Now, I have to preface this review saying I am entirely biased in this situation because Mel's Drive In, next to the iconic Max Factor building is the type of Old Hollywood experience that brings me back to the city. You can go to a run down old diner in any city, but this is the city of the stars. On this trip even though we were already heading to the establishment it must have been an extra slow day because someone was out on the boulevard trying to direct traffic to the restaurant. About 1/3 of the tables were full when we walked in, and it took a few minutes for us to be seen and seated. The wait staff is perhaps a bit understaffed to really be at their best. Our server did not explain much to us as far as the jukebox at our table, if we could use it and how... it would have been nice to know that. I ordered a Caesar salad and a coffee milkshake. When the server asked me if I wanted a small or large salad I asked what the difference in size was, since it wasn't explained on the menu to which they just kind of shrugged at me. Regardless of the perhaps lackluster service I really loved my food, the true, lived in vintage aesthetic and overall experience. Is 10.25 perhaps a bit expensive for a milkshake, i'd say so....but considering the overpriced reality of any trip to Hollywood I think it's something I would not regret spending my money on. Even though I can see why someone would rate this spot a 3, I simply cannot let my own rating fall below a 5 because I know the next time I'm in town it will be looming in my mind as the ideal place to feed my belly and nostalgic heart. read more

I gotta say - I am truly shocked in the best way possible just how good Mel's Drive In is. Now, it's not the absolutely most spectacular meal I've ever had, but considering how much of a tourist trap it is and how small the crowd was for dinner on a Friday evening, it was pretty darn good stuff. Our server was Juno and she was one of the best waitresses around! Sweet, attentive, super friendly, and her smile couldn't be beat! I ordered the short rib grilled cheese with a side of twisty fries or curly fries, and a Grants milkshake.. The food is definitely expensive the sandwich alone was something like $25 for the sandwich plus $2 for the fries being "upgraded" to curly fries. The shake was $11. For the size of the sandwich, $25 is steep. But you do get a big pile of fries for the upgrade price. The sandwich was toasted well and crispy on both sides, the short rib was tender a tad dry but great flavor, and there was a good amount of cheese! I think it sat for a while because the cheese had congealed so the timing was a slight issue but didn't ruin the sandwich. The fries on the other hand were a big miss. They were SO salty and pretty dry, like my mouth was parched for water every time I ate a curly fry. I don't know what happened there but the $2 was a waste. Now back to the good - the shake was amazing. For $11 they give you a full glass plus the extra in the metal cup. It was so well balanced between the nutella and banana flavors without being overly rich or sweet. It was thick too and had really great consistency. Sadly the sandwich filled me up so I couldn't finish the shake but I would definitely return for a milkshake in the future! Overall, a solid experience and I was pleasantly surprised, and I'd be happy to return if I was in the area! read more

So, we decided to take a trip to Hollywood, after 12 years to show my daughter (who was in my belly at the time) and my niece who was born a year after, where my finance and I had a great time. Went to wax museum, ripleys, and mirrors, so on and so forth. Girls got hungry so we decided to go here. Sat down, got our menus... 10 mins go by we receive water by a female server.. just sets it down doesn't say anything and walks away. Another 5 mins go by no one at our table but noticed that the table who got sat right after us got helped right away. We decided after this, we were just gonna leave. Maybe they had their hands full, but just to wasn't worth it to wait. Also inside, don't expect to use the old school jukeboxes. read more

Antonio the manager was great but the service was SO bad. I ordered a shake, and asked our bunned server to hold the shake until the end of my meal. I asked for a margarita. I ordered potato salad with my burger. The shake came immediately, before my cocktail. I sent it back with the busboy. Our server came back with the shake, again before the cocktail, and I reminded him that I had "Literally told you to bring it at the end of the meal." He huffed and removed the shake. My margarita came with a thick line of salt. A server should ask "salt or no"? My burger came, with fries. When our server came back I told him I had not ordered fries. He said he didn't hear me and I responded, 'obviously'. I finished my sandwich. the fries sat there. We waited. The server came and dropped off food at another table, and when he passed ours, I asked, 'Where's the potato salad?" He said, "Oh, i'm not your server anymore." I had to track down the manager and he smoothed everything out. You know, I started my professional life as a server in restaurants. This was the worst. He didn't repeat the order, got most of it wrong, had a terrible blank-stare attitude, and did nothing to save the table. It's a diner, with basic food. The restaurant was practically empty. The server was inept. read more

