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    The Original Mel's Diner

    3.3 (284 reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours
    Updated 1 month ago

    Waitlist - The Original Mel's Diner

    Live Current wait: 31 - 46 mins

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    THE ORIGINAL MEL'S DINER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Touristy
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Bigger than it looks and for $9.99 you can share with ease!
    Rick P.

    Always loving Mel's. For me, Reno/Verdi location is my favorite. Bigger place with 2 or 3 times the memorabilia than any other. You walk out of this Mel's and it lands you DIRECTLY in front of Boomtown's William Hill sports book, inside the Boomtown Hotel Casino. Yeah man, my favorite Mel's. I was just interrupted from writing this review as a waiter requested all guest sing happy birthday to someone. A 1st for us at Mel's. I get down with Mel's breakfast. Denver, Mel's potatoes, sourdough, and DC. You've got the proper condiments, and a sweet selection of jams. Tonight, we ate elsewhere but came here for a banana split. $9.99 got us a giant one. It was way more than we could eat. As diners go, Mel's is always a lock. Our visit was exceptional. We'll definitely be back for the fantastic service and all the rest!

    Grabbing dinner with friends.
    Steve C.

    Old fashioned diner feel with American Graffiti motif. American comfort food with decent portions. They were able to accommodate our party of ten on a Saturday afternoon. They don't do separate checks so be prepared.

    Barbara S.

    Boomtown has always been a stomping ground when heading to Reno/Tahoe to visit family. We stopped in Mel's for a quick lunch as we had dinner reservations at 7 for the rib cook off in Sparks. It wasn't busy yet had to wait approximately 10 minutes to be seated because "the server was playing catch up." It took another 15 minutes to get a drink order which was taken by a manager then another few for our server to come for food order. We ordered the sampler which came with a lot of yummy fries, 2 chicken wings which were cold and small, 3 tenders which had no taste with a thick coating of batter, cheese sticks that lacked any warmth at all without a melt and onion rings. The ambiance of Mel's is old time 50's with cute art and photos. Our experience was a little disappointing but most likely will pay another visit.

    Menu
    Juliane L.

    My husband and I came here to try their vegetarian burger, added onion rings. It was delicious. You can even play keno at the dinner table which is rare. The server was nice and got our order correct. The old diner atmosphere was neat. This was our first visit and we will be back.

    Patricia S.

    Stopped by Mel's to get some breakfast. My mom and I were seated pretty quick. The food was pretty good. The waiter that came and took our order was really nice. Will be stopping by on the next trip to Reno. Inside of Mel's was pretty nice.

    Asked for lightly scrambled and got hard scrambled eyes, asked for butter twice, got none,asked for missing butter and that took 10 mins.
    D D.

    We ordered room service thinking this was an amazing offer to our vacation stay, boy were we wrong. The food was luke warm, steak overcooked, bread burnt, the notes were not honored until we called to ask for the butter I stated in two notes, took ten minutes to bring up butter. We paid good money for what should of been a 20 dollar breakfast at best. During this vacation we have eaten at Mel's in Boomtown 3 times, this was so bad it has us considering not eating at Mel's again. Disappointed

    Yummy garlic fries!
    Karen F.

    This is our breakfast spot on our way home from Reno every time!! I usually get the blue burger which comes with onion straws and blue cheese crumbles with a side of buffalo sauce. Always yummy! The garlic fries are loaded with garlic and Parmesan cheese. Service is always good and some of the servers have been there forever! Definitely worth stopping in and getting a burger

    Seafood Combo

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    12 days ago

    Good food had a real milk shake was wonderful. Service was quick and friendly. The ambiance is old time rock and roll visuals.

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    4 months ago

    We love the atmosphere and the food is always great here not to mention one of the best milkshakes I've ever had

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    6 months ago

    My server was awesome I think her name is Kayla or Katie Food was great and service.

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    1 year ago

    Great place to stop and relax for a bit! The staff and food and great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    Page 1 of 8

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    Sasquatch Tavern and Grill

    Sasquatch Tavern and Grill

    4.5
    (555 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    Sasquatch Tavern is such a gem! Parking right outside, plus the patio is open for summer, which…read moremakes it such a fun spot to hang out. The drinks are STRONG, and the food portions are absolutely massive especially considering how reasonable the prices are! We were so excited to celebrate my husband's birthday here, and the staff went above and beyond to make it special. And you HAVE to love the decor it's quirky, fun, and totally fits the "come as you are" vibe. They also serve breakfast, so you can easily make this a morning stop or come by later for drinks and a big meal. Great drinks, huge portions, reasonable prices, welcoming staff, and an atmosphere that doesn't take itself too seriously. Definitely a place we'll be back to!

