Melt maestro Matt Fish is swapping grilled cheese for hickory smoke in Ohio City, where he is set to open Proof Public House at 4116 Lorain Ave. The roughly 50-seat neighborhood spot is aiming for a June debut and will serve lunch and dinner seven days a week on an all-day menu that Fish says will change with the seasons, and maybe even week to week. At the heart of it all will be a wood-fueled Southern Pride smoker turning out wings, pork butts and even smoked tofu, and yes, the beloved Melt tattoo discount will still score fans a break on the bill.
As reported by Cleveland Scene, Proof Public House will seat just over 50 guests inside and operate every day, with a nimble menu that can pivot frequently. The plan is a low-key, neighborhood-focused bar and kitchen that leans heavily on the smoker and keeps the plates approachable instead of overcomplicated.
From Melt To A New Chapter
Fish built his reputation with Melt Bar & Grilled, the grilled-cheese powerhouse he launched in Lakewood in 2006 and expanded across Northeast Ohio. Melt's recent closures and the chain's decline from a peak footprint help explain why his newest move is a smaller, more flexible project. Instead of chasing high-volume traffic, Proof Public House is designed as a tighter, more intimate operation with a focused menu and service that feels personal rather than sprawling.
Why Ohio City?
The address at 4116 Lorain Ave. sits on a busy Ohio City stretch known for steady restaurant turnover and consistent foot traffic, making it a logical landing spot for a compact, smoke-driven concept. FreshWater Cleveland has tracked previous concepts in the space and the neighborhood's clear appetite for barbecue and casual dining. With roughly 50 seats and a hard-working smoker, Fish is clearly betting on both daytime crowds and regulars looking for a relaxed dinner close to home.
Fish told Cleveland Scene that the target is a June opening, though the exact date and first full menu are still being finalized. For longtime Melt loyalists, the continuing tattoo discount nods to his grilled-cheese legacy, while for Ohio City it signals another chef-driven spot joining an already stacked lineup. Expect more details on the opening day and full menu as Proof Public House gets ready to fire up that smoker this summer.
