Last week while shopping with a friend (and by shopping I mean buying Sprinkles cupcakes), I ate at The Melt at the Stanford Shopping Center for the first time. I love me some grilled cheese sandwiches. Just ask my UCSC college buddies. After a night of dancing and drinking, we’d return to my apartment where I’d make a dozen grilled cheese sandwiches for all my friends. It was so much tastier than the vegan version offered at the Saturn Cafe in downtown Santa Cruz. Now that I’m a mom, grilling up the bread and cheese combo is a quintessential tool in my arsenal of quick and easy meals. Get home late from sports carpool? Make a grilled cheese. Rainy outside? Pair soup with grilled cheese. Ran out of turkey slices? Make a grilled cheese.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when my friend suggested The Melt for lunch. I had heard it was a gourmet grilled cheese place. To me that meant funky cheeses, weird toppings, and an outrageous price for what you can essentially make at home for less than a dollar.
You can get a classic grilled cheese sandwich – although a healthy version of the classic. I grew up with a classic grilled cheese sandwich meaning American cheese slices and white bread, amiright? The classic at The Melt is aged cheddar on artisan white. You can also get varieties of grilled cheeses that I know my kids wouldn’t touch, but my hipster friends would.
I ordered the Weekly Special. It paired a cup of Tomato Soup with a grilled cheese with bacon and jalapenos. Need I say more? Delish. The sandwich was spicy heaven for this pregnant mama. I loved every biteful. I was actually a little sad when I was done. It was that good.
All in all, my first experience at The Melt was great. While there are gourmet options with funky cheeses (I’m sorry, I just can’t get behind brie and apples on toast), there are plenty of options that will fill the American cheese on white bread hole in your heart. As for the price… lunch for under $10 is a great deal in my book. The sandwiches are large enough that, had I brought my two kids, my kids would split one.
The next time I go back, I plan on trying their natural sodas. That was a little too hipster for my first gourmet grilled cheese experience. But there’s always room for another visit… and another gourmet grilled cheese sandwich.
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Umm, I hope this was not during the work week and you did not call me to come with, since I do work just down the street. And brie with apple slices is DELISH. I want that. Next time I expect a call.
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