MELTwich: more than a great grilled cheese

For a lot of people a grilled cheese sandwich is simple comfort food and according to owner Arvind Birk a growing number of Guelphites are finding that comfort at the MELTwich Food Co. on Gordon Street.

“We opened (Jan. 27) and we haven’t really done any advertising yet but the response has been good,” said Birk.  “There has been a steady increase in customers.  Lunch time is our best and busiest time.”

Birk is no stranger to the restaurant business here in Guelph. He and business partner Tarsem Mangat opened Mucho Burrito on Edinburgh Road in October 2013.

“When I opened Mucho Burrito, I recognized the demand for this kind of restaurant here,” he said. “MELTwich is a fast growing, up and coming Canadian brand with locations opening up across the country.”

Birk and Mangat partnered with Mucho Burrito’s operations manager Hitesh Panchal to open the franchise on Gordon Street and construction is underway for another MELTwich location on Clair Road

“That should be opening in the next six to eight weeks,” said Birk. “It may be before that if all goes well.”

He said the opening of the Gordon Street location was delayed due to construction issues and scheduling problems with contractors.

“It has been a bit of a learning curve,” he said.

The restaurant on Gordon Street at the former site of the Arena Bar and Grill is close to the downtown core and the University of Guelph.

“I was told to expect university students to be our biggest customers but it has actually been families,” said Birk  “Families are our biggest customers in both restaurants.”

He believes that families are attracted by their affordable prices and the variety of options on the menu.

“We are known for our selection of grilled cheese sandwiches but we have wraps, soups and salads, burgers, poutine, Philly cheese steaks and other items,” he said. “Most people don’t want to eat a grill cheese sandwich for dinner.”