    I've been here to the Sasquatch Grill here in Verdi lots of time over the years. Mostly on my way…read moretowards or leaving the Reno area on the 80. This time I'm here with my crew that I met up with in Sacramento on our way on 80 East heading towards Salt Lake City. This is gonna be a long drive but it beats flying with 5 people and all the gear we carry. WE pull into Sasquatch and go in. We get a table in the middle of the room. The inside looks just like it always did with that Sasquatch statue standing there. The service is super friendly and we all order drinks. No beer this time, we're all on the road and some of us gotta drive. I decide to get something different this time, the steamed clams. My guys get 2 of the steak sandwiches, one gets fish and chips and the one other girl on the crew gets a chicken salad of some sort. The food arrives in a decent amount of time. My clams look delicious, though I thought the clams were on the small side, but there were a lot of them. The steak sandwiches looked good as usual as did the fish and chips. Next time I think I might go back to the steak sandwich. The clams really didn't fill me up, but I got some fries off one of the guys. Sasquatch is still on my list of best places to stop to eat when traveling the 80 near Reno.

    Photos
    They have gaming
    They have gaming
    Sasquatch burger
    Sasquatch burger
    Sasquatch Tavern and Grill

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    Sierra Cafe

    Sierra Cafe

    3.3
    (70 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    Stopped at Sierra Café in Reno before heading into Lake Tahoe and honestly... casino cafés kind of…read morehit when you need a little pre-road trip moment. The food was good, the stop was easy, and it was exactly what we needed before the drive. But the main character of the whole experience was our waitress, Elvia. She was such a sweetheart genuinely so kind and attentive without doing too much. Like, immediately good vibes. Cute little Reno stop. Would absolutely come back before another Tahoe trip.

    Walking in, we noticed this great little spot. It seemed like it was gonna be great for breakfast…read more We were seated quickly in our drinks were brought out quickly. The house this was very nice and our waitress showed up in no time .The menu had quite a bit of everything on it. It had a great choices for breakfast lunch and dinner all in one menu. My wife had what was called the four deuces pancakes, two sausage, two bacon eggs and she said it was all very good. I went with the chicken fried steak. I read a couple of reviews where they said their chicken fried steak was overcooked in things. Mine wasn't. Mine was very good. The gravy was good. I substituted the bread for a biscuit and upgraded for $1.99 and got the gravy. It was all super yummy. The bacon could've used some work from my wife's plate lol but other than that, everything was super good. The reason that I didn't give it a five star is because it was extremely pricey four dollars for a drink and $15 for a breakfast like this is quite high. If you're hungry and headed out of town, this is a place to stop or there's a couple other ones over by Boomtown Casino.

    Photos
    Booths at the front windows
    Booths at the front windows
    Sierra Cafe
    Total interior reboot and renovation

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    Total interior reboot and renovation
    Outlaw Coffee Cafe

    Outlaw Coffee Cafe

    4.7
    (157 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $

    Absolutely love this hidden gem! Not my first time here but grabbed a breakfast burrito (YUM!),…read moremuffin and iced latte this morning. The portion for the burrito was outstanding! It was loaded with what tasted like fresh potatoes, spinach and veggies and loved that it was NOT drowning in cheese. I personally thanked the chef as it was probably one of the best breakfast burritos I have eaten in a long time. Not sure where the cranberry orange muffin came from and my vanilla latte with oat milk both were perfect. The young ladies who work the front are so friendly and welcoming. Very , very nice staff. And I really love the somewhat hidden way location with the (small) but welcoming front patio . Absolutely worth the drive or stop by if you are in Verdi. My only "disappointment" is that they do have fairly limited hours - even on the weekend.

    We stopped by on our bike ride for a quick pick me up. We ordered an almond sugar free vanilla iced…read morelatte and almond milk Black Forest iced latte. The sugar free vanilla latte is was meh, got the job done. I don't expect spectacular when I order that drink. The Black Forest has some real potential if ordered with regular milk and hot. We also ordered a danish which was warmed up and delicious. The staff were super friendly. I would likely say it took a touch bit too long but it was nice to rest our legs. We sat outside. There is a bike rack. Would I come back again, yes. Would I go out of my way to stop by, hmm probs not.

