALLY fat if I lived anywhere near this place.
Also amazing: they cater to vegans! Melt offers a vegan mozzarella and a vegan cheddar cheese that can be added to any sandwich.
Beware: the portions are HUGE! I was only able to eat half of the sandwich and a few fries. It did make a great dinner, tho.
This place uses great, quality, fresh ingredients that you can taste in every bite.
The one con: There will be a 1+ hour wait regardless of what time you go and they don't take reservations. I made use of this by putting my name down and then walking down the street to caribou coffee. When I got back my name was next on the list. So be prepared to wait alittle but trust me it will be worth it. -
Review from Brandon S.
Lakewood, OH
11/22/2011 2 photos
If your looking for a quick in and out experience, keep it moving. I am one who believes that dining out is an occasion, a time to sit, relax, and bond amongst kindred beings. Melt is just that! Friendly and humble staff, classic yet cutting edge vintage styled decor, and some pretty spiffy monster grilled cheese. Try the "wake & bacon" great for delightful morning or a "fourth" meal :D
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Review from Austin R.
Lakewood, OH
7/7/2011
I think the idea and the hype definitely outweigh the real experience. I have tried four or five sandwiches and for the most part they were OK, but they also all made me feel pretty gross after I ate them. Can't imagine eating here on a regular basis.
The portions are very big which is somewhat ironic because these gooey and greasy sandwiches are best when eaten right away making terrible left overs. For that I wouldn't even recommend getting takeout. If you look past all of the hype in reality Melt is just decent restaurant with a cool concept. -
Review from Vanessa G.
Virginia Beach, VA
8/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
When it comes to Cleveland cuisine, Melt is the best. You will wait for about an hour (usually more) at just about any time of the day or night. That's the one complaint I've ever heard about Melt, they're too busy.
They have a HUGE beer list. Their food is creative and delicious. The Parmaggedon is a pierogie sandwich and the Big Popper is basically a giant jalapeno popper on bread that gets beer battered and deep fried. Delicious.
Melt is also vegetarian and vegan friendly. The soda does tend to be a little flat due to old carbonation lines (I asked once) so I stick to water, tea, or lemonade. There are over 100 kind of beer if that's more your thing though. -
Review from Jessica M.
Akron, OH
6/15/2011
I've been here twice, hoping for a good experience. Have I had one yet? Nope.
I like the atmosphere of Melt, love the artwork, and the wait staff is pretty good. My major issue is with the food.
Both times i have been there, my food has arrived at the table cold. When I think grilled cheese, i think melty, yummy, gooey cheese. i've never had that experience at Melt. The fries are gross, and the cole slaw? yuck.
I wanted to love Melt, i truly did. Otherwise I wouldn't have gone there twice. But both times, i was disappointed. If i'm going up to Cleveland, i'd rather spend a little more and have a hell of a shorter wait and go to BSpot for a burger. -
Review from Jesse S.
East Troy, WI
11/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Upon going there on a Friday at 12:30, I was expecting a wait. It was a 2 hour wait, though, so we got it to go. This was a good decision. The food was absolutely delicious. My wife had the Turkey Bomb thingy and loves it. I had the Monte Cristo and love it. We had the Fried Twinkies and loved it. The food was very plentiful as we both only ate half of our sammich. A must stop if you are in Cleveland.
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Review from Anthony B.
Rockville, MD
9/15/2011
If you like cheese, you'll like this place. If you like beer, you'll like this place. The beer prices are reasonable and they have an enormous selection. The variety of sandwiches are the stuff of legend. I'd also suggest getting here early, as our wait for 2 hours on a Sunday night.
Also, split a sandwich with someone you like, unless you want to die of a heart attack. Seriously. They're huge and come with delicious fries. -
Review from jodi b.
Brooklyn, OH
10/5/2011
If you want to wait 2 hours for a grilled cheese that is awkward to fit in your mouth, boring fries and a bar full of douchebags....Melt is the place for you. I wanted to like this place so bad and I've gone there many times....... but my best meals from there have been take out. I've received rude service in the restaurant a couple of times....almost like I wasn't 'cool' enough to be eating at a grilled cheese restaurant. Being treated like that makes everything taste bad.
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Review from Fallon S.
