Melt Welcomes 200th to Quirky Insiders Club

Online, February 23, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Cleveland's now-famous Melt Bar & Grilled will welcome the 200th member of its unique, quirky insiders club this weekend. Since Sept. 1, 2009, diehard fans of Melt's gourmet grilled cheese fare have tattooed the Melt logo on their bodies, not only to pay homage to the super-cool restaurant, but also as a cheesy way to get Melt's 25 percent lifetime discount at both of Melt's Cleveland locations.

The 200th fan who has been inked for the sake of Melt will be announced Friday on Melt's Facebook page.

Melt's tattoo promotion has taken off since its inception about 18 months ago, with everyone from decorated bikers to moms of five getting one of three Melt logos tattooed anywhere on their bodies. The grilled-cheese-and-crossbones logo must appear somewhere in the tattoo, but beyond that, creativity is encouraged.

"I can't believe we've had 200 lovers of Melt take part in our crazy scheme," said Melt owner Matt Fish. "I never thought the promotion would take off like it has, but in a way, it's a real honor to be such of permanent part of someone's life. You have to really love something to have it tattooed on your body, and people really love our restaurant!"

It doesn't hurt that the Melt tattoo promotion and Fish's culinary creations have garnered national media attention from The Food Network, "USA Today," "Esquire" magazine, NBC's "Today" Show, "The Boston Globe," FOX News, The Travel Channel and "Cleveland Magazine."

The tattooed Melt fans have good reason to commit to a 25 percent lifetime discount. The amazing gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, an extensive beer list, funky atmosphere and memorable events are worth it. One of Melt's signature grilled cheese sandwiches, The Parmageddon, (stuffed with cheese-and-potato pierogi, fresh Napa vodka kraut, onions and cheddar cheese, named in honor of Fish's hometown of Parma, Ohio) has been mentioned on the "Late Show with David Letterman." And according to Guy Fieri, host of The Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," "The Parmageddon is incredible! I still think about it, one of the best sandwiches ever, and Matt is truly crazed!"

Matt Fish is no stranger to tattoos, as his body displays well over 35 pieces of work, everything from the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium to several Kiss designs-an eclectic mix of memories.
Late last summer, Melt opened its second location in Cleveland Heights in addition to the original location in Lakewood, Ohio, which opened in 2006. A third location is planned for 2011.

To interview Matt Fish, or for more information on Melt, contact Marcus Fish at [email protected].