Mel’s Drive In

Not impressed with the quality of food served. I had a cheeseburger, and I was sure it was about the level of hamburger you get at a picnic.

From the outside this place looks cool but from the inside I wouldn’t think of it the same. 15 $ for an order of chicken strips first of all lol. Second Cheyenne, a waitress there was extremely rude and made gestures and cues to her hostess that she did not want to serve my party. I’m guessing it was because of our racial background. We didn’t look like hoodlums but for some reason she chose to tell her hostess no and made it very apparent that she would not serve us. Then we end up with a different waitress «in Cheyennes section» so we see Cheyenne taking only parties full of white individual’s right next to us while our waitress has to come across the room to Cheyennes section just to serve us. I was very unpleased and have never experienced this in my life. If you want 8 $ shakes and 15 $ chicken strips with what seems to be a racist waitress then be my guest but as for me I will not be returning.
I recently got an apology from Cheyenne in which I appreciate. I still feel semi strong about my review, but I really appreciate that she took the time to apologize for what seems to be miscommunication between both parties.
Cheyenne has really made an effort to make me feel like this was just miscommunication from both parties and for this reason I have put another star up. She seems like she genuinely cares. Thank you Cheyenne!

Stopped here on our way back from LA Pride. I checked Groupon and low and behold there was a groupon that ended up costing 9.60 with a promo code (20.00 worth of food). My wife and I had Piper as a server and she was awesome. We shared the hot turkey dinner and they split it for us without asking. Even gave us an extra roll. It was a ton of food and everything tasted fresh. The veggies were cooked perfectly too. With a soda, we paid an additional 2.25. Left a nice tip and walked out full and happy.

I have always loved this place but tonight when I came here it was all out the worst. I specifically came here for the pot pie which I love and I ordered… but everyone I brought was served except for me. The pot pie I ordered Kimberly said she didn’t hear me say I wanted… yet everyone at the table knew that I was the only reason I came to this restaurant so that I could get the pot pie. The least you could do is pay attention to what someone actually orders especially since the people that are at the table are there for the one person who wanted what the place serves. Thank you Kimberly for an unforgettable night I’ll never be back and neither will anybody else that I have in my crue.

Still A-​OK… Definitely better burgers in town (this is a place where they don’t bother asking the temperature you want your burger cooked) but these are always serviceable whether you go traditional (me) or portobello mushroom burger. A reliable place for quick easy lunch or dinner. Good shakes too.

This place is open late til 2am, the perfect spot to get some grub in Hollywood when your out clubbing and crave for a sit down restaurant. I ordered the steak and eggs with diced potatoes and white toast.
The steak wasn’t cooked the way I wanted it but everything else on the plate was spectacular. I took the potatoes to go because it was worth savoring afterwards. The atmosphere felt like I was in the 60’s awesome experience.

Now I would love to give this restaurant a few more stars because I have been driving past it for months and always think it looks great but I just cant.
I will say that the atmosphere and décor are cute… and I don’t know if it was just the day I went or what, but the service was horrible. We ordered cherry cokes which literally took 20 minutes to come out. After they finally brought them, they then brought us 4 more back to back which we didn’t order. Not only that the appetizer we ordered never came and when we asked about it they gave it to us on the house with the rest of our food. It felt like I was in the twilight zone.
Now I hate complaining and blah blah blah but I really was shocked at the service I got here because the food is really good. The pot pie was a little runny but had great flavor. The chicken noodle soup was top noch!!! The burgers were great and the milkshakes looked like a dream come true in a cup.
I probably would have given 3 stars because the food is good but then I went to get my car from the valet guy and he tried to hand me keys to a Cadillac that wasn’t mine. After I told him which car was mine he then couldn’t find my keys??? Eventually I jumped in the car and went on my way.
I cant say I have any desire to go back which is sad because if they had better service and parking I would be a returning customer.

I came here on a weekday for lunch with my relatives. The concept of this place is pretty cool, kinda 60’s type of decoration.
The menu is vast, so there’s a lot to pick from.
Even though the concept of this place is to recreate the 60’s, It looked kind of old and maybe could need maintenance.
Our waiter was very nice and doing a great job.
The food is ok, not bad not the best.

