This place is not only wheelchair accessible which gives it high marks in my book to start, the service and meal were excellent. The clam chowder, beet salad, and veggie burger were especially good. Got to meet Brian himself as well, which was very nice. Oh- and the live music really put the icing on the cake. Our server, Carmon, was super friendly and helpful. EDIT: This venue is mostly wheelchair accessible but my original review is misleading. The restrooms are not fully accessible and the bar area is not fully accessible. read more

Excellent clam chowder, but that's as far as we got, as the service/staffing was lackluster. After being seated promptly, placing our order, and getting 3 clam chowders, we waited 35 minutes for our main course, as others who came in after my party of 3 started receiving theirs. In speaking with our apologetic waitress, she couldn't explain and after 5 more minutes of waiting, we left. The manager was kind enough to waive the charges for our drinks and clam chowders. read more

First stop after the 4 hour drive to see the hall of fame. We had no idea if the food was going to be good, but the place looked inviting so we took the chance. Environment was great. Staff was very friendly. Burgers were delicious. All for a fair price. 5 stars. read more

I ate lunch here twice during a visit to the Baseball HOF, and really enjoyed myself. I mean, tater tots - on the menu! That fact alone won me over!! Great and diverse selection of items to choose from, and portions were plentiful. There are options for even the most picky of tastes. Being a kid-at-heart, I went with the grilled cheese and tater tots (on both visits), but the salads looked impressive and burgers large enough for two. Atmosphere is contemporary though seating is somewhat limited - so plan accordingly. Service, while a bit slow at times, was nonetheless adequate and attentive. This is a great spot, and one that I would definitely recommend if visiting Cooperstown. read more

I love Mel's. Their Clam Chowder is excellent, tried their edamame hummus I was not disappointed. I've tried a variety of dishes at Mel's and never been disappointed. Always a good dining experience. read more

This meal was perfect from start to finish! Came here in the off-season on a Sunday night so we were seated pretty quickly. We started with crabcakes for an appetizer which were perfectly crispy and delicious! My girlfriend got the stuffed avocado which she loved and I had the apple glazed pork chop served with mashed potatoes and asparagus. The glaze was delicious as was the entire entree. We finished with crème brulee which was slightly too sweet but mostly delicious! All of the food was cooked fresh, and it showed! Our waitress was super friendly and helpful. I will definitely be returning to Mel's when I am in Cooperstown again. read more

The food tasted good, but the portions are small and we left hungry. The side salad was on a cake plate If u get a burger & fries u get a squirt of ketchup in a tiny plate...not a bottle The mixed drinks are watered down !! read more

Recommended by a local. Delicious! Big portions. Entrees come with a side salad. Were stuffed by end of meal. Probably never find myself in Cooperstown again, but if I did I would eat here again. read more

Mel's at 22 - Salmon dish on menu - Bars Near Me - Cooperstown, New York

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A beautiful day at Cooperstown. Mel's is a great place and the service was outstanding. Our bartender/servicer was very helpful and explained the menu in detail. I had the mushroom burger with tots, my friend had a burger with no bun and tots. The burgers were cooked to perfection and the tots were crisp and fresh. The atmosphere was nice and it was great too see that all the staff was enjoying taking care of their customers. If you get to Cooperstown please make Mel's one of your stops and you won't be disappointed. Thank you to all the staff and management of Mel's it was a pleasure... read more

While it was 4th of July weekend and very busy, the food was incredibly and astronomically bad. Our server was a very nice lady who explained the menu and wrote down our orders perfectly. She showed us the paper she wrote it down on and under my hamburger she wrote "still kicking or as rare as possible". The picture is of my rare hamburger. 3 other people in my party had there burgers all come out in equal amounts of burnt to a crisp read more

Mel's at 22 - My "rare as possible" hamburger. Would not recommend - Bars Near Me - Cooperstown, New York

My boyfriend and I went to Cooperstown for his birthday weekend and loved the trip! Everyone was super friendly so we weren't shy about asking about good eats in the neighborhood (Main Street in particular). Overwhelmingly Mel's was suggested so we went on a Saturday night. With the name Mel's at 22 I expected a neighborhood bar but in fact it was an casual dining restaurant with a fancy air to it. It was busy so we waiting about 20 min for a table. Once seated we were greeted by our waitress. Service was a little slow but understandable for the amount of business they had. We ordered fried haddock and duck as entrees and were very underwhelmed. The batter of the fish was a bit salty, the sauce for the duck was advertised as a mango sauce but was more of a raisin-date-ish sauce. The fries and mac and cheese were good but nothing too spectacular. The dish that saved the evening was what we ordered as an appetizer, the mussels. They were amazing. They were cooked in a broth that had chunks of bacon and were a lot for an appetizer. If I were to visit Mel's again I may consider ordering the mussels and a glass of wine and call it a night. Overall, seems like from my experience Mel's is a bit overrated but the service was good and they do have a few stars on their menu. read more

