As the game clocks ticked down at M-A and surrounding high school football games, students flocked to their go-to late-night spot: The Melt.
The Melt is a popular gourmet fast food chain that serves cheeseburgers, french fries, milkshakes, and more. Over the years, their neon lights and late hours have cemented the restaurant as a central spot for teens in the area.
“This is the go to spot Friday night post football game. This is the place to be,” senior Williamson Baker said.
“It’s a hot spot for all the high school kids. We get big groups of high school students and the college students here at Stanford,” Assistant Store Manager Nathaniel Delgado said.
Delgado connected The Melt’s popularity to its security for young people. “If you tell your parents you’re at The Melt, they’re probably not gonna have too much of a problem with that, as opposed to being out at a party or something,” he said.
Senior Yara Abuelsorour enjoys going to The Melt for its reliability and widely appealing menu. “I think it’s good comfort food, it’s really consistent. It’s mac and cheese and grilled cheese can’t really go wrong—everyone can agree on it,” she said.
Abuelsorour also appreciates The Melt’s late hours, open from 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. “It’s close and it’s always open late. I think it closes at like three in the morning. So, always a good option,” she said.
Junior Lily Anderson also enjoys the flexibility of The Melt’s hours. “It’s one of my favorite restaurants in Menlo Park, and I love going there with my friends, for dinner, lunch, late night, anytime,” she said. “I love to eat grilled cheese and tomato soup, and sometimes if I can’t afford a tomato soup, then I’ll just get ketchup.”
Junior Mica Podoly goes to The Melt frequently because of its affordability. “They have great food for low prices,” Podoly said. “I think I go to The Melt at least once a week, genuinely it’s my favorite place to go.”
The Melt’s popularity extends far beyond just M-A, with patrons hailing from other nearby schools, including Paly. “The Melt is pretty much just a tradition among our group, we all love to come here for the food and just like to have fun with each other,” Paly senior Scarlett Frick said.
According to Delgado, students occasionally act rowdy at The Melt. “Sometimes they’ll do stuff with the little pagers. Yesterday, they were throwing them up on the roof,” he said. “Sometimes older customers will mind. But personally, I don’t.”
Delgado is proud that The Melt is a safe space for high schoolers. “I think it’s really cool that the students think it’s a cool spot to hang out. Makes me feel proud to work here,” he said.
The Melt continues to be a favorite spot for local high schoolers thanks to its tasty food, late hours, and welcoming atmosphere for customers to socialize and relax. No matter the time or occasion, The Melt continues to bring students together.
