Original Mel’s

This place was GOOD! I wish we had one of these in Reno, because this place would put our squeeze in and our peg’s a run for their money.
I just love this little town. It’s so quaint. It seems like Mel’s has been there for quite some time. Service was fast and friendly and did I mention GOOD?
The boys devoured their grilled cheese and fries as expected. They came prepared in a cute little car with a side of Oreos.
My breakfast was amazingly tasty. The hash browns were super crispy just like I like.
The shakes the offered looked so delish. If I’m ever in the area, I would definitely get a bite to eat here again.

My son loves this place. He loves the little cars they have for kids. We came in recently on his 4^th Birthday. He got a free sunday, it was huge! They are very friendly and the food is good. Large portions and good prices.

Best service ever! Staff is always smiling. Food was great and I will return every chance I get!

Visited here with the boyfriend on the way out of town. I picked it because I wanted to go a few steps up from his normal pick of Denny’s. Also, I’m a genius and this was a great idea because it was really good!
I have been to this location before and as always, it is nice and clean. I was surprised at how slow it was at 9am on a Saturday morning! This helped us though, as service was great and our food came quick!
I ordered the Cobb Salad (which is a great salad for breakfast, btw) and my boyfriend got an omelet. We both noted and thought it was nice that the omelet was normal sized, as in not big enough to practically eat him instead. The portion was enough and we left full and satisfied within about 30 minutes, which is a win for me regarding sit down service!
I’m hoping this will become a regular stop rather than the Denny’s that’s a few exits before Placerville.

Decent breakfasts here. You could certainly do worse if look are looking for a bite to eat en route to or from Tahoe. First stay it’s a good spot, located just where the road changes from multiple lanes and fast to slower and single lane.
I’d certainly opt for the breakfasts over other parts of the menu & be accepting that it isn’t great for the waistline. But it is clean and well priced. Also very easy to split the bill at the cashier.

This is always a good place to stop on the way to and from Tahoe. Whether you want a hot breakfast before a full day of riding or a hot meal after a full day of riding Mel’s is a nice, warm, welcoming place to visit! We always get fast, friendly service and good diner food which is nice because you can warm up, and get back on the road with a full belly ;)
We’ve had both breakfast and lunch there and always enjoyed our meals. They have great breakfast platters. One of my favorites is the California Benedict. They also have great sweet potato fries! :9
I also like that they added the family restroom. It is seriously the cleanest bathroom and changing table I have ever seen! It just adds to the welcoming family atmosphere of the diner.

The food is so good. Very friendly people every time were up here we make sure to stop there. Portions are very large. Delicious

Good food, good customer service. One of the better places to have breakfast (or anything else) in Placerville. Price is higher, but I guess everything cost more these days.

I hate chain restaurants, but Mel’s is off the hook when it comes to breakfast. I just demolished the chorizo and eggs skillet. Beans super on hit, potatoes ridiculousness, chorizo off the chain… This will continue to be my breakfast spot on the way to the mountains!
And by the way the service is top notch here!!!

We came here from a trip to Lake Tahoe. Diners have always been a fave hang out for their breakfast food and big servings.
Our first time here at Mel’s in this location. We were greeted with shyness by the receptionist. And we asked if we can bring our dog inside since we cant leave him in a cold van alone. We were group of 6 and the receptionist said it’s OK for as long as he’s in his crate. So we did enter and ordered. The server woman wasn’t that enthusiastic, frowned face, unwelcoming. We didnt like her only if we can request for a server. But since we wanna go back to SF soon before it gets dark, we didnt complain. She frowned when our small dog barked. Our dog doesnt normally bark only if he feels threatened and annoyed. He barked at her and she made face. So he barked at her again. Like the dog can feel her attitude. The manager then approached and said «No dogs allowed» Well better tell your staff before receiving us bec we asked first before we came in.
The diner has good meal but attitude of staff is far diff from the diners we always go to: free, funny, polite, cheerful, accommodating.
Our server should practice how to smile and be polite bec she deals with customers. The other guy I assume can be the boss should also be polite in dealing things like dogs… Only the receptionist shy gal was the decent gal who smiled and greeted us on our way in and out. The staff incl the boss should attend an orientation

We had lunch here and we really enjoyed it. The portions were big and the taste was excellent. I recommend stopping here for a meal.

Mel’s is one of my family’s favorite places to eat on our way to Tahoe as it is conveniently located just off Hwy 50. The food is good and there is a fair amount of variety. Service and atmosphere is always excellent. My only complaint is the Mac N Cheese my daughter orders off the kids menu. They charge $ 4.99 for what looks to be made from a box of Kraft which you can buy for $ 1 and they give you only half the amount! Maybe because they do serve it with some fruit. This lone dish is a bit pricey I’d say… but all else is good :)

Not a bad place, definitely has that 50’s era vibe to the joint. They serve good ‘Ol American food. So we ordered ourselves some burgers, they were pretty good; nothing too fancy but it’s a diner so what do you expect. Price was to be expected from a mountain town in Northern California. I did enjoy the little juke box on our table, we probably put about $ 3 worth of quarters playing the tunes we like. Even though I didn’t get one I would probably come back for the milkshakes and banana splits.

