Mel's Drive-In

This '50s-inspired diner is the quintessential Hollywood combination of faux reality and nostalgia.

by Contributor at Citysearch

In Short
Made famous by "American Graffiti," the original Mel's in San Francisco was demolished shortly after filming. This local franchise's decor holds enough retro-chic for even a die-hard Gen-Xer, with blow-up movie stills papering the walls and tabletop jukeboxes pulsing 1950s tunes. Mel's serves some classic diner eats like the Famous Melburger, chili fries, and creamy milk shakes. Club kids, shoppers, couples on dates, and families flock here for a quick and casual meal.

04/07/09

Great place

by BritMill87 at Citysearch

We stopped by the other night and had such a fun time! The only thing is that late at night, it gets so busy that there was a wait for a table. But we didn't mind. The milkshakes and the melburger were amazing! I had so much fun here. Definitely worth checking out at least once!

• Pros: Burger, Milkshakes

01/03/09

Good stuff!

by foody555 at Citysearch

It's a great place to go alone if you're hungry! I dig it. The half chicken is really good... and the tuna salad is great.

• Pros: great selection
• Cons: could serve better coffee

04/26/08

not worth the money

by SHITakaPOO at Citysearch

A friend and I used to go to Mel's, I have to say that it was really great. The food was fresh,there were no problems with the service and servers or food.

It has been a year or two since we were there and recently decided to stop in for lunch. the waitresses were good, the fresh squeezed orange juice is to die for, but the food left a lot to be desired. I ordered a Cesar salad with sliced chicken. Some of the lettuce staring at me looked as if it had sat in the dressing, in the refrigerator for a week. We gave them the benefit of doubt and went back today. What I can say is the waitress was the only good thing! I ordered a avocado, tomato,cheese and lettuce sandwich on 9 grain bread. What I got from the kitchen was; bread so stale you could use it for a tennis ball with a couple slices of tomato and one piece of lettuce I sent it back and finally 15 minutes later I had it back with the same bread. My whole meal went that way. Drinks and all.

Prices have been raised and the kitchen doesn't seem to know anything about food. Worse, the guy that pours the orange juice (in his little corner by the kitchen) was so busy flirting with the waitresses he didn't know what side is up. My waitress was even p.o.'d with him!.

Mel's, you have a ways to go.

03/17/08

What Happened to Mel's?

by GatorJAM at Citysearch

I was very disappointed in my recent Mel's experience. I ordered the Corned Beef Hash and it was just bad. Aside from the fact that they cook it with green peppers in the hash and don't list that as an ingredient in the menu, the patty was horribly burnt on both sides. The breakfast potatoes were undercooked and left unindentifiable aftertaste. I love Mel's as the institution that it has always been on Sunset Strip, but they're food really needs to be top qualilty all the time, and that is just not the case.

11/24/07

Great old-fashioned diner with Hollywood swank

by jericsmall at Citysearch

Mel's makes some killer breakfasts. My favorites are the eggs and the OUT OF THIS WORLD hash browns. And as long as you're not on a diet, go for a vanilla coke (made the old-fashioned way, with syrup) or one of the delicious hand-made milkshakes or malts. Burgers are good too. It's frankly hard to find much they don't make right. Even the meatloaf is like mom's. The only think I'd say to skip are the pancakes, which are a bit think and non-fluffy. Otherwise, it's hard to go wrong. Another good spot for out-of-town visitors that won't break the bank. Mom loves it.

• Pros: Free valet parking, always open
• Cons: Sometimes broken table-top jukebox machines

11/24/07

Anyone say latenight snack?

by marpop at Citysearch

Mel's Diner is obviously an institution - a part of Hollywood history. From a restaurant standpoint, the food is good and the environment is clean - it is a diner! The lighting is good and there is outdoor seating. Parking on Sunset can be tough, but they do have a small lot and possibly valet services next door. We usually stop by Mel's latenight after a party, and get things like tuna fish sandwiches on toast and strawberry milk shakes - and the bill is cheap, so there you have it! If you want a good cheap meal at a diner, and experience a little of Hollywood, then you can't go wrong with Mel's.

• Pros: price, setting
• Cons: parking

11/05/07

It's simply a Sunset Blvd institution

by denag at Citysearch

For diner food Mel's is top notch. No wonder it's been open forever. The burgers are tasty and the omlettes are large. Service is friendly but slow especially durning the workweek at lunchtime. If you need your diner fix, then Mel's is a great place to go and who knows who'll you'll see in the booth next to you.

• Pros: Can get your diner fix anytime, it's open 24 hours a day
• Cons: service isn't speedy

07/05/07

Great late night place

by leschnei at Citysearch

Mel's has good food and a fun atmosphere that smacks of old Hollywood. Any of their omelets with their mushrooms are incredible and a must have. This is a great place to hangout with friends late at night.

• Pros: Great food, great place to hangout, located in a cool area
• Cons: only valet parking available

06/20/07

Must go-to-place if you are visiting Hollywood or a local looking for a diner

by davidgc at Citysearch

If you are looking for a diner to go to whether its during the day or late at nite. Come to Mel's. They will take good care of you and your group too. Make sure you bring a cool pair of sunglasses if you want to sit outside. Everyone is a star there.

• Pros: Fun, clean diner with good feel