Came in to have a «snack» so we tried a strawberry shake and banana shake with a side of fries. Shake was very yummy, but a little pricy. Almost $ 8! Anyways just wanted to check it out since I was in the area.

Mel’s Diner is right in the most touristy area of Hollywood at the corner of Hollywood and Highland, so it’s no wonder it’s become an L.A. icon. There are quite a few touristy shops and museums nearby (Hollywood, Madam Tussaud’s, Hollywood Wax, etc.), so Mel’s is a fun place to stop in and grab a bite as you take in the area’s offerings.
That being said, Mel’s prices are a bit higher than a traditional diner simply because of the location and clientele. The food is good, but not great. Then again, you don’t go to a diner for «great» food anyway, do you? I had the «Big and Juicy Burger» which is ¾ lb. of beef with some typical toppings on a brioche bun. It was a good burger, but not at all worth the $ 17 price tag. Oh, and it didn’t come with any sides either… not even fries.
It’s a fun ‘50s ambiance with juke boxes at table side. Each song selection is a quarter (quarters only), and there’s an abundant library to choose from. The service was actually quite good, and our Waiter even offered to play our jukebox selections for free. I will say that the tables are a little bit cluttered with menus, promotional items, etc, so you might have to put a few things on the seat to make room for your food.
There is a 10% discount when you check-​in on Unilocal,so don’t forget to do that. There are also a few 10% coupons usually placed along the street signs nearby if you want to go that route.
All-​in-​all it’s a fun place to stop and grab some decent grub, but loosen you purse strings a little bit first.

Best Grill Cheese I have ever had staff was very friendly we will definitely be coming back

I had an exceptional experience thanks to Rachel, our waitress. I go to Mel’s because of the atmosphere and great service. It’s nice to be able to go to a diner. I always take my ESL class on a field trip there when they learn about going out to eat. I emphasize and explain the importance of tipping in American culture. My students are foreign and to many this is a new concept. The servers are always attentive and accommodating for my students’ language needs, especially since it’s usually a group of 9 – 15 students. I think Mel’s serves as a good example for having an American dining experience because the menu has a large selection.

Fame is Fleeting as i should have
Before deciding to ‘Eat at Mel’s’.
Ordered a Denver Omelette and
Received a Flat tortilla like Egg
Mixture (not real eggs) with uncooked
Oddly cut bell peppers, no cheese and i
Had to Hunt for Ham in this Dismal Dish.
Mel is turning like a top in his resting place.
And i had to pay for it, adding the usual
20% tip to a waitress who took 20 minutes
To take the order, As ‘others’ were attended To.
Did i mention my toast was cold?

I travel to Los Angeles and Hollywood quite frequently and Stopping at Mel’s is always a priority.
The staff at Mel’s is always incredibly happy and the service is great. Even during insanely busy times, the wait staff is fast on their feet and make sure that you get your food quickly.
The food is always fresh and tastes amazing! I’ve had several of the menu items and they’re all fantastic.
If you’re looking for a great place to eat, and an iconic Hollywood landmark while you’re in town, make sure you check it out!

I was expecting a 50s style diner with comfort food. Mel’s is that — and more. I was surprised that the comfort food is also supplemented with a lot of healthy food. It’s a weird juxtaposition of junk food and good food, but that is Southern California for you, I guess.
I had the meatloaf (no wheat grass smoothie for me) and it was very good. A bet a burger and a milkshake would be good too!
This place is worth checking out for the atmosphere and the famous name, and the food won’t disappoint you.

Pricey.
Cool atmosphere.
No service. Still waiting 15 minutes nobody said hello, hi, seat your self or anything. Sitting…
Waiting. Nice music though. Gonna leave. In 2 min.
Menu is kinda stupid with extra non functional food add stuck too the regular menu looks stupid but whatever no big deal.
The staff is playing around behind the counter hanging out laughing playing. 3 employees passed us. Nothing yet…
I’m pretty disappointed by the staff and the location I expected more. Since west Hollywood location was a an awesome experience. Go to the WeHO location instead.

