Been here a couple of times now and it's become one of my go to diners in the area. The food is good, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the portions are generous for the price. I ordered an omelette sandwich while my gf went with the ham steak breakfast, and we shared a peanut butter milkshake that was surprisingly good. I can see this place getting pretty packed during the breakfast rush, but we stopped by for a late brunch and had no trouble finding parking. It's conveniently located near the 10 freeway, though traffic around the area can get a little hectic read more

Mel's Drive-In on Lincoln Blvd is one of our favorite spots, and we visit often. On this visit, I ordered the steak and eggs, and my girlfriend had the French toast with bacon and eggs. Everything was delicious, and the breakfasts here are always incredible. We definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone craving classic American food. It has easy parking, a welcoming atmosphere, and good accessibility, which makes the whole experience even better. Coffee never runs out! read more

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I told Sam I would like 2 OE eggs, HB, Bacon and pancakes. He said perfect I have a breakfast like that. It came out with scrabble eggs. He never checked on me once. I went to pay, it was $33.64. One of the worst, most expensive breakfasts I have ever eaten at a Diner. Oh, and I had water to drink... $33.64!!! read more

This restaurant is like the ones you would have found in the 50s. They are playing oldies, so I like the music. Prices are really high compared to regular places that you would go, but it has a 50's theme and it's interesting. $58 for 2 burgers, fries, and a soda with tax. Waitress was very busy. read more

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My first time at this place, I had the Mills famous burger with their fries and a Andy Palmer drink. Our server was great. The food was great right on historic route 66. I highly recommend this place. It was my first time it will not be my last time at this place they do offer military discount in the ambience was great. Staff was great. We got our food pretty quick. I would definitely come back to this place. read more

Mel's Drive-In - Diners Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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These trolls "filled" an order close to closing time and let the coco robot make its way to me under the guise that the order had been filled. It took an extra 45 minutes to "fill" the order and took the robot another 20 minutes to deliver.....empty. Dear Mel's, If you don't want business near closing, just say so. Don't waste our time. It's insulting to customers and quite honestly, should be embarrassing for you. Half star read more

I have been wanting to visit this Mel's Diner ever since it opened a couple of years ago. It worked out as a good friend of mine was working nearby so I drove all the way up from the OC. It brought back great memories of going to the Mel's off Sunset during my college years a LONG TIME AGO. Great service. Got one of their scrambles I forgot which one. Simple black coffee. Great breakfast meal. It's a fun experience. Will probably make this our annual meet up spot. Thank you Mel's read more

Mel's Drive-In - Something scramble with hashbrowns. - Diners Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Came here while having friend from out of town visiting and we decided coming here based on the cool ambiance and location. Service was top notch and the food was delicious! read more

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Iconic American diner with good service and tasty diner food. It's like you stepped inside the American Graffiti movie. We stopped in about a half hour before closing, but never felt rushed by Leah, our server. We started with a couple milkshakes: a Vanilla Caramel ($10.25) and a Chocolate Malted ($10.75), both delicious. We also ordered a couple burgers: Melburger ($19.95) and fries, and a Sunset Burger ($24) with onion rings (+$3). The burgers were well-seasoned and very tasty. Fries and onion rings were crispy on the outsides and soft on the insides. Overall, a fun diner with good food and service. We'll definitely be back. read more

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I have been to many other Mel's locations around Los Angeles and in San Francisco, but I would say that this is probably the most famous location given the fact that it sits on the terminus of the original Route 66. Now the end is listed as the start of the Santa Monica Pier, however this was the original end. This location is just like the others, it's a traditional retro diner complete with a large menu and fast service. Inside is very large with counter and booth seating and it's consistently good every time I visit. This location has a large free parking lot attached in the back and on the side so parking is pretty easy. Our server was very polite and everything that we ordered came out very fast. Every time I come here, I get the tuna melt with avocado, which is what I did again for this visit. I did mix it up a bit and got the curled fries and added chili cheese on top and honestly really enjoyed that as well. You can't go wrong with their tuna or patty melt and honestly everything else I have tried here has been really good too. I also often get the club sandwich so can recommend that as a good option as well. Mel's is a great diner option for any age and I plan to be back again in the near future. read more