YES! This is where you should go. There seems to be some sort of bermuda triangle of reviews on the restaurants in Cooperstown. Tons of stars for "at best meh" places, etc. and we were a little wary of Mel's, but it was great. Clean, professional, my salad was super fresh, my honey's fish sandwich was awesome + we had pesto fries - what?- that were a really fun surprise of basil yumminess. Yay for Mel's!!!! read more

I ate at Mel's during my last visit to Cooperstown (December '14), and let me just start off by saying that I was absolutely blown away. I've never really taken issue with the dining options in the village, but I've also noticed the lack of upscale dining options. Mel's fills a noticeable void with their friendly service, reasonable prices, and incredibly scrumptious offerings. On top of it all, they are very accommodating to vegan and vegetarian diners, as well as those with sensitivities. Make sure to put in a reservation, though, because it was jam packed every time I walked by. read more

After a tour of Cooperstown Distillery we were, um, in need of a cheeseburger, if you know what I mean. One of the employees referred us to Mel's and we're so glad he did! The burger WAS outstanding, and the fries were also quite good. But what was really worth writing about, was the $8 Mac and cheese, and add LOBSTER for an additional $6. Wait, what? Lobster mac and cheese for $14? Terrific value. The portion and more importantly the lobster -- was extremely generous. Plus it came with a side salad! YUMMMMMM. read more

Probably 4.5 stars...the food was very good & service was excellent. We came in on a Thursday around 8:30, sat immediately and Jessica was our server. She was wonderful, we appreciated her attention to detail and recommendations. The only flaw was in the New England clam chowder...I think my cup had 1 clam in it and all potato...the recipe needs to includes a lot more clams! The spinach & artichoke rangoon appetizer was delicious, as was the dipping sauce. My hubby gave his burger a thumbs up, and I tried the stuffed avocados which were definitely tasty! read more

Mel's at 22 - Twin-Stuffed Avocados w/ quinoa, black beans, roasted corn & queso fresco - Bars Near Me - Cooperstown, New York

Looking for a great burger and beer after visiting the Baseball Hall of Fame visit Mel's at 22... I had the California Dreamin' burger and stuffed avocado! All I can say is Amazing!! With a draught for The Throne beer from Ommegang! Thumbs up! read more

Mel's at 22 - California Dreamin' burger - Bars Near Me - Cooperstown, New York

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I've been to this great lil place on the corner of main st. a few times.if u want EXCELLENT FOOD MADE TO ORDER with excellent prices don't look no further. My waitress Becky treated me like a king! One note to keep in mind their brunch is ONLY ON SUNDAYS September til may. To bad found out the kinda the hard way. Went there yesterday Becky let me in 10 + minutes early and let me pick my seat. Very about it. No brunch menu. So I politely askef if they had the ingredients for one of my skillets I love. Brunch sunday only btw. I was due for a lucky day and had the South western skillet. Perfect combo of egg cheese smoked ham and green peppers. Becky graciously allowed me to have a half portion due to health reasons AND only charged me for half!!! Only been there a couple of times and very impressed! But if you do go on Sunday it will be busy. good made to order goes quick so keep an eye on many other good options just in case and get a reservation.Best eggs benedict any where with or without lox(salmon). Thanx Becky and kitchen staff!!!! read more

This place is legit for real the atmosphere is very good and the staff is off the hook friendly. I am not a big fan of seafood but this place made me reconsider the clam chowder is soooooooooo goood I ordered the chicken bacon sandwich and that was simply a bite from heave read more

Mel's at 22 is an amazing culinary experience. The food coming out of the kitchen is next to none. From a beverage perspective, the tenders are knowledgeable and friendly. The one criticism I have is the size of the chairs out front of the restaurant. If you are not the size of a runway model... you simply will not fit in the chairs. The staff will tell you you can sit out front, but they know that you will not fit in the chairs. I observed the staff watching normal sized people wanting to sit outside knowing that they will return inside because they can not fit in the chairs. Clever game, but not really cool when you could make $100 in tips from that party. Look, if you want amazing food in Cooperstown go here, but if you have a butt don't sit outside. read more

