Melt Bar and Grilled

Reviews 4

A

A Private User

After dining at the location on the westside, I was excited that we would be getting a location closer to me on the eastside. Parking is a nightmare, but ok whatever. When I arrived, the hostess was very friendly, but quoted a 1:45 minute wait. I was hesitant, but since I talked this place up to my friend, we waited. After waiting about 1:55 minutes, we were seated near the open kitchen. The waitress, who was very very polite, quoted us 1 1/2 to 2 hours if "we wanted a sandwich" and encouraged us to order appetizers for an entrée. I was floored, and embarrassed for even recommending the place, but we forged along. My friend ordered quesadillas, and I ordered crab cakes. Since Im a foodie, I shouldve known not to order $8 crab cakes from a grilled cheese restaurant, but since it was "Melt" and since they pride themselves on premium ingredients, I ordered them. I asked the waitress if they were "lump" and she said absolutely, everything is hand made etc. I then asked her if they were filled with breading etc., and she said oh, no. Well about 45 minutes later, I burnt full of pasty bread cakes with essence of crab flecks through out on a bed of spinach, with corn salsa. My friends quesadillas were contained over charred chicken with the same dry salsa. The best thing about our meal was our conversation, people watching, my Corona, and her apple martini. She was floored so she asked for the manager, and this kid comes over and goes on with the following statements in response to the awful experience: "We Just opened 4 days ago, and you gotta understand that were busy" "Were working out all of the kinks" "Were so good and were on the food channel, and people fly in just for our sandwiches" "Our food is very high quality, and it takes 2 hrs for a sandwich" "If youve ever been to out westside location, you know we stay busy" "All of our food is made fresh, thats why it takes along time" "Were not a franchise, so our food will take longer" I was in total disbelief that he was passing the buck in such a matter that I couldnt even respond! Having been to some of the best restaurants in France, NYC, and our own Cleveland jewels right here in Cleveland, I couldnt believe that eh was trying to feed me such BS! Maybe it was my shorts and tank top, or my young age that made him think that he could pull a fast one…whatever. He ended up comping my friends quesadillas, which was underwhelming. Maybe Ill give them another chance, maybe I wont, but hopefully the owner will swoop down and tune their place up, because hes failing miserably.

KI

Kim Tatchell

Every time I visit Melt, I leave a little more disappointed than before. Which is sad because it not only use to be my favorite place to eat out, but its also a Cleveland staple. I was at the Cedar location last night after a long day at work. There was a wait but we usually enjoy the bar more anyways so we snagged some seats, where we then waited 10 minutes for a bartender to give us menus. This would have been fine if they were pouring drinks, dropping food, etc, but she was 2 feet away from us and talking to what seemed like her friends about where they should all meet up later on. She never noticed that we just arrived or that we needed anything regardless of being right next to us and her looking at us several times. She left and a different bartender gave us menus and took our drink order. My drink arrived timely and we put our food in as well. From that moment, we did not exist to either bartender for the rest of the night. We waited for 25 min for our food (not terrible - we know it was Friday night) and never got water refills (my boyfriend drank from mine eventually.) When our food arrived (somewhat cold, but we just wanted to eat and go home at that point because we were tired) we were never asked how it was or if I wanted another round of drinks. We then stacked our plates to show we were ready for a box but waited 15 minutes for one, and the check. The only reason I didnt ask to mention all of this to a manager was because for some reason my melt card got me 20 bucks off. Like I said earlier, Melt is a Cleveland staple and it saddens me that my few past experiences have been bad. I work in fine dining and have bar experience and I totally sympathize with the fact that we were there on a Friday night but the complete lack of customer service was terrible. The girl that handed me my peanut butter to go was right in front of us when we stood up to go - I said goodbye and to have a nice night and she just looked at me and walked away without saying anything. A little goes a long way when it comes to making a guest feel welcome. I still tipped 20% but hopefully the girls realise soon that the nicer and more welcoming you are to guests, the bigger tips you get in the end... All in all...well be back. Maybe its just time to take a Melt break for a while.

ME

Melissa Pocek

God came down to earth and said "It is time that I make a wonderful grill cheese sandwich bar with 21 different types of sandwiches and 150 beers." And the people were happy. MELTs name conjures up images of divine grilled cheese that makes my stomach grumble for joy. Each dish is served with hand cut fries and sweet slaw. The hand cut fries are crisp, pleasing to all senses, and taste like they were freshly made minutes before being served. This place is your all American punk rock restaurant/bar and caters to everyone from meat lovers to vegans. If youre having a gooey, cheesy, sandwich fit than every single dish served at MELT will win you over. Even if you are vegan and real cheese isnt your thing. You can have vegan cheese substituted for the real stuff on any of their sandwiches. Or if youre still craving something different then try their holy handmade veggie burger. Beer and grilled cheese go together as well as sparkling champagne and wedding cake. So do try one of their many appealing selections of beers from Great Lakes to PBR. All for a reasonable amount of pocket change. And yes they have Hebrew too! If youre craving some protein then try the West Side Monte Cristo made with honey ham, smoked turkey, Swiss, and American cheese. Or if your looking for a colossal veg sandwich The Parmageddon with potato and cheese pierogi, fresh napa vodka kraut, grilled onions, and cheese will keep you full for days. The heavenly homemade soups are all made with fresh ingredients. Try their house soup with roasted garlic with a tomato soup base. It comes piping hot in a mug accompanied by gold fish crackers. Clevelands MELT is one of the best hidden gems you will ever find. This celestial grilled cheese restaurent may even make you go back to church. Or at least thank God that a place like this exist.

A

A Private User

In a word, ABSO-FREAKIN-LUTELY-AWESOME! After seeing melt bar and grilled on a food show, we thought wed take the trip up from Canton, which is about 60 miles south of Melt. I called ahead and asked if they do reservations. The answer was no. No harm there. Asked what my wait might be like once I got there... They said 45 minutes to be seated, and once ordered, our food would be delivered in about an hour. This was told to us repeatedly, and those who chose to wait did so willingly. All for good reason! The food was absolutely incredible. The best cole slaw ive had ever. Yes, it has pepper... but the right recipe. My wife had a melt burger done to perfection. My son had a prime rib melt, with aus jus and a sour cream/horseradish sauce, both on the side. Personally, I had the Tokyo Tuna Melt. Incredible all around! All dishes were also topped with excellent fries. Further, I think this establishment had the biggest beer menu known to man! It took me 10 minutes to read the beer menu and decide. But thats ok, there was plenty of time to enjoy yourself while waiting. If you are in a hurry, call in a to go order. But if you want the full experience, come ready with a hunger and thirst that WILL BE QUENCHED. 3 dinners, 2 alcoholic drinks, and 2 sodas (free refills), $44... The total experience... PRICELESS! And dont let a couple tattoos bother you... The wait staff was friendly, courteous, and seriously paid attention to our drink needs promptly! Thank you for listening!