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I hate surprise bills! When restaurant owners understand that patrons might be out-of-towners or tourists, and decide to sneak in surprise charges, I find the trend distasteful (pun intended). To note: the ice tea, an item costing pennies to make was $5.50! Again, $5.50 for an ice tea. So when the bill arrived imagine my surprise! Pancakes, the reason for me coming there were burned and had an off putting burned taste. Server replaced them, but the new batch, albeit "blonde" looking, still had burned flavors probably, I'm assuming, because the griddle wasn't cleaned between the burned batch and the new one, and this time the batter was raw in the middle. Retro ambiance was nice and the retro look and music were fun. Do better Mel's! read more

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Decided to go back after many years and instantly wondered why I'd not been back! Nostalgic decor and working tableside juke boxes make it a fun place for locals and tourists. The food is classic diner, but made with good quality ingredients and by people who know how to consistently turn out the perfect doneness of eggs and meat. Service is top notch with people who have obviously have experience dealing with various groups of all ages. My favorites lately are the sunset breakfast, jalapeño burger, tuna melt, club sandwich and meatloaf. I found the fried chicken a bit too salty and not that crisp, but it was juicy. I love the coleslaw so much it's always my go to side. Portion sizes are huge so I always end up taking some food home. Bring quarters so you can play with the jukebox! read more

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Food was amazing waitress was amazing and plenty of food and was quick to get food to table read more

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Pretty cool classic American diner. There is a parking lot to the rear of the business. I'd recommend the smash burger or the meatloaf! Awesome waiter! Food came out relatively fast. read more

Mel's Drive-In - Smash Burger All American Meat Loaf - Diners Near Me - Santa Monica, California

I went to Mel's Drive-In in Santa Monica recently. I dined in. I had the Nutella French Toast along with a Thick Old-fashioned Strawberry Milkshake. I enjoyed the food and drink. The service was good. read more

Mel's Drive-In - Diners Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Today I took my wife and collage friend to lunch at Mels Drive In. It used to be called Penguins and the Penguin is still at the top of the sign. Since moving to the Los Angeles area in 1986 I never ate at Penguins or Mels and this is the first time. This place is another slice of the Americana Diner Scene. It is well furnished with cool, kitchy paraphernalia from days gone by. It is a really great place to eat. The food was really good. I had the pastrami sandwich with sweet potato fries and my wife had. The Aji tuna sandwich with a side of coleslaw. Both our sandwiches were very good and had an ample amount of filling. My sweet potato fries were a little bit on the soggy side and her coleslaw was not anything we were used to. The sandwiches were both really good. Service was with a smile and our server was extremely bubbly and nice. We arrived for lunch at about 2 PM and the restaurant was pretty quiet so we were able to talk and hear each other. I think the spot is good to have a casual meal at . I had heard that they only take cash but they actually took my credit card. read more

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Mel's Drive In at the end of Route 66 is a classic blast from the past and not just because of the jukeboxes. Walking in, the open, airy space hits you first, whether you grab a counter seat or cozy up in a booth. Easy parking in the lot means you can roll in stress free, which is perfect because you're about to commit to the short rib sandwich. Juicy, cheesy, and packed with flavor. that's worth every bite. Nostalgia never tasted so good! read more

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Why go to those over priced modern cafes! Come here for a traditional diner experience. Fresh friendly and fantastic food. The music the old disco boxes and stools. Nothing like an 80s breakfast. Come and great real food Ba those Santa Monica phony glamorous over priced foods! read more

Mel's Drive-In - Killer huevos rancheros!! - Diners Near Me - Santa Monica, California

"This is your classic 1950s diner with some unexpected high quality food! There's plenty of parking in their lot and the inside is well maintained with lots of memorabilia that transports you to another time. Well worth the stop for a historic end of Route 66 experience. Our server was amazing, checking in on us frequently to fill our waters and our food was delivered quickly and piping hot! The shakes are crazy sweet, but satisfy the craving for a classic milkshake, though I recommend splitting it because it's a lot to consume on your own along with a meal. They even bring you the actual metal shaker full of the leftovers that didn't fit in the glass. I ordered the Lana Del Rey and LOVED how much chocolate and oreo chunks were in it. For my meal, I got the Short Rib Grilled Cheese and appreciated the balance the sauce on the side added to the sandwich as that much cheese and meat can be heavy, but the acidity really balanced out each bite, cutting through some of that dairy and meat grease. The sourdough was buttered and toasted, and the fries were really crispy and well seasoned. read more

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Came in on Saturday for my brothers bday and the service was top tier . The host was very welcoming and helped me make his day very special , thank you! We also had great service from our server & Mr. GG . We def recommend this place for a yummy breakfast and clean atmosphere. Really appreciated the service . read more