Service took awhile, given there weren't many people in the diner at the time of our visit. Food was exactly what you'd expect at a diner. Setup was pretty cool though. We liked the vintage touches and retro feel. read more

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I wish I cud say something better... But all was well.. until i trusted the young lady "any shake can be vegan" I should have questioned her more as there is only one in the menu from "Arnold's protein shake" that says chocolate plant based..... to say the least.... She ruined my trip.... She was not honest and I am lactose tolerant and no NOT ALL shakes can be made lactose free.... The only reason why I even changed it to a shake was because the Dr Pepper we order were flat and not much flavor.... The burgers we all liked. Will not go back..... is a no to me. The restaurant is connected to the Hollywood Museum... I thought that was pretty cool. read more

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We were in the area doing some sightseeing and my friend, who lives in LA, wanted to try the iconic diner. I think the parking area next to the eatery is complimentary, but I am not sure because we parked in a lot that allowed us a few hours to stroll the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The restaurant definitely has the diner feel, decor, jukebox, and menu. Our three entrees included the tuna salad on a bed of lettuce, the French dip, and the Southern fried chicken. The accompanying fries were thin and crispy and addictive. Everything else was mediocre. The chicken was well seasoned but left a weird taste in my mouth. There was a herb I couldn't pinpoint that was not pleasing to my palate. The service was excellent. Prices are steep. My chicken meal was almost $30. The other meals were close to $20 each. With tax and tip, the bill was almost $90. read more

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Came here after seeing this place on Addie Bowley's video and decided to give it a try, considering the historic value. The first thing I noticed was the retro looking outside of the diner. I liked the complementary valet service as well, as the area doesn't have alot of private lots. The interior was also extremely retro and the jukeboxes on each booth only added to the cool experience. The food was not bad, not the best diner food I have ever had but definitely solid. The curly fries were really good though, I would say it definitely might be one of the better ones out there. The jukebox on our booth was either broken or the number system was broken or something. We just wanted our Christmas in May but we had to settle for the beach boys. Overall, great experience! read more

Mel's Drive In - Corned beef hash, eggs florentine and curly fries - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Iconic Diner! Been here multiple times for the aesthetic and for the collabs that they have. Vegan Lana del Rey shake is my go to! Okay so food: It is your typical diner food, nothing too special just think local burgers, fries, etc. In terms of price, I think it is way to expensive for what it is but you are paying for the name brand rather than the product. Lots of seating and the times I have gone it is open seating. Service is fast and pretty friendly. I believe they are opened 24/7 so if you go late pls tip well! Some of the waiters look very tired. Rating: 8/10 read more

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I really wanted to give this place 5 stars, but that wouldn't be fair to our server, Jimmy--and I'll explain why. Jimmy was an absolute rockstar. He greeted us with a smile, got our drinks out right away, and made sure everything was taken care of. All of our food came out hot and delicious--the short rib grilled cheese was amazing, and the chili was fire! The reason for the lower rating has nothing to do with Jimmy--it's the lack of teamwork. He was doing everything on his own, even helping with other servers' tables and greeting guests at the door. Meanwhile, other staff members were just standing around, moving slowly, and not offering any support. At one point, I asked another employee for creamer, and instead of helping, she just pointed at Jimmy. That really said it all. We honestly felt bad for him. Management should really address this, because the lack of teamwork at this location is noticeable and affects the overall experience. If you go here and want great service, definitely ask for Jimmy. read more

Mel's Drive In - Fresh hot coffee - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Ambiance was fine, service seemed fake-friendly. The food was to be expected. Just ok and overpriced. Didn't feel the magic this time at all. read more

