Melt Crafted Grilled Cheese Coming Soon to Boynton Beach

The grilled cheese is one sandwich that's been around a while. Of course, something as simple as toasted bread and melted cheese can be one of the easiest meals to make.

Yet, despite its basic construction, it can go from comfort food to gourmet fare with a few added touches. So the idea to open a restaurant that does nothing but perfect this satisfying creation sounds like a good one, right?

If that sounds good to you, look no further than Melt Crafted Grilled Cheese in Boynton Beach. According to Craig Larson, owner and founder of Melt, this won't be your grandma's grilled cheese.

Instead, think of it as grown-up grilled cheese -- with a twist.

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Melt Crafted Grilled Cheese opens Thursday, October 16, in the Renaissance Center on the southeast corner of Congress Avenue and Gateway Boulevard in Boynton Beach.

Melt follows the fast-casual model, from the quirky interior design to the way you order your food. Here, you have the option to "create your own melt" assembly-line style. First, choose your bread: country white, multigrain, challah, rye, or hoagie. Next, your cheese: American, Swiss, cheddar, Provolone, mozzarella, Havarti, Gouda, pepper jack, Muenster -- even goat cheese. Prices start at $5.99 (add a slice of tomato for 50 cents).

Or choose from one of the menu's already tried-and-tested "crafted" grilled cheese sandwiches, each prepared on custom-designed sandwich presses. Specialty and ultimate melts are priced at $6.99 to $7.99 and include the French Onion, packed with caramelized onions, Parmesan, and Swiss cheese on thick-cut country white bread. The Caprese includes mozzarella, tomato, basil pesto, and a balsamic glaze.

More crafty melts have a few more ingredients, like the Turkey Florentine with roasted turkey breast, creamed spinach, red onion, and Muenster on multigrain bread. There's even a cheese-forward Cuban with slow-cooked pulled pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickle chips, and mustard on a hoagie roll for a traditional take that still qualifies as a grilled cheese.

Of course, if cheese isn't your thing, there are still a few gluten- and lactose-free options. The menu also offers chopped salad bowls, a number of fries, and homemade from-scratch soups. And for dessert: a combination of melted chocolate, marshmallows, and crushed graham crackers on challah bread.

But if cheese isn't your thing, you're in the wrong spot, down to the dairy decor. The rustic, cheese-inspired interior features a cheese grater chandelier, American cheese-colored subway tile, and "melt" branded butcher block tables. An extra ode to the lactose-tolerant: a giant grilled-cheese-themed mural created by local artist Ruben Ubiera.

The concept is part of Crazy From the Heat Restaurants Inc., which Larson established in 1987 to develop numerous restaurants including Lucille's Bad to the Bone BBQ's in Boca Raton and Boynton Beach, Lucille's American Cafe in Weston, and Bistro Zenith in Boca Raton (now closed).

Melt Crafted Grilled Cheese is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. The restaurant is located at 1880 N. Congress Avenue, Boynton Beach. Visit meltcgc.com, or call 561-742-7449.

Nicole Danna is a food blogger covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on Clean Plate's Instagram.