It’s no secret that my heart gravitates toward the Mama & Pop dusty backroad kitchens and the unearthed culinary gems within tiny map-dot-towns.
There must be something incredibly special about a chain-like restaurant if it wants a chance at the POSITIVELY DELICIOUS food blog journey… I have to be incapable of shaking it from my consideration. And that’s what happened with MELT BAR & GRILLED.
Even Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives (aka Triple-D), a Food Network show hosted by Guy Fieri, took a break from its standard “greasy spoon” restaurant stops to pay Melt Bar & Grilled a visit. So hey, if Triple-D can take a break from their regular programming to try a non-Mama & Pop stop, so can I.
Just as Food Network found “it takes a special genius to make a grilled cheese lasagna sandwich,” I found the five menus to be jam-packed with culinary creativity and tastebud-tempting concoctions. From their HANGOVER FRIES to their WATERMELON SALAD to their LAKE ERIE MONSTER to their PEANUT BUTTER & BANANA to their BUILD YOUR OWN MACARONI & CHEESE to their straight-in-from-Campbell’s-Sweet-Factory-in-Cleveland CARAMEL CORN, Melt Bar & Grilled showcases some of the best and most successful food wizardry around.
And I haven’t even mentioned the drink selection. Signature cocktails, draft beers, bottled beers, and a plethora of more alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices are available to help you chase down the deliciousness of your choice.
Perhaps you’re still wondering, “Did she really say five menus?” And to that, I say, “Yes, I did.” They have a traditional menu, gluten-friendly menu, vegan menu, game day menu, and a kids menu. There are many fan favorites among all the options. In fact, I received a different answer every time I asked an employee what they believe the best thing is to order. “I love their WAKE & BACON,” one person said. While another insisted that “their CLEVELAND CHEESE STEAK is the best thing on the menu.” “We’re known for our soups, especially the FRENCH ONION SOUP, and everyone loves the MAC & CHEESE BITES,” my server promised.
Melt Bar & Grilled doesn’t slack in its menu offerings, nor does it slack when it comes to atmosphere. The decor alone offers enough conversation pieces to keep even the slowest discussions from completely crashing and burning. (So you first-time-daters out there, this may be your spot!)
As you enter, you see a beautiful comic book-like wall of art, and across the room, your eyes find framed posters of musicians that range from Styx to Ray Charles to The Bee Gees to Lynyrd Skynyrd. The ceiling is a mosaic of large cobalt blue, tin-looking squares that create a modern vibe with a large touch of warmth and home.
There are no booths, but their chairs are quite comfortable, and the pops of wood planks and exposed brick throughout the restaurant make you want to relax and stay for a while. Whether you are a party-for-one, like when I visited, or a large family, the burnt orange and gold painted walls inside and the outside patio with hanging bistro lights and floor, not concrete, make you feel welcome.
Massive television screens line the walls, but they’re not loud enough to ruin a conversation or make you raise your voice. And don’t forget to look out for the cheesy, plastic, and yet somehow fitting holiday decorations lining the bar. Halloween, Easter, and Christmas are all represented. All the touches, color choices, and decor work together to create a relaxed atmosphere for upscale, better-than-Mama-fixed-it food.
And although some may not care about to-go containers, I’ve experienced enough subpar ones to notice and appreciate the standouts- and Melt Bar & Grilled has one of the best to-go boxes I’ve ever experienced.
Now for my dessert lovers out there, lean in and listen closely: The Melt Bar & Grilled’s CAMPFIRE S’MORE BREAD PUDDING is close-your-eyes-level goodness. Imagine the moistest chocolate cake you’ve ever had; it’s chilled and perfectly cooked. Now smother that with warm melted marshmallow icing, cocooning the chocolate cake-like bread pudding in an avalanche of sugary heaven. Throw on a heap of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and a generous scattering of graham cracker bits for texture and enjoy the ride. This. Is. Next. Level. This dessert is an experience, and it’s A LOT on one plate- so be prepared to share or take some home. Make healthy choices throughout the week, so you can sample this creation and enjoy every bite.
The Melt Bar & Grilled is the perfect example of why sometimes, even this map-dot-loving-food-blogger needs to bend the rules. Give Melt Bar & Grilled a try, and you’ll see why it won over my culinary heart and why Guy Fieri mentioned its PARMAGEDDON sandwich on David Letterman.
In the words of Guy Fieri: “The Parmageddon is incredible– I still think about it, one of the best sandwiches ever, and Matt (owner) is truly crazed!” So if you don’t trust me, trust Guy. And if you don’t trust either of us, I think I speak for both Guy and me when I say, “We’re extremely sorry for your missed opportunity and your tastebuds’ loss.”
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