Mel's Drive In - Creole Fried Chicken Sandwhich - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Mel's is the Hollywood Walk of Fame for people who actually eat. The only place where your hangover, your breakfast, and your movie dreams can all sit at the same table. If Hollywood had a diner, this would be it -- and it does, it's Mel's. Neon lights, chrome stools, and the ghosts of every tourist who's ever ordered a milkshake here still hovering by the jukebox. I came in for breakfast, but let's be honest -- you don't come to Mel's Drive-In for eggs and toast. You come because this place is iconic. The moment you step in, it's like time travel -- 1950s aesthetics, movie magic, and a vibe so unapologetically American it should come with a side of Elvis. The coffee? Jet fuel. The pancakes? Pillow-soft perfection. The bacon? Crispy enough to resurrect your faith in breakfast. I've had brunches in Beverly Hills that charged triple and tasted half as good. The Service: friendly, fast, and with just the right amount of Hollywood chaos. My waitress moved like she'd done this before Sinatra could drive, and still managed to smile while dealing with a table of influencers trying to film their omelets. Respect. Mel's has been feeding L.A. since 1947, when cars were steel, burgers were sacred, and selfies weren't a thing. The Highland location is a cinematic landmark -- right down the street from the Hollywood Bowl, where you can practically smell movie history with your hash browns. American Graffiti helped immortalize it, and the neon sign still hums with nostalgia and grease. Coffee so strong it could jumpstart a Tesla. You come for the food, stay for the people-watching, and leave questioning your life choices in a good way. Mel's Drive-In is a slice of old-school L.A. that refuses to die -- and thank God for that. It's loud, it's shiny, it's gloriously tacky, and the food hits harder than a Marvel reboot. You don't just eat here -- you time travel. If diners had Oscars, Mel's would sweep every category. read more

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A step back in time, where customers are respected and the food quality is top notch! Its a different dimension than the rest of hollywood. I came here alone, at opening and immediately started seeing people who made me feel like I was back home. The food recipes must never change because it brought back the happy days when my father would treat us to a mels breakfast...Ambience is clean and fun read more

Mel's Drive In - Me and Pancakes! Old Fashioned Buttermilk Pancakes 3-GF Pancakes - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Came here for the history to visit a classic American Hollywood diner. It lived up in the vibe. Food is overpriced but decent. We really enjoyed Mel's bomb breakfast burrito, but the breakfast sandwich was pricey and plain, though it was served nicely warm and freshly made. I'd come with out of town guests or people who love enjoy diner food. The parking lot is so convenient but expensive ($13 for 2 hours but only $3 for the 1st hour) read more

This completes my venture to all the Mel's Drive In restaurants in Los Angeles County. I have to say, this location seems to be the most iconic, as there's a Hollywood Museum right next door and double doors leading to the museum through Mel's! The parking is pay parking, but is validated by the restaurant. Because I was doing takeout, I was able to park for free. The food is always good at all of the locations and the service for takeout excellent. A special incentive for Santa Monica and Sherman Oaks locations is earning flight points through United and possibly other Dining Club members. I've only had breakfast at the locations, but would bet Dinner is busier and probably more savory and exotic entrees available. read more

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If you're visiting Hollywood you should definitely check out this historic diner. One that transports you to the past to Americas classic era of milkshakes, burgers, and jukeboxes. You instantly feel surrounded by the 50s era with the staff wearing full diner uniforms. I recommend trying a classic burger and milkshake with fries. read more

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Mimosa five dollars in the heart of Hollywood . Parking in back and in area ! Vibe is mellow and touristy ! Fries are akinny and seasoned YUM read more

Mel's Drive In - Mimosa me PLEASE - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Mel's is just an iconic restaurant you have to try, but when you do- You don't ever need to again. We came for a late night dinner m. We were seated immediately. Server was attentive and friendly. Food is mediocre at best. The meats have no flavoring. A few of the meals we had were the jalapeño burger, short rib nachos, patty melt and chili cheese fries. Everything lacked flavor, but the portions were pretty generous. read more

