By Marcene Robinson:
Allentown just got a lot cheesier with the opening of The Melting Point, a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich shop in the heart of Allentown across from Hardware and next door to College Street Gallery.
The new restaurant offers everything from the classic American cheese grilled cheese sandwich priced at $2 to slightly more expensive sandwiches. The menu – that is organized by a set of randomly chosen numbers – offers customers a variety of flavors that should satisfy even the pickiest of taste buds. Ingredients range from caramelized onions and Granny Smith apples to thick cut bacon. These guys aren’t afraid to experiment!
However, don’t let random ordering of the menu fool you. These sandwiches are not a lucky accident. Rather the owners, foodies Matt Yuhnke and Mike Kifner, used a system of trial and error to build an assortment of 12 unique sandwiches and soups.
I opted for the No. 38: a grilled chicken sandwich with melted Monterey Jack cheese, roasted Poblano peppers and sweet cherry tomato jam – I had the peppers removed as I have zero tolerance for spicy foods; one bite and I become a teary-eyed mess.
I was a bit nervous about the combination of grilled chicken and jam, but the jam added the perfect pinch of sweetness that made me savor every bite. The tomato soup is excellent as well.
The Melting Point replaced Lagniappes Lucky Dogs, and has a small storefront, making it more ideal for takeout. There are bar stools by the window, which faces Allen Street, and two high tables with stools for dining in. However, this is definitely not the ideal place for a sit-down dinner.
The restaurant opens everyday at 11 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m. They’re open until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights for the late-night crowd. And we noticed the radio kicked in toward 9 p.m. On the night we visited, they played several Black Star throwback songs, which blended in nicely with the shop’s relaxed atmosphere.
The most expensive sandwich is $8.99, however most hover around a reasonable $6 to $7 dollars. Factor that in with the creative menu and I think the Melting Point is well worth a visit.
Melting Point | 244 Allen St, Buffalo, New York 14201 | (716) 768-0426 | Facebook