Karachi, proudly has its entire host of burger-joints, with many other eateries mushrooming across its foodscape. But do they all live up to the hype they manifest on social media? We put this to test by dropping by at The Melt last week. I confess that I was lured here with the promise of their dreamy cheese dribble, appetising enough to land you in food coma instantaneously. Spacious seating area with quirky walls dedicated to burger-graffiti and slogans spins a fun vibe into the place. Tall barstools overlooking the glass wall had early diners digging into cheesy burgers. I ploughed through their menu, expecting to simply find a couple of burger and appetiser choices to baffle a diner, instead I realised they have more to offer than just burger lovers. Turns out they have all-day breakfast, selections of chicken and beef steaks, sandwiches, pastas and even pizzas! I ordered Parmesan Chicken from their ‘Fresh Cut Chicken’ section while my colleague being a burger fanatic went for their house special, The Melt burger. Our server encouraged us to try something from their pasta section, so we settled for the good old Alfredo and Turkey Wraps for starters. In a short wait of 10 minutes, our appetisers landed on the table – well-seasoned turkey strips swathed in delectable in-house barbecue sauce loaded with veggies, made for a good appetiser to begin the early dinner with. Kudos to their speedy service, we were just finishing on the wraps when piping hot pastaand chicken entree arrived. Initially I was bit put off by its serving size which was considerably less, but forking into its creamy goodness, all qualms were forgotten. Succulent, grilled pieces of chicken topped the fettucine with shaving of parmesan cheese – making a sight for sore eyes. Our server arrived with a tray of steaming melted cheese and with a practiced flourish, dribbled it all over the breaded chicken, almost inducing a famished sigh from us, the onlookers. I indulgently savoured the chicken steak which arrived on a bed of mildly-salted mashed potatoes, with crusted chicken making for delicious morsels, along with toasted whole garlic. Accompanied with garlic flavoured rice and sautéed veggies, the chicken steak was an ultimate hit on the table. Saving the best for the last – The Melt Burger came to the table in a tin tray; a double patty in a square bun stacked with lettuce, tomatoes and cheese and to stay true to the name, topped with melted cheese sauce live. Too big to handle with hands, we dug in with knives and forks. The beef patty was well-marinated and grilled to perfection, locking in its juices. The highlight for me was the bun. Soft and moist, the bread was light and kept glutinous guilt at bay. By this time we were too stuffed to even contemplate about desserts and had blissfully slipped into food coma, induced by the most gastronomically gratifying burger we had in a long time.

Location: Khayban-e-Bukhari
Average cost: Rs 1700 to 2000

TASTE: 4 Stars

We went to The Melt for their famed, signature burgers and walked out as their steak fans.

SERVICE: 4 Stars

The servers show an eagerness to tend to customer’s concerns and give the best recommendations from the menu.

AMBIENCE: 4 Stars

The ambience of an eatery for sure contributes to the overall experience one can have, we enjoyed our time in a very calm and pleasant environment. 

PRESENTATION: 4 Stars

I admit, my burger made for one good looking meal! Everything from the sesame encrusted buns, to the beef patty, lettuce, sauces and cheese appeared to be curated with love.

VALUE FOR MONEY: 3 Stars

The only area where I felt the eatery faltered was their serving sizes. Burger aside, I felt for the price they could have been a little more generous with the serving. For the taste, all prices seemed justified.