Mel's Drive In - Only took a picture of the Short Rib Nachos - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Reading some of the reviews I'm wondering if were at the same establishment, Mels Diner on Highland in Hollywood (not West Hollywood) Service for breakfast was great. Water on arrival, coffee arrived shortly after. Coffee cup kept filled throughout the meal. Food arrived reasonably quickly after ordering. Our server really worked. Atmosphere really builds on nostalgia with numerous photographs surrounding a classic diner with counter seating and booths. The exterior is not the iconic diner featured on their home page...but the Art Deco Max Factor building is at the same level. Parking is free for the first hour in the lot next to the restaurant. The food? My mushroom omelet was great, stuffed with very tasty mushrooms. It was made even greater after adding their pico de gallo. Perfectly cooked hash browns just added to what was already an enjoyable meal. Partners breakfast burrito was not equally enjoyed, nor were the home fries. (I would have added pico de gallo!) Finally, coffee was graciously poured even as we lingered after our meals were completed. A very enjoyable, delicious breakfast. read more

I'm a Mel's Drive In fan and this location is also awesome. The neon sign outside? Iconic. This location is right off Hollywood Blvd and I haven't ever had a wait. So if you need somewhere way better than fast food to dine while in the area, it's a good option. And it's good diner vibes for days! Some people played Otis Redding and I was bopping Sitting on the Dock of the Bay while chowing down. One of the best songs of all time playing while I munched away was heaven. Total diner vibes. Plus they have a parking lot, a rarity in Hollyweird for sure. Staff was kinda slow but it's a diner so you shouldn't come here to rush. They were very friendly though and incredibly attentive, hellos, goodbyes and friendly banter. Now the food is great at Mel's! It's pretty consistent across locations and the menu is huge. I'm not going to say I was sober here and the options were so plentiful that I was having a hard time deciding. But, I went with breakfast for dinner and had an amazing omelette which I'll recommend called "Steven's Favorite"...I hope it's some Steven I like. It had ham, avocado, cheese and a bit of sour cream on top with hash browns, really tasty and ended up making 3 meals for me. It was a huge portion but I like Steven's style and would get it again. My friend loved his chicken & waffles, as well. I'm always out and about around Hollywood so I'm glad to know this is a viable, no wait option for dinner. I'll obviously be back --- but when the adjoining Hollywood Museum is open! read more

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Mark was absolutely amazing. What a great experience he gave us. We're in town on vacation and he went over and beyond to give us exceptional service. The food was so delicious. Love the new Butterfinger shake. The building is such a neat layout. Overall 110%+!!!! Mark was super busy when we got ready to leave--seemed like he had the whole restaurant, but remained calm, cool, and collected. What a great server he is!!!! Thank you, Mark and Mel's for an incredible experience. Yummy. We will return when we get back to this area. read more

A classic diner with Hollywood history to it. A must to check out if you're visiting Hollywood or the West Hollywood location is the preferred one I would go to. I came here with one of my good friends. They ordered an impossible burger and according to my observation they murk that burger in less than 5 mins. You can say it did its job lol I came in wanting my vegan Oreo shake! They are delicious here, and when you get to the bottom of the glass you find the treasure of cookie crumbles all laid out together like love...the best haha! However, I think they forgot to add the whip cream and cherry on top of the shake but I didn't bother asking, still SLURPIN good. They should enlarge their glass size because I surely will order the larger size for this shake. A non guilty pleasure! I also wanted fries with my shake so we shared the fries that came with the burger. I ordered the chicken soup as well just to put something in my stomach since I went plenty hours of not eating due to a tattoo session I sat through. Soup was mid but still good enough to order if you're looking for less and want something to taste. I really just came for the Oreo shake and fries! We mellowed out during our time here and our server Rose was pleasant and attentive. My friend thought she was cute and she reminded me of Dakota Fanning. (I hope she sees this review) We left content. I will be back when I want my non dairy oreo shake :) read more

