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 and 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 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.

09/19/09

don't go there

by notonchris at Citysearch

got a few, we caught them under glasses, feel a little icky now!!!!

• Pros: Slimming
• Cons: Fleas

12/10/08

THE ABSOLUTE WORST IN SERVICE AND FOOD

by SCHILLIK at Citysearch

I was just in the Mel's in Ontario, CA, and it is just as bad as the one in Los Angeles. Apparently, they are franchises, so there is no corporate structure as to their continuity of food preparation. The fries are horrible, and their rendition of a grilled cheese (easy enough to make, wouldn't you say?) is to toast two pieces of bread, then stick cold cheese slices in between. I had to send it back 3 times because the cooks barely speak enough english to understand their job. The manager was too stupid to know how to do proper damage control, and charged me for bad food (which I hardly touched!) anyway, and showed absolutely no concern whatsoever when I told her that not only would I never be back, but I would tell everyone I know not to go there. My next stop.....the Department of Health Services! (Food was served at a less than optimal temperature....it wasn't even lukewarm!)

• Pros: Ambience only
• Cons: Stupid management, absolutely the worst food, bad customer service.

11/17/08

Good food and fun atmosphere

by geojames at Citysearch

I've been to Mel's many times. The food has always been good -- I especially like their breakfasts and cheeseburgers. The staff have always been friendly and the service is usually prompt. The prices are reasonable, and it's a fun atmosphere. In addition to adjacent parking, it's next to the Hollywood/Highland Metro Red Line stop.

07/23/08

Not Good

by aliota112 at Citysearch

I'd have to say that this restaurant is not too good. I've been there a few times, but certainly not in the last 2 years, because, each time, the food either does not taste good at all, or the service is terrible. The waiters and waitresses are very rude to the patrons, and I have seen people even refused service for no apparent reason. Yes, one reviewer had it correct: the people that work there are either out-of-work actors with terrible attitude, or metal/hard rock musicians just out of high school who make no real money elsewhere. That vibe permeates the restaurant. It is not a fun time. The music is ok if you like oldies, but the food, cost, and service ensure that the visitor will not want to return unless they are starving and, even then, you may be better off cooking. No, don't pay for parking; that is ridiculous, given the quality of the establishment.

• Pros: Music
• Cons: Waiters and Waitresses' attitudes towards patrons, cost vs. portions of food, actual service quality

06/25/08

ONLY IMPOVERISHED HUNGRY CHILDREN WOULD FIND THIS FOOD TASTY!

by Indigoblue1 at Citysearch

I agree the food is BAD. My BF and I decided to go here.. to a "quaint" little diner, OR SO WE THOUGHT. In lieu of JERRYS DELI which has started to have REALLY HORRIBLE FOOD OF LATE, it was my idea to have breakfast at this little old fashioned "cosy nook". As soon as the food came and I bit into it, I realized what a terrible mistake I had made. I had at least expected to see a few moviestars (lol) instead just saw the banal best of the mediocre middle class.. which is all I ever see. Oh lets not forget at times I see an uppity multicolored quaffed snob who is slumming, but then she or he could also be bumming.. HARD TO TELL.

The foods TASTELESS. They excel at draining every ounce of taste from their food. I don't know how they do it, but they deserve a trophy for the most bland SHIOT I ever had in my life. They deserve a prize for being that BAD.

I was sooo disappointed, and peeved my BF was actually tipping and paying for this tasteless abuse to our senses!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Pros: THE AIR WAS FREE
• Cons: BAD FOOD, WEIRD PEOPLE, NO CELEBRITIES. WHERES JOHN TRAVOLTA?

09/02/07

Great Food !

by citylady58 at Citysearch

I've eaten at Mel's about ten times. They have good food. I recommend their chicken dinner. The chicken is perfect. And their steamed vegetables are perfect.

The one on Highland is fun because you can people watch all the tourists and Hollywood-types that come into the place.

• Pros: Fun Atmosphere, Good Food
• Cons: Sometimes very crowded

12/09/06

Terrible service + terrible food = awesome!

by ronniepudding at Citysearch

Mel's Drive-In ? like 50's Diner, Johnny Rockets, etc. ? attempts to recapture the spirit of a more innocent time, when Friday night meant slurping down a shake with your best gal while Chubby Checker played on the jukebox and Fonzie scared off local toughs without resorting to violence. Well apparently Mel's vision of the 1950's also includes terrible food and even worse service. Our party waited no less than 15 minutes for a waiter to attend to our table, and another 30 just for our drink order to arrive (or at least our meth-addled waiter's approximation of our drink order). Several fortnights later, a prison-tattooed busboy brought us our food. Or rather, someone's food. I don't know what the waiter had jotted down on his clipboard way back when ? maybe the lyrics for his nu metal band's latest teen angst sonata ? but it definitely was not our order. Nonetheless, to stave off starvation we scarfed down what had been brought to our table. It was a decision we'd all come to regret later that afternoon. The food, while not entirely awful, wasn't close to resembling good: Dry burgers, limp salads, overcooked eggs, all tasteless save for the essence of dirty grill. Yes, even the salad tasted like week-old grease. Still, it was edible and our blood-sugar levels had already dipped to dangerous levels. Alas the poor meal and awful service were not the worst of it; judging from the intestinal distress we suffered for the rest of the day, the undocumented workers manning the grill paid little heed to the many signs in the restroom urging them to wash their hands before returning to work. Maybe because the signs were written in English.

If the retro experience is what you're looking for stick to Happy Days, break-dancing or the Renaissance Fair. If you're looking for good food and service at a reasonable price, avoid Mel's Drive-In at all costs.

• Pros: Potsie and Ralph Malph
• Cons: Food Service Price

11/24/06

best chicken noodle soup in LA

by gretta7 at Citysearch

Honestly most of their food has left me cold...but hey have amazing shakes, and the best chicken noodle soup in all of LA. Better than any of the deli's or fine dining restaurants. If you are craving home made soup or are fighting a cold..... come here - its amazing!

• Pros: great soup
• Cons: dumb that they make you pay for parking.

11/24/06

Nostalgic Fun

by anisad76 at Citysearch

This place is all about atmosphere. Starting from the exterior you are brought back to the world of the 1950's. Each table has a juke box filled with 50's music. The waitresses are even dressed the part. This place is usaully lively and it's where I spotted my first celebrity. A must have on the menu is the chocolate milk shake. It's the best in town. The is pretty good but don't expect top of the line. The serving is plentiful so you definitly won't leave hungry.

• Pros: Ambience and Milk Shakes
• Cons: Some dishes are bland