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American Classic! My daughter has a new found love for old-fashioned diners. So every chance we get, we try to visit one. On our recent trip to LA, we stopped by the Mel's Diner in Santa Monica. We visited a little after 7pm on a Saturday night. There was a good amount of people in the restaurant but we were seated immediately. This place was great. From the moment we walked in, the staff was so nice and had all the diner vibes we were looking for. Very clean all around. The rest room had a check-in log on the door that shows when it was last cleaned. The paper was current for the day, and every hour up until 4pm was initialed. It was after 7pm when I went. So they were a little behind, but it was clean and knowing that it was being checked was a good sign. Most places I have seen the check-in log with the wrong date! So a couple hours behind on a weekend...I can give grace. The food was fantastic and came out SUPER fast. I was shocked at how fast food started coming out after we ordered. But everything was hot and fresh!!! Food quality was good and is what we were expecting for a diner. It's not gourmet food. It's fast, quick, comfort! Exactly what we were looking for. read more

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I finally made it to Mel's Drive-In!! I've become a fan lately of the classic California diners so I had to check out Mel's! I tried their Nutella French toast and hash brown, crispy! The French toast was great to share unless you're really hungry! I asked them to hold the power sugar because it just makes it too sweet. The staff were super friendly and nice. From the parking valet attendant to the host. The ambiance it's what makes Mel's! If you're lucky to get a booth, ask one with a juke box. It takes quarters to play a song! If you need change, go up to the host and they carry a bunch of quarters! I can't wait to come back and try more of their food :) Good amount of parking in the lot surrounding Mel's but just in case there are no spots, free valet is available. Make sure you tip the nice attendant. read more

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Pleasantly surprised. Cost was on the higher end. Steak was medium rare and eggs were over medium per my request. Hash browns were good to go as well. Service was good - on brand with a diner. Ambiance was on brand with diner type environment and feel. read more

Mel's Drive-In - Diners Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Mel's Diner was one of those experiences that wasn't bad, but it wasn't particularly good either. I'd describe it as hit or miss. Our server was attentive overall, though at times seemed a bit impatient with the kids, which stood out since diners are typically family-friendly spaces. When it came time to pay, a comment along the lines of "if you want to leave a tip" felt unusual and a little awkward, and it took away from an otherwise routine checkout experience. On a positive note, my grandchildren ate everything on their plates, which genuinely surprised me and speaks well to the food. As for ambiance, the diner feels dated and could benefit from a refresh, which might help improve the overall atmosphere. While the visit wasn't terrible, something about the experience didn't quite click for me, and for now, I don't see this becoming a regular stop. read more

Great old fashioned diner. Food is great. Wonderful ambience. Love going to Mel's Drive-In.

Very 80's themed diner, waitresses are super attentive, and food was ready in no time. Price is average $20 a plate. I ordered the charbroiled chicken sandwich with their fries, and I have to admit ; this was the best chicken sandwich I've had. It is full of flavor , just charred perfectly . The fries are fresh and hot , I was not expecting such delicious fries in all honesty; pictures do no justice. The music in the background definitely adds to the ambience. I will be coming back when I'm in the area , for a diner ; IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. read more

Mel's Drive-In - Chicken charbroiled sandwich - Diners Near Me - Santa Monica, California

We came in after a long day of touristing and the place and food felt heavenly. I ordered the sunset burger and it was HUGE, proportions are so big and generous. They also had pies, which aren't my thing, but my friend really enjoyed it. Would go back 100% read more

Mel's Drive-In - Sunset Burger - Diners Near Me - Santa Monica, California

This is the best of the Mel's Drive-in restaurants! Service was spot on and the food filling and delicious. I was particularly happy with the environment and atmosphere of the restaurant. It was lively and moving with both children and older adults equally represented among the patrons and visitors. Remember to bring quarters for the working jukebox or directly from your table! read more

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$39 for two eggs, one piece of toast, two tiny burnt sausage links, oJ and coffee. $39 - plus tip. Not even two pieces of toast. No wonder they are empty. read more

Great food! Great service! Great ambiance! Oh my gosh!! Originally we were in our way to another restaurant BUT I live in Santa Monica a couple blocks away from here and it looks so aesthetic and cute from the outside, we had to stop to try the food We came for dinner And we're NOT disappointed!! The grilled cheese and tomato soup incredibly delicious. The cheese and the bread were cooked very nicely. The tomato soup was full of creaminess and spices. The brisket grilled cheese was incredibly delicious as well. The brisket was cooked very well and it was very juicy. The fries were even amazing! They were cooked and seasoned very nicely and were not soggy and we're made fresh. We also got a strawberry Oreo milkshake, which was incredibly delicious and fresh as well. They gave us the extra amount in another cup, which was nice because you really got the amount that you paid for! Overall great experience and we have to go and try their breakfast !! read more

