Who moved your cheese? Comfort-food restaurant chain coming to North Augusta, Aiken

Joe Hotchkiss, Augusta Chronicle
·2 min read
The Bananas Foster Melt is a signature dessert sandwich on the menu at Melty, an emerging gourmet-sandwich franchise with extra cheese.
The Bananas Foster Melt is a signature dessert sandwich on the menu at Melty, an emerging gourmet-sandwich franchise with extra cheese.

Josh Keaton thinks he’s found South Carolina’s melting point.

The food-service veteran is helping bring an emerging comfort-food franchise to the Augusta area that taps into American diners’ enduring love of cheese.

Keaton is developing two locations for the gourmet-sandwich restaurant Melty – in North Augusta, in the new Beacon Bluff development, and in Aiken Mall.

Melty began in 2012 as Melty Way with locations in Utah, and a couple of years ago it started offering franchises under the shortened name.

The family-friendly style drew Keaton to Melty. He has spent 27 years in the restaurant business with training ranging from entry-level fast food to Paris’ legendary Ritz-Escoffier culinary school.

“I really, really fell in love with the concept, just the simplicity of it, the quality of the food,” he said. “It seemed like a concept that could do well in different settings.”

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Melty’s menu is filled with familiar names, but the tastes are new. There is no such item as a “regular” grilled cheese sandwich, at least on the adult menu. The most basic it gets is the double-decker Four Cheese Melt with sharp provolone, Fontina, Havarti and sharp cheddar.

The Jalapeño Popper sandwich adds a spicy kick. Instead of being served open-faced, the Caprese melts fresh, whole-milk mozzarella between toasted bread slices with tomatoes, basil pesto and balsamic glaze with Parmesan crust.

Melty's Mac and Cheese Bites come with a bowl of tomato soup. Vegetarians aren’t left hanging, either – the restaurant offers other soups, mixed greens, chicken Caesar or chef’s salads. There also are French fries and Tater Tots, which are available without added cheese, but at a place called Melty the fresh cheeses are recommended.

Melty began in Utah as Melty Way but a couple of years ago began offering franchise opportunities.
Melty began in Utah as Melty Way but a couple of years ago began offering franchise opportunities.

Desserts include the Brookie, a combination brownie and chocolate chip cookie, and hollow Funnel Cake Fries with a choice of cream cheese, chocolate or caramel dipping sauces.

If the phrase “dessert sandwich” piques your interest, try the Bananas Foster Melt, which is a saucy, toasty take on the classic dish.

“It’s just a unique sandwich, but it has great flavor and it’s just something you don’t see,” Keaton said.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: north augusta, aiken getting comfort food sandwich restaurant