What happens when a Silicon Valley tech entrepreneur who created the revolutionary Flip camcorder decides to disrupt the fast-food industry? 🍔
You get The Melt, a California-based chain that transformed grilled cheese nostalgia and burgers into a modern comfort food experience.
Opening in Folsom’s Palladio shopping center in March 2023, this location brings the brand’s signature Angus-Wagyu beef blend burgers, melty grilled cheese sandwiches, and hand-spun milkshakes to Sacramento County diners looking for quality fast-casual food without artificial preservatives.
How The Melt won Folsom hearts
The Melt’s journey began in 2011 when Jonathan Kaplan, fresh off selling his Flip camera company to Cisco for $590 million, decided to reimagine grilled cheese sandwiches and soup using high-tech ovens and smartphone ordering.
Backed by venture capital heavyweights like Sequoia Capital, the concept initially focused purely on grilled cheese before expanding the menu in 2014 to include burgers and fries—a decision that powered double-digit sales growth. 🚀
When The Melt arrived at Folsom’s Palladio in early 2023, locals immediately embraced the commitment to all-natural ingredients.
Every burger features more than a third-pound of signature Angus and Wagyu beef that’s chopped, grilled, and filled with loads of melted cheese—creating that signature gooey interior that customers rave about.
The nostalgic grilled cheese offerings became instant favorites, particularly among families seeking elevated comfort food.
Customer reviews consistently praise the Three Cheese Classic paired with creamy tomato soup, describing it as the perfect throwback to childhood lunches but executed with premium ingredients and technique. 🧀
Late-night hours gave The Melt a significant advantage in the Folsom area.
Staying open until 11 PM on weekdays and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays made it a go-to destination for post-movie meals, late dinners after shopping at Palladio, and satisfying those after-hours cravings when other options had closed.
The gorgeous outdoor patio at the Palladio location became a summer favorite, offering the perfect spot to enjoy MeltBurgers and shakes while soaking up California sunshine and the bustling shopping center atmosphere.
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Perhaps most importantly, The Melt won hearts through consistently executed quality.
Reviews repeatedly mention burgers cooked to the exact requested doneness with juicy patties that deliver on flavor, and the perfectly crispy yet melty texture that defines the brand’s identity across all 20+ California locations. ✨
Food Highlights
MeltBurger: The signature creation features more than a third-pound of Angus-Wagyu beef blend chopped, grilled and filled with loads of melted cheddar, jalapeños, caramelized onions, pickles and Melt sauce—customers say they “cried inside how delicious it was” for $12.99. 🍔
BBQ Bacon MeltBurger: This fan-favorite stacks the premium beef blend with melted cheddar, crispy smoked bacon, crunchy onion strings, and Memphis-style BBQ sauce—it’s massive, perfectly cooked, and the cheese melts to absolute perfection for $12.49.
Patty Melt: A classic take on the diner favorite featuring grilled Angus-Wagyu beef, sweet caramelized onions, melted Swiss cheese, and special sauce on grilled artisan bread—customers specifically request their doneness and rave about the kitchen nailing it every time.
Three Cheese Classic: This nostalgic grilled cheese combines sharp cheddar, muenster, and fontina cheeses melted between grilled artisan bread for $9.99—spectacularly gooey, flavorful, and pairs perfectly with tomato soup for ultimate comfort. 🥪
Mac Daddy: The indulgent side features creamy mac ‘n’ cheese loaded with smoked bacon, sharp and medium cheddar cheese—it’s rich, satisfying, and made with all-natural ingredients for just $5.99.
Garlic Parmesan Fries: These legendary fries come tossed in garlic butter, fresh garlic, and shredded Parmesan cheese—they’re insanely good, insanely garlicky, and customers warn you’ll be tasting garlic for hours but it’s totally worth it. 🍟
Atmosphere
The Melt Folsom offers a modern fast-casual environment located in the popular Palladio shopping center across from Barnes & Noble.
The spacious outdoor patio provides gorgeous California weather dining with plenty of seating perfect for families, dates, or solo diners grabbing a quick bite while shopping.
Inside, guests can order from friendly team members or convenient self-order kiosks that streamline the experience, and there’s ample seating with a clean, contemporary vibe.
The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, making it ideal for everything from quick lunches to leisurely dinners, with the late hours ensuring you can satisfy burger cravings well into the night. 🌙
Bottom Line
Visit The Melt for signature Angus-Wagyu beef blend burgers with over a third-pound of premium meat, all-natural ingredients free from artificial preservatives in every dish, nostalgic grilled cheese sandwiches executed to perfection with quality cheeses, late-night hours until midnight on weekends when other options close, and a gorgeous outdoor patio perfect for enjoying California sunshine at the Palladio shopping center. 🎯
Address: 330 Palladio Pkwy, Suite 2023, Folsom, CA 95630
📞 (916) 542-7408