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Today wasn't the greatest but still worth the drive. I got the J's Jalapeño burger, medium, which came out charred. The burger tasted ok but could have been better. Ruben sandwich was dryer than expected and could have used more sauce. The chili dog was flavorful but have had better chili in LA. And... they don't have chicken fried steak!!! That needs to be added to the menu. Will say though, the strawberry shortcake desert was quite delicious. Service was a bit rushed but he brought everything out promptly. The Dodgers are losing, so everyone is sad :( read more

Mel's Drive-In - Strawberry shortcake - Diners Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Classic American diner, and I'm from Jersey so high bar to clear. Great menu, great service, amazing atmosphere, right there at the official end of Rt 66. If you're in the area this is a must stop!! read more

Delicious!!! Our server Mark was so amazing!! What a great down to earth guy, kept us laughing. Absolutely love the 50-60 drive thru theme they just don't make diners like this anymore. Worth the drive for us coming from Ventura!! read more

Mel's Drive-In - French Dip Sandwich with Garlic Parmesan Fries!! - Diners Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Came here on a date for lunch. Ordered the chicken fried chicken with eggs over easy, hash browns and biscuit and gravy. Very delicious! He ordered an egg whites omelette with bell peppers. The egg was placed over the veggies not blended inside like a usual omelette. He didn't care for it that way but wasn't aware that's how they made it. He also ordered side of turkey sausage and oatmeal. Nostalgic spot with old school juke boxes at every table. It's self parking here. No issues. Service was good. read more

They must be known for the short ribs. The dinner was decent, the service however was not the best. Waited a long time just for the check, felt like the waiter ignored the table. I then ordered two pieces of pie to go, that took about 20 minutes to receive, and definitely was not worth the hassle. The location was convenient. Overall, the food is decent, nice little historical spot to check out read more

I was here for a cherry pie. But the female waitress was super rude and condescending with a bad attitude even before I found a seat. She said I could take any seat I wanted. And later quipped only the ones with the table setting I decided to leave without ordering anything from here and I won't ever be back ever again. It was shocking as the west Hollywood Mel's I frequent often and they are always kind there But here it sucks read more

I'm so glad I finally got to try Mel's! I loved the patty melt and I had a bite of my partner's chicken pesto melt and it was amazing too! Bottomless iced coffee was a hit for us and the fries were perfect for me. Good service, classic diner ambience, nice restroom, and PARKING. I know I've been living in LA too long when I'll try anywhere that has free parking lol. read more

Mel's Drive-In - Chicken Pesto Melt with side salad - Diners Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Starting Rt 66 from the west and had to make this a stop. Retro decor, friendly staff, quick service, and one of THE BEST burgers I have had in a long time. Super juicy, crisp bacon....just perfection. read more

Mel's Drive-In - Retro booths with jute box - Diners Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Food was good. Ambiance was fun and right in the heart of some LA fun! The service was good. We were looking for a diner experience and it hit the spot. Nothing to write home about and exactly what we were looking for. read more

I ordered take out on Uber Eats takeout and upon getting home my son and wife shared the chicken noodle soup. As soon as they were taking their first spoonfuls they notice a cooked fly mixed amongst the vegetables. I immediately went back to the restaurant thinking they were at least going to attempt to make things a little better by offering me another item. I discretely made my way in and showed the manager the soup. The manager had a blatantly unapologetic attitude. He inspected the soup and then offered me another to go bowl, which I declined to take as my wife and 8 year old would not have dared to try it after being so grossed out. He then said he can only do a refund. I reluctantly accepted. I then waited 15 minutes while they were trying to figure out how to refund me thru Uber Eats. After waiting so long he came out and said he's only able to refund me in cash. I again politely asked why it was difficult for him to simply offer me another item to try to make the situation a little better, I really didn't want the refund, I just wanted a sandwich to feed my kiddo especially after waiting so long while they were trying to refund me. He grew increasingly frustrated and turned his back away from me while I was talking after basically throwing the refund at me. In short, this restaurant nor manager, seem to care eating the costs of a club sandwich to make a customer's negative and gross experience a little better. I dared to let the restaurant patrons know that they should not order or eat the soup as I exited the building, something I wouldn't have done had I been treated with respect and understanding. read more

Mel's Drive-In - Diners Near Me - Santa Monica, California