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Pretty decent mid priced diner food for a touristy area. Tried the turkey dinner. Guess it's all white meat. Pretty tasty. Really friendly service earns it an extra star. TVs to watch games. read more

Mel's Drive In - Turkey Dinner - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Food was good, service was great, prices were a little steep. According to the 15 year old birthday boy. lol. Shakes were $10.75 a piece so I split one with hubby - thought the metal container that comes with extra would another shake worth but it only had a little extra. Really enjoyed the curly fries and kids said regular ones were good too. Brought a huge slice of cake for the birthday boy but they don't sing. We made up for it for sure. It's a cute '50s themed place, right on Hollywood Blvd so we would go again. Just not that often due to price - parking right next to restaurant but it's valet only so add $ on for that as well. read more

Our family really enjoyed Mel's drive-in. It's right next to the Chinese Theater just off the Hollywood walk of fame. It has a classic diner vibe and is famous for its burgers and milkshakes. I thought it was tasty and enjoyed the french fries. Our server was absolutely fantastic and made it an incredible experience. read more

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Mel's was a lot of fun, a real nice throwback type place with friendly staff. They've got some different heating areas for variety and amazingly, a full bar! Cool history to the building and nice selection of items to choose from on the menu. Sandwiches were pretty good and our waiter was very helpful. read more

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Mel's has a classic diner vibe with counter seating and booths. Service for breakfast was great. Coffee cup kept filled throughout the meal and food arrived quickly. I ordered the veggie omelette with hash browns. The portion size was perfect, the omelette was packed with mushrooms, zucchini, squash and red bell pepper. read more

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Old school diner in the heart of Hollywood. I love the retro vibe. Had a yummy BLTA with fries. The fries were ok. Yummy iced tea. My favorite non alcoholic drink. Lol. Service was great! read more

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The ambience of this place is so cute, and really feels like a diner out of the 90s. We were immmediately greeted by a nice lady who seemed very happy to be there, which is always a nice change in LA. The food was pretty expensive for what it is, and not the best quality compared to other spots in the area... but they did have all the classic diner breakfast options. It's a fun place to take someone who'd not local and wants an old school experience. I would skip the "juice" as you can see from my picture.... But other than that it's a nice cozy place for an easy breakfast. read more

Mel's Drive In - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Huge disappointment. The ambiance was what pulled us in, but the food and service were mediocre. I should have read the reviews before we went there. The avocado toast was soggy, and we had to salt our food because it was so bland. I ordered coffee and they never came back to top it up. It took a really long time for them to deliver the food considering we were one of only two tables with people. read more

Food tastes like real food . I know that sounds weird . My burger wasn't your frozen flat thin meat patty . Large juicy and tasty . Employees very very friendly . Kids meals come in a paper Cadillac ( I think ) car . Just a fun place to go to . Try it you like it . read more

Mel's Drive In - Kids ( perfect size ) milk shake - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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What a fun nostalgic place to dine. Seeing the history on the walls was serene. Photographs of the Rat Pack, Beatles, Elizabeth Taylor, Alfred Hitchcock, and so so so much more .. it's echos Hollywood Glam with a warmth of Stick-to-your-bones home-cooked meals. Thank you for the food, the warm customer service, and this beautiful place.... I can't wait to come back for more. read more

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We were seated only to never have our order taken or even be offered anything to drink. We were told have a seat anywhere and that was all. We ended up just leaving after waiting for over 20min! read more

I ordered the grilled cheese with the fries and onion rings combo with a side of ranch dressing. The food was delicious. The onion rings are amazingly delicious, as are the fries. The grilled cheese came with 3 pickle slices. I wish they gave a few more pickles but everything else was perfect. The service was quick and courteous. The restaurant has a nice "50's" vibe with jukeboxes all around. They also sell magnets, t-shirts, pins, and other Mel's memorabilia. read more

Mel's Drive In - Grilled cheese - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Love the classic feel of this diner. Our server was only on her second day of work and she was so nice and attentive. Food was shockingly delicious. Got the chocolate malted shake which was just perfect. I got the turkey and goat cheese sliders and they were out of this world. The sweet potato fries were perfectly crisped. We did order margaritas when we sat down which didn't arrive before we finished our meals so we canceled the order. Overall this was a win. read more

