Ok, ok Matt - I am glad you decided to come back. At first glance the menu and vibe is very much like Melt - which is the true heart of the start of it all. Providing offerings of all types, having options that make your mouth water as you read through the them is a common feeling. I will circle back around to the food. I did like the menu being a bit small as it was extremely hard to decide what to go with. Small menu means he is keeping it fresh. The prices vary, but it is truly hard to determine what is priced to high or just right in the current economy. But I would said it is on par with other like minded establishments in the area. The back yard dining experience is a special kind of experience that is a must on a cool summer night in the CLE. Table seating throughout with a cozy bar which I could see myself sitting at in the near future. Service was fast and pleasant. We stopped in on the later side and everyone welcomed us and thanked us as we left. No one denied service and no one tried to rush us out. Now to the drinks - cocktails brought on a new touch of things using fresh herbs and average pricing. Selection of local beers and NA, along with small selection of wines. The main star of the show was the food! Wow! I had a hard time deciding from a Melt classic and something new because the something new sounded amazing. But I pivoted for this time and went with the classic Cleveland cheesesteak. But... I went with the vegetarian version which was not satin but smoked tofu. It was so dang good with the chipotle mayo drizzle on top. Yup - that is correct smoked tofu. While sitting in the back patio we did notice the new smoking the corner. I only could imagine what goodness will come out of that. My sandwich was huge, as it should be for the price but I an't going to lie, I got two meals out of that big boy! And I couldn't wait to eat the second half - it was calling my name all morning. Did I mention the smoked tofu - lol. Ok ok. My guys got food to and they loved it as well. If you got this far, all I have to say is don't look any further and get your butt in a chair and start getting your grub on. I am sure you will not be disappointed. Cheers! read more

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An accidental visit that turned out to be a pleasant surprise. As a couple of friends and I were out on a motorcycle ride, we decided to stop for dinner at a near east side spot on the lake. However, when we arrived we were given a 45-minute wait. We were starving so we decided to find another place. I did a quick search on my phone and decided that Proof looked interesting and was close enough. We rode over and upon walking in was immediately greeted by someone who looked very familiar and I was pretty sure I recognized. We asked for a table in their back patio - a great outdoor space, btw. After looking through the menu and recognized at least a couple of menu items I've eaten before (even though it was my first time here), I put 2 and 2 together. That "someone" who greeted us was Matt Fish, of the former Melt fame. The total dead giveaway on the menu was The Parmageddon. I'm an eastsider and used to take my family and friends who would visit from out of town to the former Melt in Cleveland Heights. Whenever visitors said they wanted Cleveland food... well, Melt! We also liked to visit the former Rockside Rd. location after riding out bicycles on the towpath. Was super bummed when they decided to close all locations. Had no idea that Melt had resurfaced as Proof! Not as extensive a menu as Melt, but with a selection of new and different items, and a pretty chill vibe - I hope Proof sticks around for a long while. I think they will. I had the spring chicken - a generous portion of breaded and perfectly fried, crispy and juicy breast with agave chili and lemongrass glaze, honey lime slaw, and picked jalapenos... paired with Fat Head's bumbleberry beer, it was easily one of the best chicken sandwiches I've ever eaten!!! On the way out, I complained to Matt that it was the worst sandwich I've ever had, but that I'll be back! read more

Proof Public House - Spring Chicken - Bars Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

We got to visit the "new" Proof for the first time this evening. We live in the neighborhood and have eagerly been awaiting the opening. In general, we weren't disappointed. Ambience - I like what they've done with the place. Very eclectic. Unique. Good vibes. Service - Solid. Quick and reliable. Very friendly. Great! Food - Good to Very good. Spring chicken sandwich was awesome. Great jalapeno slaw. Cleveland cheese steak was fine - nothing special. Fries were great - perfect crispness and seasoning. Price - Not great. Wiith these prices, I don't think they'll survive in the area. They're charging Soho prices but they aren't Soho. Most drafts were $9 and not full pours. Sandwiches were over $20 with no sides. Portion sizes were good, but they'd be better off pulling back on that and getting the price point down. We will be back but hope they fine-tune the pricing and portion size. I think they will figure the area out. read more

