Cheese Pull: Melty Challenge Mystery Solved!

The Melt Challenge at Melt Bar & Grilled in Lakewood, Cleveland, is not for the faint-hearted. It features a triple-decker sandwich loaded with 12-13 different types of cheese, weighing in at around 5 pounds. The challenge, which has been featured on the TV show Man v. Food, also includes a pile of fries, coleslaw, and pickles. It's a daunting task, with only a small number of people succeeding in conquering this cheesy challenge.

Melt Challenge rules: Finish the meal without help or bathroom breaks

The Melt Challenge is not for the faint-hearted. This cheesy test of gastrointestinal fortitude is a challenge that only the bravest (or most hungry) would take on. The rules are simple: finish the meal without any help or bathroom breaks. But what exactly is the meal?

The Melt Challenge consists of a 5-pound grilled cheese sandwich, featuring 12-13 different cheeses, 3 slices of grilled bread, and a pile of hand-cut fries and slaw. Oh, and let's not forget the pickles! This monster of a meal is served up by Melt Bar & Grilled, a grilled cheese restaurant with over a dozen locations throughout Ohio. The original location is in Lakewood, which is where the challenge was undertaken by Man v Food host Adam Richman, putting the Melt Challenge on the national food stage.

If you're thinking of taking on the Melt Challenge, be warned: it has a whopping 91-92% failure rate. But if you're one of the few who can conquer this cheesy task, you'll be rewarded with a place in the Melt Challenge Hall of Fame, a Melt t-shirt or pint glass, a $10 gift card, and bragging rights.

So, what kind of cheeses are in this mammoth sandwich? Unfortunately, the exact cheeses remain a closely guarded secret. However, with 12-13 different varieties, you can expect a range of flavours and textures to excite (or overwhelm) your taste buds.

Do you have what it takes to become a grilled cheese legend? Only one way to find out...

Melt Bar & Grilled's owner Matt Fish doesn't recommend the challenge

The Melt Challenge at Melt Bar & Grilled is not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach. Owner Matt Fish does not recommend taking on the challenge, which consists of a whopping 5-pound grilled cheese sandwich with 12-13 different types of cheese, 3 slices of grilled bread, a pile of fries, coleslaw, and pickles. This behemoth of a meal is a daunting task, even for the most avid cheese lover.

Fish describes the challenge as "daunting" and like "four sandwiches put together." He has no desire to attempt it himself, and suggests that it is better to split it between a group of four. A normal Melt sandwich has 4 ounces of cheese, while the Melt Challenge has a staggering 3.25 pounds of cheese—more than enough to satisfy a group.

The challenge is not just about the cheese, but also the sheer volume of food. It includes a hefty serving of French fries, coleslaw, and pickles, making it a carb-loaded feast. The rules are simple: finish it all without any help or trips to the bathroom. However, the challenge is not a race, and participants are allowed to take their time.

Despite the daunting nature of the challenge, it has attracted many brave souls willing to give it a go. Out of the 50 to 60 people who have attempted it, only 9 have succeeded and earned a spot on Melt's online wall of fame. While it may be tempting to tackle this cheesy mountain, Fish's advice is to share it with friends and enjoy the experience together.

The Melt Challenge has become a legendary feat, with only a few grilled cheese fanatics conquering it. It's not just about the cheese, but also about having the guts to take on such a massive meal. So, while it may be tempting to try, remember that even the owner of Melt Bar & Grilled recommends sharing and enjoying this challenge with a group.

Melt Challenge rewards: T-shirt, $10 gift card, a pint glass, and high-fives from staff

Melt Bar & Grilled's Melt Challenge is not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach. Weighing in at five pounds, this cheesy behemoth consists of 12-13 different cheeses, three slices of grilled bread, a mountain of fries, coleslaw, and pickles. It's so daunting that 92% of challengers fail to finish it. But for those brave souls who do conquer this cheesy mountain, the rewards are well worth the effort.

