Mel’s Commonwealth Cafe

I SO want you guys to be better. I’m a Wayland guy since 1973. I see that you say you train your staff to give excellent service. You’ve written that comment many times. It’s not working. It’s time for new staff. Yes, I still go to you out of habit and lack of choice — albeit a lot less than I used to. But there should be a better reason. You desperately need to clean the place up and, most importantly, I need to be greeted at the door by someone who looks like they’re happy to have my business. The staff’s rude. Consistently. Yes, you still pack the place. But look at your review average. It’s dropping every month. Be the Mel’s I remember. Please.

Totally disappointed yet again.
After living just a couple miles from Mel’s I keep wishing maybe it’d be better. I really wanted a Belgian waffle last Sunday and thought they can’t mess that up. The waffle was very average, the strawberries could have been more fresh but the coffee… the coffee was horrible and costs just as much as a Starbucks… we were not offered refills throughout breakfast either (not that it mattered). After my nearly ten dollar basic waffle I went to Starbucks for some real coffee. A waste of my morning and a waste of my money. I’ve been here many times and it’s always been disappointing. C’mon Mel… it’s not that hard to make a decent breakfast!

This used to be the go to place for breakfast. The past couple of times, I’ve been disappointed. Basic scramble ok. Home fries are like those frozen ones you get at the market. Prices are relatively high. Coffee is bitter. I also tried their supposed hot fresh turkey sandwich. It’s turkey breast roll.
Enough said.

I’m able to give this place 4 stars because I actually had a very pleasant server. I forget her name but she had a thick European accent. Many of the other women who work here are not very nice. I ordered the Spudlovers Benedict and it was DELICIOUS. Beware– it’s VERY filling. I also got a chocolate chip pancake which was great. The only downside to the food was that the home fries are flavorless– they could really do with some type of seasoning. I will definitely return and hopefully am seated with the same server.

The food is average at best and the service is very weak. The waitress probably said 10 words total to us and got my order wrong. I asked for an omelette with no cheese and toast with no butter. Lo and behold the omelette had cheese as well as the toast had butter. Certainly would not rush to come back.

Fantastic spot, my favorite place for breakfast. I’ve had their Breakfast Sandwiches, Waffles, Pancakes, Omelets, eggs and all of it was great.

⁹⁸⁄₃₅₁ Mel’s Commonwealth Café, Wayland: Canned hash, dry brown potatoes homefries & still partially frozen strawberry slices. And, to top off the lame food, the old relic of a waitress was going to walk away without clearing my plates, when she brought the bill.
Big «Nay!»

I’d love to give Mel’s a higher rating but it can’t be done. The breakfast is not as good as I can get at home, the menu is right out of a 1960’s diner (not in a good way), and the service is fair at best.
My last experience there (which will be my last experience there) I walked in, said I wanted a cup of coffee while waiting for my car to be inspected next door. They sat me down and there I sat, for five minutes or so, with not a word from the waitress that locked eyes with me but walked by without a peep. I left.

Been going to Mel’s ever since I was a kid. From the come in every variety huge portion Mailman salads to their home made potato pancakes (with a side of tasty turkey sausage links please) to everything in between, this place is always a treat to stop by during lunch or on my way to work.
Add to that the friendly gentleman who greets you at the take out counter (one of the owners) and the courteous staff and it has the complete package especially if you want to give a mom and pop your business where you are a person (Mel’s) instead of a big corporate chain where you are just a number.

I really want to like this place. I really, really do but every time I come in, there’s issue after issue. Whether it’s the sour, crabby attitude of the waitresses, the incredibly slow service or the fact that the food really isn’t that good, I just haven’t had a good experience. The one thing that I do like is their iced coffee. They have this awesome hazelnut iced coffee that seriously keeps me coming back, but honestly, after this last time, I don’t know if it’s enough anymore…
Too bad because it’s so close to where I work.

They messed up my food, and they assumed they I would take this order. What a dork. However iced coffee is not bad!

I typically get the salads because that is the easiest thing for the gluten free sufferer. They are famous for their Mailman salad. Lots of meat and veggies. The sizes are enormous and very tasty. Great breakfast and lunch options to choose from. I’ve had many business lunches here and been satisfied each time.

I’ve only eaten here once for breakfast but overall was very pleased with the experience. I ordered the eggs Benedict and chocolate chip pancake and both were delicious! Definitely will be back here in the future.

I’d say most of the previous reviews were pretty much right on. We ordered a belgian waffle and an omelette. Food was average or below average. When I go out to eat, I want something better than what I could make myself at home. Atmosphere was lacking as well.
It’s disappointing, we moved to Wayland 9 months ago, and there really isn’t one decent place to get breakfast around here. If it wasn’t for Sudbury Pizza, there wouldn’t be a decent pizza place either!
It’s crazy because the people in the town have money to spend. And Wayland isn’t in the Berkshires, it’s 5 minutes off Rte 95. If any great restaurant or diner ever came here, they’d likely have the entire town (and probably neighboring towns) as customers.

Finally found a place that serves proper diner style breakfast and does it right — and is open early enough for breakfast at a normal time! My only regret is that it took me two years of living in the area to find and try this place!

They need Gordon Ramsey. The floors are dirty. The tables are dirty. The chairs are dirty. Bathrooms stink. Even the salt/​pepper shakers and ketchup bottles are greasy. This place needs to be steam cleaned and fast, or better yet torn down. Absolutely the worst bacon I’ve ever had. It’s days old and reheated just for you! Walk out the back door and take a good, long whiff. Mmmm. Stinks back there. You’ll never want to go back. What would be nice if only the wait staff would say hi to you when you walk in – mostly they act like they don’t want you there.

I’ve Been to this place about 5 times in the last few years. Every time the story is the same. The wait staff are terribly unfriendly, it always seems like they are doing you a favor by providing you with mediocre service.
The food is always okay. Never good, never great, only acceptable. The price is average.
…But the service is unforgivable! It’s like being waited on by Patty and Selma Bouvier (from The Simpsons) and eating at Dicks Last Resort…

If you’re looking for a good breakfast at a good price, look no further. Mel’s is a back to basics diner with lots of breakfast options. I am boring and always get the eggs/​homefries/​toast and Mel’s makes as good as anyone. My only complaint is the coffee which is very watered down. So just bring your own from D&D or Buckies.

I go back and forth with this place, sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad. I wish they had better breakfast real potatoes and used real hollandaise sauce.
Sometimes the service is good, other times its not. For a while, I was getting the breakfast sandwiches, which could be really great… and then other times, they forget to put stuff on them, which stinks when you get home and find it missing.
Would love some consistency here… then maybe I’d come more often.

Great local gem! Had the corned beef hash and eggs. This place has an old school «diner» type of feel. The servers were attentive. They give out coloring pages and crayons for the kids.
Plenty of parking spaces in the private lot.
I’d definitely come back next time I’m in town…