Great addition to our Cooperstown dining options! The food was quick and delicious, with a good local drink selection, the place is cozy, and the service is fabulous. My girlfriend and I both had burgers. Myself i had the bleu cheese burger and she had the California burger and we would go back just to have it again. Our calamari appetizer was also a hit! We were told by friends we could walk in with no reservations, but the hostess advised us otherwise. Fortunately the hostess sat us at a small table just near the door, and even offered us a spot at the bar for our meal without an issue. Our waitress was very friendly, and engaged us in conversation about local the event we were attending that night. The huge photo of a cow behind the bar reminded us of our stay in New York City at the Hudson. They had several similar pieces of artwork in their library / lounge and bar. Love giving local businesses our money, and love being so close to the beautiful village of Cooperstown. read more

Walked in and greeted immediately. Was sat quickly. A lot of variety on the menu along with daily specials not on the menu. I opted for the southern burger and it was great! Very friendly staff and the decor was perfect. Restaurant had a bar onsite as well. I guess I would call this upscale casual dinning. Every now and then the head chef and owner would walk the floor and greet patrons. I would highly recommend this restaurant. read more

Mel's at 22 - Bars Near Me - Cooperstown, New York

My $35 filet special was just okay. The food was served luke warm and the amount of crap meat on it was extremely small. My moscow mule was a little watered down as well. read more

Server was a bit distracted. I imagine they turn tables quickly here since this is one of the more popular dining spots in Cooperstown. You definitely need a reservation. We asked the server what to order and she pointed us in the right direction and away from a few of the items were considering. I had the baked haddock which was okay. I saw the macaroni and cheese coming out in little cast iron skillets and that looked pretty good. Best advice I can provide is ask your server if you are considering a few dishes. read more

Was in Cooperstown recently for a concert by The Avett Brothers, so needed somewhere to grab lunch. We decided on Mel's and it was a good choice. Even though the town was packed on a Saturday, we were seated in less then five. I ordered a Cesar salad with crabcakes, and my wife ordered a veggie burger. We were both very satisfied and the bill was around 22 dollars, so very reasonably priced. If in town check it out. read more

I don't usually leave reviews, but the French Pork Chop, mashed potatoes and green beans were outstanding! Even eating with the takeout plastic knife and fork, the pork was so tender and seasoned perfectly. I hope things get better for your restaurant soon! read more

The food was so good and the prices are reasonable. Our server was super nice. I wish we lived closer. It would be our go to.

Delicious food, nicest staff! Went in on Saturday night for an after dinner drink, the staff was so nice and recommended brunch in the morning. Came back for brunch and it was delicious, with lots of specials! Decided to come back for dinner the same day and it was even better! Loved Mel's! Highly recommended if you are in the area! read more

I went to Mel's by recommendation from a friend during 4th of July weekend and they did not disappoint. We were smart to book a reservation because the place seemed quite popular and of course, seating was limited due to COVID-19. We started with the clam chowder was delicious as previously mentioned and the drinks were as well (Moscow mule & their signature kingfisher). My boyfriend is a chicken parm snob so I was nervous for his response but he was very delighted and enjoyed that the cheese was not too salty like some places. I ordered the shrimp ravioli which was amazing and full of so many flavors. We talked about Mel's the rest of our trip and can't wait to return. read more

We were in Cooperstown visiting to explore the town. I had read rave reviews about Mel's so we decided to try it. The food was delicious, my drink which the waitress recommended was terrible.. it tasted like medicine. As soon as the drink was delivered to the table, I took a sip and told the waitress that it did not taste good. She left the drink on the table the entire meal. We ordered the calamari app(A+) soup and 2 entrees(I had the lobster risotto which was very tasty, scallops were slightly overdone). When the bill came, the drink was on it. I went over to the waitress who was a young woman, probably mid 20's and she told me the bar has a strict policy that since they made the drink even though I did not like it, I would have to pay for it. I explained to her that is unacceptable when I told her as soon as it came that it did not taste well. The waitress got a manager who kindly and professional apologized and took it off the bill. read more

Mel's at 22 - Lobster risotto, risotto was delicious. Scallops were over peppered and slightly overdone. - Bars Near Me - Cooperstown, New York