Mel's Drive In - Chocolate malted milk shake which - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Mel's Drive In, in the historic Max Factor Building is an upscale dinner serving excellent food. The dinner room is a big airy space that adds to the dinning experience. The customer service staff is welcoming and do their best to make sure everyone is pleased. The restaurant has their own off street parking lot. I dined on their braised short rib dinner served with mashed potatoes and a vegetable medley, the dinner was a generous portion. The braised short ribs were delicious! The meat was tender and flavorful enhanced by the gravy. The mashed potatoes were fluffy and buttery, a pleasurable to eat. Vegetables medley was very good with the vegetables cooked Al denti. Over and an excellent meal. read more

Mel's Drive In - Short Rib Dinner - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I was told I could not have my service animal inside after we were seated. My family and I love the Mel's by our house in Sacramento and go all the time. I visited this location during my Christmas trip to see family when we decided to stop by Mel's for dinner. After being greeted, and even complimented on how cute my dog was, we were seated and my service dog, like always, laid in my lap. A few minutes went by and who I'm assuming is the manager came to our table and said "I'm sure your dog is really well mannered, but it's store policy that no animals are allowed inside, so the dog can't be here:" Instead of arguing or explaining, I decided to leave and my family ate elsewhere. We will never be returning to this location. read more

Mel's Drive-in, what can I say more about than that I love this place! The food, the people working there, and the place itself. A friend of mine invited me there for a very special day in my life here in the USA. I became a citizen, and she wanted to treat me. I've chosen to go to Mel's Drive-In. It just can't get more American to me than that. :) We had the great pleasure of a fantastic and friendly waiter. He was so welcoming and even had some good conversations with him. We sat outside by the sidewalk. The weather was just right. My friend ordered a Reuben sandwich with fries, and I was kind of torn in the middle. Somehow, I wanted mac n cheese, but to me, mac n cheese is only a side dish. So I would have needed some meat with it. I also would have liked that fried chicken with those waffle dishes. But I just couldn't get over those waffles and coleslaw. Those 2 items just made my hair stand up. Especially waffles with chicken. Sorry, this is one of those American foods I most likely will never understand and get used to. Even after 32 years. LOL So, I told this nice waiter about my issue. And he was so accommodating and suggested that I could have this chicken dish, and instead of the waffles and coleslaw, I could get mac n cheese. My friend and I had a very good time and loved our food. The waiter ( I hate to admit that I forgot his name. I'm sorry) came by to find out if everything was to our satisfaction, and we ended up having a great conversation. Again, this place is seriously Americana. Food is great, service is amazing, and the place just looks awesome. Sorry, I forgot to take photos. read more

We originally stopped by Mel's Drive-In hoping to catch the SKIMS pop-up, but to our disappointment, it had ended a few days earlier. Still, we decided to stay for lunch and I'm glad we did! My friend ordered the French toast, and I had the 2 eggs with bacon and toast. The food wasn't presented in an "Instagrammable" way like you'd expect from trendy brunch spots, but honestly, everything tasted fresh and delicious. The ambiance was probably my favorite part; cozy, nostalgic, and exactly what you'd want from a classic diner experience. Super cute and inviting. Overall, it was a solid 7/10 experience. I'd definitely come back for an easy, satisfying meal in a charming setting. read more

Mel's Drive In - french toast & eggs - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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It's been at least 6 years since the last time I've been to Mel's. The last time we were here everything was great. This last weekend we were in LA, my husband had a gig so we went to Mel's after the show since it's just down the street. The service was still great but the food has gone down hill. I had the fried chicken platter, mash potatos & veggies. I think something was off with the chicken, it tasted differnt but I thought it was the spices they used. Within a half an hr of getting back to the hotel my stomach got rid of it. We will never go back to Mel's, which is sad the music is great and the service is good but after getting sick I just can't go back. read more