Amazing breakfast and have an entire Gluten Free menu!!! It gets very busy on the weekend so come early or be prepared to wait. read more

My family and I first went to Mel's when we moved into Wayland over 20 years ago. For many years, it was a great place to have weekend breakfasts at reasonable prices. However, it had been quite a while since we last went to Mel's for breakfast. Times change and prices understandably increase. However, we were surprised at how small the portions were and how tasteless the food was. The skillet breakfast special had been described on the menu as eggs over shredded hash browns with bacon, onions and peppers. The unseasoned potatoes were barely cooked and it was difficult to find any bacon, peppers or onions. The dish was edible but very disappointing. On the way out, I saw the multiple plaques of "Voted Best Breakfast" on the wall but I noticed that they were all dated a few years ago. The Phantom Gourmet last visited the diner in 1990's so that was some time ago as well. It's a shame that the quality has gone down because we use to regularly enjoy breakfast at Mel's. read more

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. read more

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! read more

Great for breakfast. Opens at 6am and easy for before work meetings. Simple good food and friendly staff.

Disappointing. After hearing a few friends rave about it and waiting patiently as the impressive crowds filed through, my expectations were pretty high. Then came the limp waffle with a few thimblefuls of fruit on top (I miss you Soundbites); I could count the amount of french fries on my son's plate (and it's not like they were steak fries); and the coffee was lukewarm and bitter. Top this all off with slow, irritable service and I doubt I'll give this place another chance. Given all the good reviews, I'm sure my experience was out of the norm, but when I want a great breakfast, I don't like to take chances. read more

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. read more

Food was okay - but the service was slow. The hollandaise on my eggs benny was a little thin and the home fries a little undercooked for my tastes. This place was much better 10 years ago. To add insult to injury, they added an additional 10% against the 10% tip I left on my credit card for the lousy service and charged more than I authorized. Don't eat here if you want an honest charge against your CC - only pay by cash. read more

Walking in during lunch hour the place was rather empty; that should have been a sign to is. The place was empty yet we were seated on top of another couple.Worst eggs ever they tasted like rubber. The place is also dirty too. read more

I love going to Mel's it's one of my favorite breakfast/lunch places to go to. I love their omelettes and especially their smoothies. They have very nice service there all the time read more

Let's all be honest here. Food is OK. Wait staff not so hot. Moody and/or invisible. Invisible better but sometimes I need more coffee. Mel's not receptive to substitutions. Owner is usually on site but obviously doesn't care. I have been about ten times (don't ask), so my observation is not casual. FYI - I have owned 3 breakfast restaurants in a past life. read more

Great dinner. Very good place for breakfast and lunch. Very friendly staff.

The owner has a child with allergies so Mel's is very attentive to allergy needs. The service is great. The morning coffee and breakfast sandwiches are a good deal (and better than Dunkin options. The wait staff is friendly. read more

This is a great weekend breakfast/brunch spot! I'd driven by here millions of times and finally dropped in one Saturday and was greeted by super-friendly service, a great menu (typical b-fast fare) and good prices. I had an enormous omlette & homefries for under $10 - delicious. The place appeared to be nice and clean too, which is always a plus :) Nothing fancy, just simple local place with good food and service. Seems like it was mostly filled with local families who return every weekend. read more

Overpriced. Slow. raw home fries every freakin time. omelets are not that big. pretty good french toast. A couple of the waitresses are nice once they get to know you. Owners are low on social skills. read more

went here on a sunday morning, was very happy with my experience. there was a line to get seated, but we only waited a few minutes. the coffee was fine, i ordered the meat lovers omelette, something i almost always get at breakfast/brunch places. and this was one of the best ever, so much cheese, sausage, ham, and bacon packed in the eggs. service was great, i would definitely return. read more

The food is very average at best, and the service is less so. Some days the food is pretty good, but usually it disappoints. I much prefer J&M Diner for breakfast. I am glad I found it, and I have been longing for something better. read more

Food is good waitress was a little abrupt at first, but it got better. I think they have regulars and we were new faces

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

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. read more

Mel's is, as was first described to me, an institution. It's truly local, family friendly, nice waitstaff, and good food. You're not going to get fine dining, and even some of the basics, like bacon and eggs, can be so-so. But if you're looking for great hash or a (surprisingly) good burger, Mel's is your place. (If they could up the coffee game, we'd be in 4-star territory, but a diner's a diner.) read more

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! read more

The staff is great but the food is so-so and very overpriced. The breakfast special is a great deal though. (coffee & egg sandwich for $1.99!) 9 times out of 10 my lunch order gets screwed up. The last time I got lunch here I waited 20 minutes after the time they told me to go there to pick up my grilled cheese sandwich to get back to work and find a soggy ham & cheese sandwich... read more

