If you’re a fan of outrageous comfort food, then you need to visit Melt Bar and Grill in Cleveland, Ohio. On this episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, Guy Fieri takes us on a culinary journey to this beloved eatery, renowned for its creative twist on the classic grilled cheese. Guy’s mission is to try out the “Parmageddon,” a grilled cheese stuffed with pierogis—a local favorite.
The Setting
Guy kicks off his adventure outside Melt Bar and Grill, excited to dive into what he calls “another one of your favorites.” The moment he steps inside, he’s met with an atmosphere buzzing with people who are just as enthusiastic about grilled cheese as he is. Melt isn’t just any regular joint serving up grilled cheese; they offer over 30 mouth-watering variations of this childhood staple.
The Parmageddon (Pierogi-Stuffed Grilled Cheese)
The sandwich begins with a hearty slice of grilled bread and a hot sauté pan, in which fresh potato and cheddar cheese pierogis are browned to perfection. The pierogis are then joined by caramelized onions, a specially made kraut spice, vodka, and cider vinegar, creating a concoction that Guy describes as “happy, happy, happy.”
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The sandwich is completed with a generous layer of sharp cheddar cheese on both sides of the bread, ensuring there’s four ounces of gooey goodness in every bite. After a few minutes in the oven, the result is a grilled cheese sandwich that is, as Guy puts it, “out of bounds.”
Guy is floored by the first bite. “Crunch on the bread, fantastic pierogi—great, but the cabbage with the vodka and the cider—it’s over the top and around again,” he raves. He then calls it “one of the best grilled cheese I’ve ever had.”
The Big Popper (A Jalapeño Popper-Stuffed Grilled Cheese)
Another standout dish at Melt is the Big Popper, a grilled cheese stuffed with all the flavors of a jalapeño popper. It’s loaded with jalapeños, cheese, and a hint of heat that perfectly balances the creaminess of the cheese.
Taking a bite, Guy exclaims, “Wow, dude, that’s hot! That tastes like a jalapeño popper.”
The Experience
Guy is not alone in his admiration of Melt Bar and Grill. The restaurant’s patrons are unanimous in their praise, describing the grilled cheese creations as “the best in Cleveland.” Owner and chef Matt Fish is the mastermind behind these inventive dishes. His passion for grilled cheese stems from his childhood, and he constantly dreams up new ways to elevate the beloved sandwich. “I think we can stick anything inside of it and still consider it a grilled cheese sandwich,” Matt says.
The creativity doesn’t stop at the pierogi-stuffed grilled cheese. Melt’s menu features a variety of unconventional yet delicious combinations, from chorizo and potato to peanut butter and banana, and even blackened chicken.