I grew up in the Cleveland area. Columbus is amazing and I feel at home here, but a part of me will always belong to the CLE.
Melt Bar & Grilled is first and foremost a grilled cheese place. I remember going to the original Melt in Lakewood and appreciating the aesthetic. With assorted holiday decorations and menus printed on vinyl album covers, it certainly made an impression. I loved it then, and I still do today.
The Menus
Before you’re even seated, you know how inclusive Melt’s menu can be. In addition to their normal menu, Melt also offers separate vegan and gluten free menus. These are offered to every party prior to being seated.
For me, the regular menu is sufficient for avoiding eggs. Every option on the menu is clearly marked as vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, or as “can be made vegan, vegetarian, or gluten free”. It’s nice because anything vegan is obviously egg free. Better yet, there are several items available that aren’t vegan and still made without eggs!
Take the most fantastic appetizer I’ve ever had, for example. The Mac ‘n Cheese Bites are deep fried wedges of macaroni and cheese. Not enough? The triangles are then drizzled with a rich, creamy, cheese sauce. Cheesy on the outside and inside!
This appetizer is an egg free option without having to go vegan. The vegan cheese at Melt is good, don’t get me wrong. I’m just always happy to remind myself that having an egg allergy doesn’t mean I need to be vegan.
If you fall in love with these like I did, they also come on a grilled cheese called the Mighty Macaroni!
The Sandwiches
Melt has put literally everything on a grilled cheese. From chicken parmesan to peanut butter and banana, the sky is the limit. The Mighty Macaroni is a classic for sure. Not sure you’re ready for all of that? Try the Kindergarten – just a regular, classic grilled cheese. The restaurant also has monthly sandwich specials. This month, I had the pleasure of finding the Parmageddon – a grilled cheese with sauerkraut and a pierogi.
Melt’s menu isn’t just limited to grilled cheese either. They have salads, an extensive array of macaroni and cheese dishes, as well as a dessert menu.
Realistically, I never have room for dessert after eating at Melt. That works out because, with the exception of the gourmet popcorn available for purchase, Melt does not offer any vegan or egg free desserts. The dessert menu also shifts on a seasonal basis, but I’ve not had much luck there. It’s unfortunate, but also not uncommon. I hope that at some point this changes, but it’s no reason not to go.
The wait staff at Melt are approachable and helpful with any questions you have. When it came to the Parmageddon, I was able to requested regular cheese while also getting the vegan pierogi. If you can dream it, Melt will help you do it!
If you have any suggestions for my next restaurant review please let me know! I always look forward to your comments and reactions to the content I’m creating. Please reach out and let me know what you think. Happy eating!