Mel's has the best breakfast and lunch in the area - much better than the fancy Boston restaurants. The food is great and the prices reasonable. The service was outstanding - many of the waitresses have been there for man years. The owners are always there and make sure that everything is running smoothly. I highly recommend it. read more

Mel's has been a favorite of mine for nearly two decades. Whether you're in need of a quick bite, or want to linger over a meal with a friend, Mel's is a great spot. My favorite restaurant for breakfast any time of the day. I have a weakness for their corned beef hash -- amazing. I prefer it cooked well-done (ok, almost charred) to add a little crunchiness; and they're always happy to accommodate this strange request (thanks, Gus). They have iced coffee year-round, which is great for us crazy New Englanders who insist on drinking iced coffee when it's 15 degrees outside. Mel's also does a great job with office catering and has great take-out options for breakfast and lunch. I'm amazed at how close the staff is to their customers. Connie, Helen, Pauline, Linda, Stu, PJ, Diane and many others have made me feel welcome for years. Mel's feels like family, not just a family restaurant. read more

Ugh! So much for fast service and tasty breakfast. We arrived just after the morning rush and it seemed the servers were too exhausted to work anymore. I food arrived late and it was just your average diner, nothing exceptional. It was also almost $40 for just the two of us. Too pricey! read more

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. read more

I have been at Mel's twice in the last week. My lobster roll was the worst ever. The lobster did not taste like fresh lobster. Today, my french toast was of the Eggo variety. Simply warmed up in the microwave. Certainly, not recently cooked. Has Mel's been sold? I cannot believe this is the same management!! Whatever the reason, this place has slid downhill almost overnight ! read more

I've been here a several times over the past few years and their food and service has really declined. I used to really love this place and wanted to come here all the time to get an eggs benny. However, my recent visit was incredibly disappointing. My eggs benny was really not an eggs benny... the eggs were not runny, the sauce looked like it had been sitting out cold for too long, the english muffin was completely raw and cold, etc. The home fries look like someone just chopped up some potatoes and threw them in the oven for five seconds (despite me asking for them to be made well-done). The service is pretty nonexistent and sometimes a little rude and the food takes awhile to come out even when the restaurant is not busy. They do have other good items on their menu, but I don't think I'd take the risk to come back here and be disappointed again. read more

Yes Food Allergy Friendly! Mel's really one me over when they bent way over backwards to accommodate my food allergies. One of the owner's children has food allergies so they are really on top of it. One of the first places that didn't make me feel like a lower life form for having food allergies. read more

Great breakfast spot! Excellent service and relaxed, welcoming staff. Prices very reasonable, food really good and portions excellent.

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

Great food! Always busy but they keep things moving without making you feel rushed.

What can I say...I'm a sucker for Egg's Benedicts. Their classic benedict is really good and you can be sure that they will have some kind of twist on it over the weekend (last weekend was Skillet Benedict - eggs benedict over hashed potatoes with onion) read more

I have been doing a breakfast cheap eats for the past few weeks and this is by far the best coffee I've had. But I can only give it a satisfactory rating, which I will elaborate. So the best thing was the good coffee, I can't stress the importance of a good cup of coffee at 7:30 in the morning. Clean dining room, the waitress was a little curt with my dining companions because they are a little Sally-esque (When Harry met Sally), asking how everything is cooked what's in it, blah, blah, blah, just eat it and if you don't like it put some bacon on it. Bacon makes everything better! I had the supreme omelet, [it had bacon in it =)] the one thing I can't stand is raw onions and this thing had a pound of onion in it, at least I could pick most of it out. J.L. had the lite fresh toast 500 calories, good but very heavy/dense. J.M. had the veggie omelet and once again the veggies were undercooked. This was my first time, maybe the second time around will be better, I always try to gave a place a second chance. read more

It's a really nice breakfast joint and the eggs bene they do are pretty tasty, but in the end it's really not that much better than other breakfast places in the area, and the prices are a little high for what you get. read more

My camp calls Mel's their "summer caffeine," great place for iced coffee. The breakfast was really good, I got and liked the eggs with lox, onions, and a bagel. read more

Six of us went today for breakfast. Food was good, service was good and the waitress (older woman) smiled. Unsure why so many had negative reports about the place. Omelets were tasty, no complaints. Keeping in mind it is a "diner" and not a fancy restaurant, I'd go back. read more

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. read more

Good place for breakfast, reasonably priced and not too noisy. Always have a pleasant waitress who is prompt and nice. Meals are average and the place is child friendly. read more