This post was written by Hatchet reporter Sophie Ota.
Melt Shop ups the ante of the classic white bread and American cheese combination, adding ingredients like truffle mayo and sourdough toast to sandwiches at its first D.C. restaurant.
The sandwich shop opened on L Street last month after operating five locations in New York.
The store has a minimalistic look with a modern punch. A high-tech soda machine allows customers to chose from more than 100 beverage options, and murals on the white-tiled walls urge visitors to “cheat on your mom’s grilled cheese.”
Melt Shop’s menu continues this trendy twist.
“We’re a sandwich shop with a grilled cheese base, but we use artisanal ingredients, and make pretty much everything from scratch here,” manager Brian Tolisano said.
The shop combines sandwiches with comfort food. One creation, the Maple Bacon sandwich, includes aged cheddar, Wisconsin brick cheese spread and maple glazed bacon on white bread ($7.12).
But traditionalists, fear not: The menu also includes a “Classic” sandwich ($5.05), made only with American and white cheddar cheese.
“Everything on our menu goes with the perfect grilled cheese,” Tolisano said, citing the sides like tater tots, tomato soup, milkshakes and speciality beer.
Though it’s not the first grilled cheese speciality shop in the District, Melt Shop offers a more casual atmosphere and significantly lighter fare, not to mention it’s a little closer to campus.
And with the price of sandwiches ranging between $5 and $9, you’ll still be able to eat out with whatever money you have left after spring break.
Additional Melt Shop locations in Dupont Circle and on Connecticut Avenue are in the works and catering options are set to debut in the next two to three weeks. The restaurant does not accept GWorld, though Tolisano hopes to be able to take it soon.
I tried the Fried Chicken sandwich and the Buffalo sandwich ($9 each) per Tolisano’s recommendation. The sandwich featured its namesake plus pepper jack cheese, crunchy red cabbage and Melt Shop’s speciality sauce between two slices of crispy sourdough bread. While I questioned the inclusion of cabbage, which was more waxy than tasty, the chicken was satisfyingly moist.
I preferred the Buffalo sandwich: The tangy buffalo sauce united the distinct flavors of fried chicken, pepper jack cheese, blue cheese and sourdough bread. Combined with the sharp cheese and perfectly toasted bread, I could see myself warming up with the sandwich on a chilly day.
To complete my meal, I sipped on Melt Shop’s signature Nutella shake. The best part was the frozen swirls of Nutella, which gave the beverage a thick consistency. Filling and rich, I could see Melt Shop shakes competing with those at other favorites near campus like Burger Tap & Shake.
Melt Shop is located at 1901 L St. NW.
