Melty Way: grilled cheese gourmet

American Fork is no mecca of fine foods. Until recently, the Northern-most end of Utah county had little more than an Applebees and a Chilis to choose from. But it seems the growth of gourmet start-ups in Provo has spread North.

 

Though I’ve never considered myself much a of a grilled-cheese fan, Melty Way has been tempting me since its opening day. As the restaurant nears its first birthday, I decided that I couldn’t hold out any longer. I wandered in to the tidy corner grilled-cheesery just a half-hour after opening for the day. Two employees worked away quietly, a table of lunching ladies chatted nearby, and Cut Copy crooned from the overhead speakers. The former ice cream shop was bright, clean and unobtrusively modern.

The large menu hanging over the cash register detailed the 15 sandwich selections—not including the build-your-own option—5 bread varieties: sourdough, whole wheat, pumpernickel, thin white and gluten-free; and the soup, salad, chip and drink add-ons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I ordered the “Jalapeno Popper,” a slightly spicy blend of aged cheddar, pepper jack, cream cheese and jalapenos on sourdough. With tax, the sandwich set me back $5.38. My compatriot, Erin, ordered the “Artichoke & Tomato” for a total of $4.19. The menu is very affordable, with the cheapest sandwiches coming in at just $2.99.

When it arrived at my table a few minutes later, my sandwich, served with a dill pickle spear, was toasted to the ideal golden hue. The interior was smooth and spicy without so much as a hint of the rubbery faux American cheese of my own homemade ‘wiches.  The jalapenos were freshly sliced, not pickled, and the cream cheese added an element that I’d never experienced.

Erin describes her sandwich as “perfect for artichoke lovers” and said she had nothing bad to say about it. It featured provolone, marinated artichokes, grape tomatoes (though not many), and basil pesto on sourdough.

I was most worried that my sandwich would be bland, but it was far from it. Though if you feel like yours doesn’t have enough kick, Melty Way offers a series of sauces like Sriracha mayo and “melty sauce.”

Melty Way is a great place for lunch, or, if you add a soup or salad, a classic comfort food dinner. The restaurant has a great atmosphere, a friendly staff, quick service, and great options for Utah county dwellers (and if applicable, their picky children). I would (will) return in the future.