Lakewood, OH
7/22/2011
Yes, there is a wait. Everyone knows this. Deal with it. The last couple of times I've went, I've gotten a spot at the bar in the first 15 minutes. If you want to wait for a table and there's 20 names in front of you, put your name in and walk down the street to Pacers for some drinks and come back in an hour. Like everyone says, it's worth the wait.
I've tried about 1/2 the menu and I've never been disappointed. As someone mentioned, you don't need an appetizer, although the pierogies are amazing!
Off the top of my head, the sandwiches (which all come w/ fries & (amazing!) coleslaw, range from about $8 or $9 to $14. And you can always create your own with the dozens of ingredients they have there. The portions are HUGE! I don't think I've ever eaten more than 1/2 my sandwich so you're basically getting two meals. If you're going w/ someone, I suggest both ordering something different and swapping a half so you can try more of them!
They usually have a side and soup on special and they are always interesting, unique combos and delicious!
The beer selection is vast and plentiful and the bartenders and servers are attentive and friendly. As mentioned below, they give lots of info on the beer, like the alcohol content and a brief description. I love picking out beers for my friends and trying something new each time. This restaurant is definately an experience that never gets old!
MELT is a great concept and hugely successful for a reason! -
Review from Andrew M.
Aurora, CO
11/27/2011
My God... the best American sized portion gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.. they have a fun tattoo themed atmosphere with over 150 beers... spiced coleslaw along with wonderful fries and never before thought of sandwiches such as the parmageddon topped with a peirogi and sauerkraut! Get in! Waits take forever.
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Review from Zack H.
7/7/2011
There is ALWAYS a 2 1/2 hour (or longer) wait to get into this location of the Melt; I've heard that even if you have a reservation, you're going to have to wait at least an hour or so. Being from Akron, I first heard of this place the week before the Cleveland episode of Man v. Food aired. I decided to make the drive up here to watch said episode at the bar.
Once I fought my way to the bar, I was amazed by the variety of alcohol they serve. They even list how strong each beer and wine are. I ended up getting the Arrogant Bastard, and I was in heaven. I don't really remember much of the Cleveland episode except his monologue at the end of the episode (which had to have been pre-written), so when that happens, you know this is a good place to drink.
The food here matches the hype, in my opinion. All servings are massive and come loaded with fries and slaw. I got the Parmageddon my first time here, which comes with pierogies, cheese, and other stuff I can't remember. I was in love with that sandwich. The sandwich alone must have weighed over a pound, while the fries and slaw must have added another pound. Yes, I've also tried the Melt Challenge, and while it was too much for me, it was one of the tastiest challenges I have ever done. The 13 types of cheese on that each stood out, giving each bite a new flavor that added to the quality of the messy dish. Just beware: the fries and slaw take up 3/4 of the plate.
If they ever built a Melt in the Akron area, I would be there every week. Enough said.Listed in: Man v. Yelp
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Review from Angela E.
8/12/2011
This place is worth the wait. And wait you will. About an hour and a half generally, unless you go on off times. Don't despair though- there's beer! And if Melt is packed, you can find a bar close by and wait it out. I have the most impatient hubby when it comes to lines and even he agrees it was worth it. Now then, to the food.
I got the Porky Cheese- swiss, ham, crispy bacon, and added on two fried eggs. It came on delicious Texas toast and was surprisingly not messy! The fries (OMG- THE FRIES) are so f'ing good. My cuz suggested we skip the coleslaw and get extra fries and I totally see his reasoning behind it, even though I opted for keeping the slaw (it was good and I like to get a veggie in there somewhere!). I was only able to eat half of mine, but in all honesty, if there hadn't been any witnesses, I might have tried to eat the whole damn thing.
Some other sandwiches I witnessed being shoveled in to loved ones' mouths...Westside Monte Cristo (looked amazing!), Summer Chicken (my cuz loves this one), Flying Falafel Melt (the special of the month), and The Godfather (lasagna style!).
All in all- a great place. I even bought a t-shirt and joined the Melt Army!
Special Note: They have a patio! -
Review from Andy T.
7/27/2011
Fuck yeah! Does not get much better than this.
I had "The dude abides" a toasted sandwich with meatballs and mozzarella sticks and a tasty IPA to wash it down.
Huge portions, I wish I could take this back to Australia with me.
