I mentioned a few days ago that we had some new businesses opening in Long Branch. Melt, located on the south side of Lakeshore, between 27th and 28th Streets, had their unofficial opening today.

Tuffy P was up in Richmond Hill this evening, visiting her dad, so I stopped in on the way home from work for a sandwich.

The place looks good. The atmosphere is friendly. The menu is simple with a good variety of choices. I ordered the Hog Heaven sandwich: braised chipotle pork, Mac ‘n Cheese (really!), crispy purple slaw, cheddar and jalapeno havarti. I had it on rye with a side of fries. Fries were on the house today.

My sandwich was excellent. I really enjoyed the contrast in textures. The crispy purple slaw was a nice touch, and so was the mac ‘n cheese. It came served up in a cardboard basket with the fries, and the sandwich came very hot and melty. The fries were good, although I confess I have a personal preference for thicker cut fries.

For me and Tuffy P, Melt will come in handy for those days when we want something quick and tasty and not too expensive – and we don’t want to cook. There’s parking right in front and it will be a nice place to stop in on the way home from work. For those not from Long Branch, be sure to put something in the parking meter. Parking guys are fierce in this neighbourhood.

I hope Melt is able to attract plenty of customers and thrive in Long Branch. I really welcome new businesses to our area. The Lakeshore strip is in need of revitalization. There have been a number of food places open in the area since Tuffy P and I moved in. There is Woody’s Burgers and the Empanada Company and Pacos Kitchen and the fish place (yikes I don’t know it’s name….time to pay them a visit!) – all at the west end of Long Branch near Brown’s Line. Further east, Baba Ali closed it’s doors. A new bakery has just opened (haven’t visited yet) in that space, and now Melt has opened up a little further east.

Next time I visit Melt, I might have the Tattooed Chicken, the Spinach Pie or the Smashed Meatball, and just for scientific purposes, I may sample the Poutine.