Melt does not take reservations. And it doesn't matter what time you go... if you want a table, you'll be waiting for an hour or more. But they make waiting fun - instead of you giving them your name, you get to pick the name of your reservation by pulling a name tag from a large pumpkin (e.g. "Pookie" or "Dr. Claw").
Here are some tips to get seated quickly - go at off-hours or off-dates like Halloween. Get there at 10:55 to eat at 11:00 am when they open. Or vulture your way to a spot at the bar. That's how I've been seated in under 15 minutes every time I've gone since Melt got popular.
The beer list is great. The bar is awesome. The staff is friendly. The atmosphere is fun. And then there's the grub.
I'd like to rate the food twice, because that's how many full meals I got out of my single-sandwich order. The portions are supergargantuanormous. Most sandwiches are cooked on inch-thick texas toast and are substantially filled with cheesy goodness. The fries are fresh cut and piled high. The slaw is vinegar-based and is a great complement to both the fries and the sandwich. So if my rating were on the food alone, I'd give it 6 of 5 stars served fresh, and 5 of 5 stars on day 2.
You can't go wrong with any sandwich. My personal favorite is the Big Popper - jalapenos in herbed crème cheese, in a sandwich that is breaded and deep-fried (like a Monte Cristo), served with a raspberry jam to dip it in. You can also create your own sandwich, or modify any of their options to tailor the taste to your particular palate.
Melt has quickly become a Cleveland legend. If it weren't for the wait, I'd give it 5 stars.