Typical kitschy American fare. Just what you’d expect as far as a 1950’s style chain restaurant/​diner — lots of nostalgic pictures on the wall, 50’s music, burgers & fries, shakes, sandwiches, breakfasts. Portions are generous and service was good (they weren’t too busy when we went). Nothing to write home about, but you won’t leave disgusted or hungry.

An excellent breakfast and lunch place for hungry campers and preshopping refueling. The food was delicious (veggie burger and fries) but it did take a while before we were waited on.

Whenever we go here I usually have no complaints. The food is good and filling and a pretty decent price. However, last sunday when I went here with my family, I got the chicken fried steak breakfast. Eggs were cooked perfectly and the hashbrowns were golden brown. The steak was good but the gravy did not taste right. I don’t know what it was but it just tasted off and tasted like it came from a can. I will return but I won’t get the chicken fried steak again.

I’m a good sport vegetarian and when my non-​veg friends decide on a restaurant I tend to go along knowing that this is California and most decent restaurants have a decent veg option. However veg options were limited here and I wound up paying $ 9 for the most lackluster and bland veggie burger with nothing on it save onion and iceberg lettuce. All they have to do to make things better is charge $ 5 or add cheese, avocado, or anything that does not have meat on it to make it flavorful. They have an extensive burger menu and dont know why they cannot come up with a couple more flavorful options for veggies. I also agree with some of the other comments regarding the service, the waitstaff seem to hate their jobs.

Basically a good old fashion 50’s Diner. If you want diner food then this is the place to go. They have a much bigger selection of dishes than most, but remember you will be getting diner food. (A little greasy, messy, but classic burgers, sandwiches and milkshakes.)
Had the BBQ Crispy Chicken Sandwich, was big and tender with the perfect amount of condiments. Fries were good, but a little saltier than I would have liked. Other than that the waitress was nice and friendly, place was not busy as we were there a bit early for dinner time regulars. 5:00pm.
No Complaints but No Praise either. A-​OK.

I’m on my way up to the Tahoe/​Carson area and I thought I might make it to Tahoe before I needed lunch, but I was starting to fall asleep while driving, so that’s not good. Maybe a lunch stop will get my mind moving again, plus freeway driving is pretty boring, the mountain roads keep me awake better. I knew Mel’s Diner was right here in Placerville, so that’s the plan.
Pulling in, I see it’s a pretty popular motorcycle stop. Mostly just hoggers though. I enter and am greeted right away and grab a nice booth by the big windows. Just water for me to drink, thanks. I had stopped here before a while ago and had a Patty Melt and thought it was pretty good. That’s what I’ll have again! I place my order with the perky server. While waiting for my food to arrive, I’m looking about the place, take a few Unilocal pics and see a booth filled with teenaged girls all giggling and carrying on. Then 2 more walk by me to join their friends … I guess they still do dress like that out here in Placerville, make up, tight jeans, bare midriff and tight top … and lookin for trouble, either that or they ARE the trouble. Mel’s really is like in that movie, a teen hangout. I remember those days of high school! I must have got in here at a slow time on a weekday as the place was pretty empty, except for the table full of reminders of my high school past.
Ahh, my food arrives! See my pic … my Patty Melt has a little flag on it from Mel’s! This is one of the few times, maybe the only time I’ve received my Patty Melt uncut. But a steak knife is provided. I guess maybe some people don’t want it cut or something or want it cut straight across verses diagonal … hey whatever, I cut mine diagonal. Hey, there’s a tomato in my Patty Melt! I never had that before, but OK, I’ll go with it. Usually I just like to have the meat, cheese and grilled onions to concentrate on. The rye bread used here is a bit soft, more squishy than a good deli rye with some coarseness to it. It’s still a tasty sandwich to fill an empty stomach and the fries were pretty good. The meat wasn’t all cooked to shit like a lot of places, since I didn’t ask for med rare or anything. Price was decent, $ 10.00 inc tax. OK, back on the road and I feel all awake now! This is a good stop here in Placerville, either coming or going from the Tahoe area.

If you understand this is like a diner then this is very good by diner standards.
It’s a nice stop in Placerville if you’re coming back from skiing or just staying in the town for some event. I get up here a couple of times a year on average.
Some of the entrees I’ve had and enjoyed:
Eggs Benedict: B plus
Caesar Salad with Chicken: B
Club Sandwich: B to B plus
Hotcakes: B
Other things…
SERVICE: B to B plus
SETTING: B minus to B