Meltz | Extreme Grilled Cheese | Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Extreme, Indeed

Sharing space in a modest strip mall with a gas station convenience store, Meltz does not look like an interesting restaurant. But it is. Its mission: “Extreme grilled cheese.” Wild specialty sandwiches fulfill that goal. Consider, for instance, the Korean Krazy. That co-mingles provolone and pepperjack cheeses, barbecued beef, kimchi, crushed sesame sticks, scallions, hot pepper ketchup, and cilantro. I like mine on sourdough bread, well-buttered and grilled to a fare-thee-well. Whole wheat bread also is available. The Korean Krazy earned a first-place trophy in the 2014 National Grilled Cheese Invitational competition.

Specialty Sandwiches

Consider these other dazzlers from the menu. The Oinker piles together cheddar, pulled pork, bacon, creamy pasta, and buttermilk fried onions. Order the Briqueso and you get cheddar, brie, roasted artichokes, red peppers, caramelized onions, garlicky spinach, grilled zucchini, and sundried tomatoes. A German Curd features cheddar, pretzel-crusted cheese curds, bratwurst, braised sweet onions, and bacon sauerkraut. Recently, they added an old favorite back to the regular menu. The Idahoan combines meat loaf with mashed potatoes and chili glaze, Colby jack and cheddar cheeses, and a vein of roasted garlic.

Not Extreme

You needn’t eat extreme grilled cheese. Choose a simple sandwich that contains … just cheese! Or create your own by specifying which of the several cheeses, veggies, and meats you like. Do you favor Cheddar, Fontina, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Colby, Swiss, Provolone, Mozzarella, Gorgonzola, Gruyere, Brie, Blue, Chevre, American, or Cheez Whiz?

Bread Matters

Beyond the assembly of fantastic ingredients, these sandwiches get their edge from thick-cut bread masterfully grilled to crusty succulence. Cheese likely will ooze out and turn crunchy on the grill. This creates yummy little wings that extend well beyond the slice. Because the sandwiches tend to be complicated and are made to order, expect to wait a good 10 minutes. When your order is ready, they call your name. Tote your own tray to a table in the small, crowded dining area. Of course, take-out is an option and, for now, curbside pick-up, too.

Idaho Potatoes

To go with sandwiches, Meltz makes thick-cut potato chips (from Idahos, of course). The come salted and brilliantly seasoned.