The Meltdown Grilled Cheese and Tap Room — Restaurant in Barre City

Another afternoon early dinner at The Meltdown This time I had the good fortune of having one of my besties visiting and so she got to experience the Meltdown with me.

I knew that today I was not going to be getting a grilled cheese because I wanted to experience some of the other menu items. I went to order a bowl of the famous Del's tomato soup and was told by my (very funny) waitress that they now had flights of soup. Flights of SOUP?!?! Sign me up!!! I had to pick from the four choices of soup (Cheddar Ale, Minestrone, Del's Tomato or the special of the week, with fresh local Paquet Farm's corn, Corn Chowder). I skipped the Minestrone for the three creamy soups and then ordered some fries to go with it all. My friend got a regular grilled cheese but started her meal off with a bowl of Cheddar Ale soup as well.

Oh! I also forgot....I was seated outside for the first time (my choice) and it was glorious...the weather was perfect for it and the atmosphere on their deck is amazing. You can see the main street of Barre but forget its there with the greenery and beautiful stonework. My bff ordered a Maple Breakfast Stout and I stuck with a diet soda. Her stout was gorgeous when it was arrived at the table....dark and it looked so creamy. Definitely a meal in itself!!!

When my flight arrived, I was first taken aback. The little containers of soup looked SO tiny!! Me being the strong eater that I am, I felt like I was going to be left wanting. I was VERY wrong. My first try was the Cheddar Ale. If you have ever had Cheddar Ale anywhere else......forget about it. Go try the Meltdown's. The soup had that slight ale taste that catches the saltiness of the cheese and cream just right. It is warm and creamy and a perfect selection for a breezy afternoon. I could imagine myself eating this inside the Meltdown this winter in front of their fireplace - enjoying a beer with it. I also was quite surprised at the amount of soup in those containers. It was quite a few spoonfuls and JUST the right amount to save enough room for the other soups. The second soup I sampled was the Corn Chowder. This was advertised on their Facebook page because it featured a local farm's (Paquet Farm) corn. I am not exaggerating when I tell you that it was the BEST Corn Chowder I've ever had. It was rich and creamy and stacked with potatoes and corn and onion. The pepper seasoning was done to perfection and brought out just the right amount of spice within the soup. I wanted so much more of this soup....like a pot of it. But the amount I had satisfied me for the time being 🙂 (Dear Meltdown: Please keep this as an option.). My last soup was the one I had planned on just getting a bowl of. Del's Famous Cream of Tomato Soup. I am a huge fan of this kind of soup. It reminds me of cold winter days with my mom and dad. They would grill cheese, make some cream of tomato soup and serve it with saltines warmed in the oven with butter. The second I tasted the Meltdown's version of this favorite of mine....I knew I had come home. The fresh tomato taste was the first thing I noticed. It was sharp and fragrant and seasoned just right. I could eat my way through this soup day after day. I will definitely get these soups again.

Another wonderful experience at The Meltdown. The staff is always smiley and laughing (and it's not put on...they seem really happy to work there) and the owners are always checking with customers to make sure that everything is perfect. Thanks, Meltdown for another...

If I could give this restaurant 10 stars, I would. It is by far our favorite restaurant in the area. The owners, John and Diane are both class acts. They are fairly new to the restaurant business, but when you dine in you feel like this has been a 20+ year business. Diane is always out waiting tables when they are needing help, greeting customers and interacting with all guests as though she has known them her entire life. They make you feel welcome the moment you walk in. John is always in the kitchen working hard to help prepare the amazing meals they serve. Most restaurant owners do not even lift a finger to clean a table. John and Diane are the real deal. It is always apparent that they treat their employees well, which makes for an even more pleasant experience when dining in. They are fully committed to making everyone’s experiences amazing. The food is outstanding. These are not “just grilled cheeses you can make at home”, however gourmet grilled cheeses, salads, appetizers, phenomenal Mac and cheese, soups, chicken tenders and fries and the best restaurant desserts in town. They really focus on the quality of food over the ridiculous quantity most restaurants try to market.

A lot of the time they have spent in the restaurant business has been during a pandemic. I commend them on how hard they have worked to keep their business OPEN during this time. They are providing meals to the public, keeping steady hours, AND offering stable employment for their employees. This was all incredibly hard to come by during the tough times our country has faced in the last year and a half. During the times they were short handed, they both worked hard to ensure patrons needs were being met.

There is always going to be criticism in running a business. It is unfortunate when that happens, especially when situations completely out of control of the owners, such as noise from other guests, result in a bad review for a restaurant that puts 110% in every day to ensure patrons are happy with their experience.

John and Diane are both hard working individuals who are motivated to do what is right. They are good people. The kind that you want to be around and you want to know. I am truly lucky to have the experiences I have every time I am at...

We went here when it first opened, and it was great, but hadn't been back for quite some time just because we've been busy and gone constantly. (Teens in travel sports!) We finally found time on a recent Saturday. A few things stick out as a business owner. First off, I was greeted right off by a friendly person with a smile. They were very busy and oftentimes I find when restaurants are busy, they greet you like you're a nuisance; not the case here. Super friendly and inviting. I didn't get told how long it would be, like I should be impressed by that; I got told that they'd find a way to get me in shortly. I appreciate this kind of attitude. Once I sat down, I was just really struck by how clean the place was. I started looking around and it's just spotless, everywhere. I'm a male and generally to me clean just means not cluttered. So for me to actually notice how incredibly clean everything was, says something. Then I saw the tap list! If I'm not mistaken there was somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 beers on tap, including world renowned breweries like Hill Farmstead. Tap room? Ok they were serious. When you go to a place like this and read their soup options, it's incredibly difficult to pick just one. Then I noticed they have a soup flight! Are you kidding me? What an idea. They were all amazing, but the corn chowder was the best I've ever had. Everything was SO good. I think people can assume that because the name is "Grill Cheese and Tap Room" that it will be inexpensive. You should expect this to cost about the same as going out to eat anywhere else. Everything is homemade, and homemade isn't "cheap." I don't like "cheap"...I like value, and they offer a great value. If you want cheap you can go to a national chain, and your insides will know that you ate "cheap" an hour later. This place leaves you feeling like grandma fed you a nice home cooked meal, which matches the warm, cozy ambience. I love it. Keep up the great...