This place is wonderful! My fiancé and I came here last week on our first trip to Cooperstown (and certainly not last) and we were so delighted by Mel's! The atmosphere is very cozy and beautiful, and the food left a great impression on us. We split the Mac & Cheese entree as an appetizer, and it was probably the best mac I've ever had! It was so gooey and had a ton of flavor, without getting annoying or overwhelming. The portion was huge as well; I would have been satisfied with just eating that! For an entree, I ordered the sliced steak with potatoes and a mushroom sauce. He built his own burger. Both meals were delicious and we left feeling super satisfied (maybe a little too full.) Our waitress, and the overall staff, were also wonderful. We will definitely be back! read more

Couldn't of asked for a better place to go out for lunch after a few hours at the National Baseball Hall of Fame! Nice and classy/modern and clean setting with plenty of room for seating larger parties. My party of 7 only had to wait a few minutes on a busy Tuesday afternoon. Our waiter was super nice and checked in on us constantly during the meal. He was very attentive and did his job to a "T." They offer you to start out with a chowder, soup, or salad before the meal, which came out 5 minutes after ordering. The New England Clam Chowder is a MUST try, everyone at the table couldn't get enough of it. The salad was super fresh, portioned controlled, and came with a wide variety of very flavorful dressings. Mel's has a mid-sized consortium of panini and burger options, but small enough of a menu to specialize well in all of their dishes. Our food only took about 20 minutes after ordering to come out, rather quick for a busy afternoon. Everyone at the table loved their paninis, sandwiches and salads. The burgers had plenty of meat and toppings to go with it. All the paninis were filled with tasty meats and a fantastic choice of ingredients. The salads had generous servings of lettuce and other toppings. I got the Turkey Bacon panini on a Garlic and Herb wrap - and wow, I enjoyed every bite. The cheese was spread nicely through the panini and gooey. There was just the right amount of bacon and turkey complimented by a chipotle sauce that was spicy enough to go along with the rest of the sandwich. And the little bits of avocado made my day! The fries are super good, and they have a few options for fries as well. Prices were amazing for the quality and taste of food. Most people at my table were full after wiping the plate clean. Please make sure you find yourself inside this place while in Cooperstown - you will enjoy the atmosphere, staff, food, and memories you'll create at this awesome eatery! read more

Mel's at 22 - Reuben Panini with french fries. - Bars Near Me - Cooperstown, New York

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My parents and I found Mel's At 22 on Yelp one night when searching for restaurants that were open past 9pm. Luckily, Mel's dining room was still open and serving dinner. When we arrived, the main area (where the bar is located) was packed and there was a live band playing. This was my only complaint about the place - in order to get to the dining room, you had to push your way through all of the people at the bar and then there was nowhere to stand while waiting to be seated. Once we sat, my dad asked where the bathroom was and it was, of course, all the way back through the crowded bar area, on the other side of the restaurant. This isn't a major issue, just an annoyance and inconvenience, especially for my middle aged parents who didn't enjoy that aspect of the restaurant. Now, most importantly, on to the food and service. Even though we were coming late, our server was extremely helpful and friendly. We never felt rushed. The food was fresh and delicious and we were all happy with our choices. I had a salad and soup, my mom had the fish and chips, and my dad had a burger. Everyone left full and satisfied. Their beer list included local options from Ommegang and a few other craft choices. This is definitely a place to visit if you are in Cooperstown. read more

AMAZING!!!! Visiting from Jersey & can't say enough.....Food/atmosphere/service!!!!!! I'm a vegetarian & had the avocado & quinoa dinner...delish!!! And friend had the pork chops which he couldn't stop raving about!!!! A must stop when your in town!!!!! read more

Met my parents in Cooperstown for an Easter lunch after recommendations for Mel's at 22, was busy and didn't have reservations, but managed to grab 3 seats at the bar. Randy was the bartender and was great, very friendly, informative, and personable. Had great conversation (even with my talkative Mom) despite being busy. The Easter menu was great too, compliments to the chef. My parents had the ham dinner with mashed potatoes & green beans, I had the salmon with asparagus, perfectly cooked. They have a nice beer & cocktail menu too. Highly recommend if in Cooperstown, I know I'll be back next time I'm there. read more

Just had a fabulous dinner at Mel's . Brian the owner was so sweet and attentive . Our waitress Carmen was so good and provided awesome service ! Everything was delicious .. The calamari , crab cakes , scallops etc excellent My bolognese pappardelle was so good everyone ate off my dish! We got so lucky on this find. Oh and compliments to chef John read more

Our family of 5 had dinner here and it was fabulous. From the scallops and Ahi tuna apps to the Moscow mules to the 12oz sirloin and 18oz Porterhouse steak and Scallop and lobster risotto dinners we loved every bit of our family dinner together. Thanks Mel's at 22 for an awesome family dinner while in Cooperstown. read more

Just showed up and luckily they fit me in. I know another review recommended a reservation but the site doesn't have that note or online reservation. I had a burger and tots and the portions were great. My wife got a drink which was pricey but strong so guess that's good. I'd recommend and return. read more

Great burger joint. Plenty of beer on draft. The burgers tasted like they came straight off a charchoal grill. Super friendly staff.

