Formerly the taco stop, Tú Taco, the Melt Lab has taken over the Student Choice dining space in the Rock Room at Massman Hall for the fall semester. The menu, while relatively simple, presents a gourmet twist to well-known classics, grilled cheese sandwiches and macaroni and cheese. With a wide variety of options, I will be guiding you through a selection of some of the most popular eats.
On my first visit to the Melt Lab, I was in the mood for a sandwich. It was a tough decision with appetizing options such as the Pizza Melt, Spicy Mac Melt, Buffalo Chicken Melt and Sunrise Melt, but ultimately I landed on the Caprese Melt. With fresh tomatoes, sliced mozzarella, nut-free pesto and balsamic vinegar all working together cohesively on seven-grain bread, it provided a sufficient lunch.
The sandwich was prepared efficiently and was warm, gooey and flavorful, capturing the freshness of a Caprese salad with the comforting feel of a grilled cheese. It was the perfect portion size, leaving me feeling satisfied, but not stuffed. I was able to comfortably enjoy my lunch while working on homework in a Rock Room booth.
However, my only complaint was that there was a bit more balsamic vinegar than I would have chosen, throwing off the balance of the flavors and losing a bit of the mozzarella taste. I would give the sandwich an overall rating of 7.5/10.
My second time dining at the Melt Lab was at dinner time, and I opted for a protein-packed meal, the Buffalo Chicken Bowl, as I was in a hungrier mood. This was again a difficult choice with selections like the BBQ Pulled Pork Bowl and the Classic Melt Bowl on the menu. The Buffalo Chicken Bowl, consisting of white cheddar macaroni and cheese, shredded chicken, Frank’s RedHot sauce and green onions, was an order-again item for me.
I took my order back home to enjoy in the comfort of my THV and was pleasantly surprised by the hearty portion I was served. While I finished the bowl, it held me over for the rest of the night. The blend of the spicy buffalo sauce with creamy cheese created a satisfying contrast. The rich cheese helped mellow the heat of the buffalo sauce, making it able to be enjoyed for both spice lovers and those with a milder palate.
My one suggestion to improve this dish would be serving chicken tossed in buffalo sauce, rather than it being drizzled on top. Overall, I would give this bowl a rating of 8.5/10.
While I passed up on the tempting opportunity for sides, the Melt Lab offers three homestyle flavors of soup, chicken noodle, tomato bisque and broccoli cheese, to be paired with your melt. There are also house-made chips, cottage cheese, brownies and cookies available at check-out.
After sampling an item from each category of the Melt Lab’s main entrees, I can confidently say it is a great addition to the Student Choice space. With gooey grilled cheese sandwiches and creamy mac and cheese bowls, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Rockhurst students can visit the Melt Lab Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. using Flex dollars or standard payment methods.
