New Melt opens in Independence

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio - For some, the wait is over. But for others, the wait for a table is just beginning.

Melt Bar & Grilled officially opened in Independence Friday.

A line formed outside the new restaurant before the doors opened at 11 a.m. Tables quickly filled up at lunch time, and it was the same case for the dinner crowd.

The newest location at 6700 Rockside Road seats 120 customers inside and 30 more on the outdoor patio. It's located in the Liberty Commons plaza, near Panera Bread, Verizon Wireless and DiBella's.

If you don't live near any of the three existing Melt locations, in Lakewood, Cleveland Heights or Independence, no worries. A fourth location could be coming soon.

"We definitely have plans to open at least two or three more in the Greater Cleveland area," said owner Matt Fish. "We're eyeballing outside of Cleveland. We're looking at the region right now... at Akron and Columbus pretty strong. Maybe next year, maybe 2014. We're not really sure yet."

Melt and its gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches have been featured on Food Network and The Travel Channel, as well as in USA Today, ESPN the Magazine, The Boston Globe and Fox News Channel.