I wish I had taken pictures of the food, but did not. Probably because I couldn't stop digging into the dishes that were brought out. Started with crab cakes. After living in Maryland for a few years..this is a test of any restaurant for me. Mel's passed! Ordered a ribeye, medium rare and that's how it was cooked. Score! My husband's prime rib was delicious as well. The restaurant was packed (Saturday night) and a bit noisy, but the food made up for it. The service was good for how busy it was. Our drink order was taken right away and brought to the table in less than 2 minutes. This place is awesome and just has a really good vibe. Will definitely go back if we are in the area again. read more

On a recent trip to my family's summer camp in Maryland, NY, my mother and I found ourselves craving some good food over Memorial Day Weekend. We had already had an absolutely amazing meal at Farmhouse a few days earlier, and so we were hoping to keep our food-good-fortunes alive and well with a stop by Mel's on Sunday. We were not disappointed in the food -- in the least bit! Food: We stopped-in for lunch after coming from The Depot (restaurant) in Oneonta because it was closed for the holiday weekend. By the time we arrived to Mel's we were both very hungry, but observed that the portion size of the burger was MASSIVE. As such, we decided that we wanted to split the southern-style burger. Compiled in between two pillows of delicious bread dough was slaw, a perfectly cooked burger that had been lightly-kissed with just-the-right-amount of char, some incredibly tender, smoky, and sweet pulled pork, and a fried egg. We got this served with some of their specialty, pesto fries. This burger delivered! It activated my entire palette. From the perfectly seasoned burger, to the slightly vinegary slaw, to the sweetness from the pork, to the savoriness and velvetiness from the over-easy egg -- everything came together in beautiful concert. A symphony of awesomeness played in my mouth. Typically, I am the type of guy that likes a good ole fashioned, greasy burger with American cheese and some thousand island dressing. Every now and then though, I like to mix it up and let my inner-foodie out. This burger fully satisfied that. The pesto fries -- holy balls. These were legit. The freshness, coupled with the booming flavor makes these a must-have when you come to Mel's. Food: 5 / 5 Service: Our service was above average. Our server was not much of a chatter, but she was more pleasant than most, prompt, and efficient. Definitely better than average. Service: 4 / 5 Atmosphere: This was the one major problem that I had with Mel's, but also a point of enjoyment as well. The decor is chic, modern, and classy. White-cushioned benches that wrap around the restaurant, slat-colored walls, marble-white table tops, and some fancy chandelier-like lighting fixtures really fit the quality of the food I received. This place was chill and classy all at the same time, while not being overly pretentious or pompous. The friendly service also helped soften the interior to a point of extreme comfort. The problem was the flies. So many flies. Whoever made the decision to leave all of the doors in the restaurant open -- bad decision. Yes, it was a rather warm day in Cooperstown on that Sunday, but as soon as there were six dozen flies swirling around your light fixtures, you probably should have closed-up shop and turned on the A/C. It was really off-putting and completely toasted the experience. It brought back memories of eating a a sweaty Mexican restaurant we visited in Cozumel a few years back. I don't believe that is the atmosphere you were going for. Atmosphere: 2 / 5 (4 / 5, but - 2 points for all the flies ... gross) Price: I definitely got my money's worth for this meal. The burger was definitely big enough for me and my mother to share, and with the addition of the pesto fries, there was actually a little bit too much for us. We were stuffed and had one of the best burgers of our lives. Though, I could see how this could get very pricey with a group / family who is not sharing. Price: 4 / 5 Final Thoughts: I wish I could say that this was a perfect experience; but unfortunately the hordes of flies buzzing around the restaurant gave-off the impression of uncleanliness -- even if that wasn't the case. Despite that though, I highly recommend checking Mel's out. When you go, you have to try that burger -- at least once -- and do not forget the pesto fries! I strongly recommend Mel's; but also see how it could get extremely busy. I recommend making a reservation. We were able to walk-in and get seated at 3PM on a Sunday; but I'd be willing to bet that 6PM on a Friday may be a different situation entirely. read more