Nothing causes more craziness in Culver City these days than a new place to have lunch. You’d think the Beatles had come to town. Those guys at Sony make lines that wrap around the block. In a few months, the lines calm down and then the rest of us can come in. I’ve been to Melt Down a couple of times now. It’s a small place with an open kitchen and mostly outdoor seating, decorated sparely in black and stainless steal. The service is a real treat, very attentive. You place your order and they bring you your food. The menu is pretty varied for someplace that basically only serves grilled cheese sandwiches.

If you want a straight up, like Mom used to make it, grilled cheese, head over to S&W on the other side of the island, but if you want cheese with flair--different cheese--then Melt Down is the place for you. I had their three cheese grilled cheese (fontina, cheddar and muenster) and it’s good. Very melty and sour and the perfect accompaniment to the sour-sweet of the tomato soup I ordered. The bread was a little rough on the roof of my mouth, but these things happen. I also tried the turkey, which was on wheat with mozzarella and spinach. At first, it’s dominated by the sweet mustard in it, but it has a very nice finish to it.

They also serve breakfast sandwiches, and there’s a sweet sandwich section I would definitely like to check out (brie with apricots on walnut bread? Hell yes!) And another special I saw one time but didn’t get – mascarpone and berries on challah. Should’ve gotten it while I had the chance!

Melt Down is finally open on Saturdays, but isn’t open for dinner (even on Thursdays in the summer, when the late afternoon jazz would bring them some brisk business).

Melt Down
9739 Culver Boulevard, Culver City

Photos by Jacy for LAist