I had lunch here while visiting the Hollywood, CA area.
The place was full of memorabilia and the staff was great.
I had their turkey with goat cheese slider with a side of onion rings. The food was delicious and looked even better. My only regret was that I didn’t get to try one of their shakes which I hear are great!
This spot is a definite must do when visiting the area.

Muy buen servicio y rica comida.
El servicio fue muy bueno. Esta ambientado como en los años 50s lo cual lo hace muy divertido. Los platos de hamburguesas son muy abundantes y ricas. El precio es accesible.

So after taking a few photos in the hills tonight I was a bit hungry and stopped in at Mel’s. From time to time I like diner food. I never have any real expectation that it’s going to be a culinary delight. Just ok food in a fun atmosphere. Indeed that was the action tonight.
I ordered: tomato soup, cheese bacon burger, fries, onion rings and a chocolate shake. Everything was fine except the soup. I am a bit amazed that soup can be challenging? No reason to speak ill, just don’t order it.
The only food shot I took was the chocolate shake… loved it!
The server Mark was fantastic, great sense of humor and pretty efficient. It was a busy place for a holiday evening and it ran smoothly. It is a fun little joint that has a lot of potential to be a big hit with some effort on the food side. I hope they spend some time in the kitchen their next 60 years of business.

Mel’s is the quintessential late night after the club dining spot. This place is super historic and has an old school vibe to it that just can’t be beat. Some of the seats even have the jukeboxes still at the table and the songs are $.25 a pop which is cool. The food and the service here is pretty average with nothing really sticking out for you, but at 3am, who really cares lol. I usually order the lumberjack which basically has potatoes, eggs, pancakes and ham all rolled into a single plate. Below average for a normal breakfast, fantastic for late night dining.
Pros–
Portions
Late night
Location
Historical
Jukebox
Price
Cons–
Average food
Average service
Average cleanliness

Order only burgers here. The full size burgers and mini sliders are phenominal. I asked for medium well and it was well worth it. I should have ordered 5 mini sliders as my full course meal since I’m such a picky eater. Regardless, if you’re in the area, make sure to come here for great burgers.
The food itself gets 3 stars. However, the service wasn’t the greatest. It was mediocre. The food came on time because there wasn’t a lot of tables. However, the customer service was lacking. No greeting, no charming interaction. I was expecting more for a restaurant that has been around for years. Also, I went on a Friday night, which is usually a busy night for businesses. However, it was not crowded at all.
If you’re really in the mood, consider the mini sliders or any of the burgers. I wouldn’t trust any other option at the location since they are well known for their burgers. Ribs weren’t cut and seemed bland. My chicken sandwich wasn’t the best. The mini sliders ordered were delicious, but the rest of the food wasn’t worth it.
So make sure to remember: burgers only!

Ambiance typiquement américaine des années 60, avec les Jukebox (25 cts/​titre) à chaque table.
Les cocktails sont bons et généreusement dosés. Nous avons pris un assortiment d’appetizers dont les sauces manquaient cruellement d’assaisonnement. Le Chicken Pie était un peu décevant aussi (beaucoup trop de petits pois), et les Burgers (Mushroom et le MELS) étaient un peu fades. Les frites étaient molles
Les prime ribs ont été bien appréciés par mon fils, mais pour les avoir goutés, ils manquaient également de goût à mon sens.
Le turkey home-​made en revanche à été bien apprécié par mon épouse, et notamment la petite purée qui l’accompagnait.

Wonderful place, very retro, own parking lot (free). 24 hours open, this is always my first stop after arrival from Europe, perfect for breakfast at 4am during jet lag time Very friendly staff, even if they think you are a tourist. Many locals come here, too. Good food.

Sehr leckere Burger, Milchshakes, die einfach ein Muss sind (nicht nur, dass man einen Shake in verschiedenen Geschmackssorten erhält, die lecker mit Eis aufgewertet werden, sondern man bekommt auch noch den Becher dazugestellt, in dem der Shake gemixt wurde, damit man ihn auskratzen kann), eine wirklich nette und zuvorkommende Bedienung und ein wirklich schönes Ambiente, was dem Namen Diner alle Ehre macht