My friends and I were excited to try this new spot, made reservations for Friday night and luckily we did because it was packed, even the outdoor seating on a hot night. The service was fantastic, our waitress was great always noticing when a water or drink glass was empty. The food was delcious, my specific favorites were the whipped goat cheese with tomato tapenade, fritto misto, and beet muhammara! So good and great portions for appetizers. The one negative comment I'd have was oddly the evening news was playing on the tv, messed with the vibe a bit. But the music was great! I didn't taste any of the cocktails, but my friends enjoyed them and each came with a fun little toy animal that was cute. I hope this place becomes a long time staple and look forward to coming back! read more

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We checked out Proof Public House before a show at Jacob's Pavilion. Everything about our experience was excellent! We asked for an old fashioned, which isn't on the menu, but they were happy to make. We had the banh mi sandwich special with the honey lime coleslaw as a side and the buffalo parm wings with a side salad. Portions were huge, and we easily could've split anything and everything, including the sides! From the staff to the drinks and food and music playing, we enjoyed it all and will definitely go back. read more

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Sat at the bar on opening night and had a great time with the staff. The bartenders were knowledgeable about all things menu related and cocktails related. The flavors that Matt Fish's new menu incorporated not only go well together but bring something fresh to CLE. He knocked it out of the park. Safe to say I will be back because I must try the Ramen Risotto. Side note. The fresh cut fries are actually fresh cut fries I think. Oh and the decor is fun and very CLE. read more

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A great mix of the old with the new food/decorations . As you all remember the iconic Melt Bar & Grilled . Matt Fish's new spot is right on the Lorain Ave . For old times I ordered the classic Parmageddon sandwich and quite honestly it was even better than I remembered it . The lemongrass wings were fantastic annnnnd the chocolate chip cookies hit the spot . Highly recommend his new restaurant. Will be back soon to try out new dishes with the welcoming / knowledgeable staff . This newly renovated restaurant also has an outdoor patio . Excited for Fish's new chapter with Proof Public House . Just like I was a regular at Melt , I can confidently say I'll be a regular here as well . read more

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Ceiling leaking over our table. Photos attached on the food. The $22 shaved ribeye had VERY little meat. I asked the server if I was given the VA option? She said no. All mushrooms, peppers, onions and cheese. Which was expected but little shaved ribeye. Will not be going back. Bad neighborhood too. read more

Proof Public House - Shaved ribeye for $22...it was all mushrooms and peppers onions and cheese. Very disappointed. - Bars Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

I swung by Proof this afternoon for a late lunch/early dinner, and am so glad I did. Naturally, I had to try the Parmageddon on my first visit to see how it compared to Melt, and I added the caramelized onions to it. The verdict? Excellent. I agree with Jonathan O, it was even better than I expected, and it was larger in real life than his picture makes it appear. The caramelized onions were worth the $1 upcharge, and at $15 with the onions, it was a really solid value of a sandwich. I also got the daily grain, which was the lentils from the dal makhani ($5). And wow! They were super flavorful, and the serving size was generous. I would absolutely get them as a side again, and now need to go back to try the full dal makhani. I'd been doing physical activity most of the afternoon, so I went with the house made lemonade to drink. It was noticeably tart yet also somewhat sweet. Maybe just a little bit of both for my tastes, but still pretty good and far better than fountain lemonade. I agree with Mark G that the beer prices appear high at first glance, but I think it's the selection of the ones on tap causing that effect. The Market Garden Maibock is only 50 cents more than at Market Garden, and is the most expensive one at Market Garden. A Great Lakes Dortmunder is $5.50 at Proof, and I think having an option like that on tap would balance the price points. The atmosphere is reminiscent of Proof, with new art on the walls and a bit of a refresh, but the layout is quite similar. And that's a good thing - the parts that weren't broke haven't been fixed. The food arrived without too much of a wait, and the server was friendly if not super sociable. Staffing levels were good - I suspect they are busiest at dinner time - and Matt Fish was there and visible. All in all, really good, especially so soon after opening, and I'm hopeful they'll be there for the long haul. I'll definitely be back, and have already recommended it to friends. read more

I mean this sincerely and from the bottom of my heart. I was having a terrible day. I scraped my new truck in the pouring rain, I barely got any sleep, and I'm super behind at work. But then, i tried these wings. These are the best chicken wings I have ever eaten and it's not even close. Thanks for un-ruining my bad day! read more