First up, you get to etch your name into cheesy lore, joining the elite few who have completed the challenge. But that's not all. As a token of their admiration, Melt Bar & Grilled offers a range of rewards to honour your achievement. You'll receive a coveted Melt Challenge T-shirt, which serves as a badge of honour and a lasting reminder of your cheesy conquest. But that's not all—you'll also be gifted a $10 gift card, which you can use to indulge in more grilled cheese delights or try other mouthwatering options on their menu.

The rewards don't stop there. You'll be able to quench your thirst with a refreshing beverage in a complimentary pint glass, a perfect memento to raise in celebration of your victory. And last but not least, you'll be greeted with high-fives and cheers from the staff, who will applaud your impressive feat. Their enthusiasm and admiration will surely make you feel like a grilled cheese champion.

So, if you're feeling adventurous and have a stomach of steel, step up to the plate and take on the Melt Challenge. The cheesy rewards—in every sense of the word—are definitely worth the effort. Just remember to pace yourself, employ a strategic eating approach, and maybe skip that big breakfast before tackling this monster of a meal.

Melt Challenge inventor Alex Kniceley drank lemon juice to break down the food

The Melt Challenge is not for the faint-hearted. This cheesy task involves consuming a whopping 5-pound grilled cheese sandwich, consisting of three slices of grilled bread and 12-13 different types of cheese. The challenge also includes a side of french fries, slaw, and pickles. It's so daunting that 92% of those who attempt it fail miserably.

The inventor of this challenge, Alex Kniceley, is a brave soul who has completed the Melt Challenge not once but twice. After his first victory, Kniceley received the standard rewards: a Melt T-shirt and a $10 gift card. But what about the second time? Well, the employees were stumped; they didn't know what else to give him. So, Kniceley proposed something unique: "How about work?" he asked. And that's how he landed a job at Melt Bar & Grilled, the birthplace of this cheesy challenge.

Kniceley had his own special tactics for tackling the Melt Challenge. Instead of washing down the monstrous sandwich with a beverage, he opted for a cup full of lemons. Why lemons, you ask? Well, according to Kniceley, lemons provide two key benefits. Firstly, they keep you hydrated, which is crucial when consuming such a large quantity of food. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, lemon juice helps to break down the food. This aids digestion and might just give you the edge you need to conquer the Melt Challenge.

So, if you're feeling adventurous and want to take on the Melt Challenge, remember to keep a cup of lemon juice by your side. It might just be the secret weapon you need to join the elite few who have conquered this cheesy mountain.

Melt Bar & Grilled has 13 types of cheese

Melt Bar & Grilled is a restaurant chain with locations across Ohio. It was founded by Cleveland musician and chef Matthew Fish, who wanted to open a restaurant that was "completely different than anything in the city". Fish has said:

> "Grilled cheese was always a big part of my life and I had always dabbled in making unique grilled-type sandwiches with tons of great cheese."

The chain has gained national recognition, featuring on the Travel Channel's Man vs. Food and Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. It is particularly famous for its Melt Challenge, which consists of a five-pound grilled cheese sandwich with 13 different types of cheese and three slices of grilled bread. The challenge also includes a large helping of fries, coleslaw, and pickles.

While the exact 13 types of cheese used in the challenge are not publicly known, Melt Bar & Grilled offers a wide variety of cheeses across its menu. These include:

• Sharp cheddar
• Muenster
• Provolone
• American
• Swiss
• Romano
• Herb cream cheese
• Parmesan
• Gouda
• Colby Longhorn
• New Hampshire sharp cheddar
• Marin County CA mountain cheese
• Local bakery fresh sliced sourdough cheese

In addition to its signature grilled cheese sandwiches, Melt Bar & Grilled offers a range of other options, including starters, snacks, soups, salads, burgers, and sides. The restaurant also has an extensive drinks menu, featuring signature cocktails and a revolving draft list.

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