    Photos
    Door leading out to outside seating area
    Door leading out to outside seating area
    Yummm
    Yummm
    Outdoor seating at entrance

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    Outdoor seating at entrance
    Westside Cafe & Coffee Company

    Westside Cafe & Coffee Company

    4.0
    (193 reviews)
    5.3 mi
    $$

    I was excited to try this place because I love Eggs Benny's and they had multiple options on the…read moremenu. Full disclosure I'm a snob about hollandaise sauce because for me that's the benchmark for a good Benny. This one was a little disappointing to be honest. Not really any flavor to it. With that being said there were other items on the menu that looked good, so I'm definitely going to give it another chance, because the service was good and I love to support local restaurants. Ambience wise, it's small and has a hole in the wall feel to it, which is totally fine for me.

    Can't really find a fault with this hole-in-the-wall-ish breakfast and lunch place. The food is…read moregood! Lots of Benedicts and omelets on the menu, and everything we've had here is tasty and thoughtfully made. They occasionally have creative seasons additions to the menu, but the old standbys, like their huevos rancheros and their coffee drinks, are solid and consistent. Service and atmosphere are chill and pleasant; light holiday music in the background adds to the vibe without being intrusive. It feels somewhat like you've stepped back in time here, in a good way. You could be put off by the dated interior and concrete floors, but I think it adds to the charm. This was one of the first sit-down places we came to when we were first checking out Reno, and we've continued to come back ever since.

    Photos
    Interior seating
    Interior seating
    Breakfast Combo - zero seasoning on the eggs and unappetizing
    Breakfast Combo - zero seasoning on the eggs and unappetizing
    Entrance

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    Entrance
    Burger Me!

    Burger Me!

    3.8
    (740 reviews)
    4.1 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Drive-thru

    I had a Simple cheeseburger with French fries, and the people I was with ordered onion rings. Wow,…read moreeverything was delish. The burger was thick, meaty, and juicy. The toppings were crisp and cold. The French fries and onion rings were amazing too. I was pleasantly surprised compared to the last time I ate there years ago.

    Burger Me never disappoints! The staff is always incredibly friendly, welcoming, and attentive…read morewhich makes the whole experience even better. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, making it a great spot whether you're grabbing a quick bite or hanging out with friends and family. The burgers are absolutely incredible and there are so many options beyond just beef like chicken, lamb, and more. The patty melt was pure perfection! Everything tasted fresh, flavorful, and cooked just right. If you're bringing your pup, don't skip the pup patties they're huge, juicy, and only $3.99! Such a fun bonus for dog owners. They also offer beer, wine, and seltzers which is a nice touch. And whatever you do, DO NOT leave without ordering the onion rings. Crispy, flavorful, and easily some of the best around. Highly recommend! They also really care about the community. This month they're doing a round up campaign for RennerVation Foundation to support their summer camps for foster youth and teen. What a great cause!

    Photos
    Turkey Burger with Avocado & Bacon and a side of regular Sweet Potato Fries
    Turkey Burger with Avocado & Bacon and a side of regular Sweet Potato Fries
    Southwest Turkey Burger & Sweet Potato Fries
    Southwest Turkey Burger & Sweet Potato Fries
    BBQ Bison Burger!!!

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    BBQ Bison Burger!!!
    Madein Food & Drink Collective

    Madein Food & Drink Collective

    4.5
    (150 reviews)
    5.6 mi
    $$

    I've never had a plate full of ravioli. And by that I meant one GIGANTIC ravioli on a beautifully…read morepaired plate. I had the mushroom and ricotta jumbo ravioli that was set atop a well-designed plate of the beet purée and the fennel citrus cream. Everything was not only delicious but harmonious. Because ricotta in such large amounts can be a bit tiring to eat after a while, I would eat some of the pickled watermelon radish to cleanse my palate so I was good to resume again. Even though it is just one large ravioli, it is filling. Especially since I had the garlic cheese toast to start off with, which was the perfect garlic bread due to its crispiness and cheesiness. What I love the most about Madein is their ambiance; it feels cozy and intimate, perfect for long chats with loved ones with a glass of wine. It is tucked into the beautiful Mayberry neighborhood so parking is ample and has areas to walk around after. Has become my go-to for laid back evenings.

    Madein was easily one of the highlights of our trip to Reno! From the moment we walked in, it was…read moreobvious this restaurant takes tremendous pride in using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and the quality shines through in every dish. The mushroom focaccia bread was absolutely incredible--fresh, flavorful, and one of the best things we've eaten in a long time. Every course continued to impress. The sandwiches were perfectly crafted, the salads were crisp and vibrant, and the chilled celery soup was a wonderfully refreshing and unique surprise that we won't soon forget. To finish, we ordered the olive oil cake, and it was outstanding. The cake itself was moist and delicious, but the homemade cream topping elevated it to something truly special. As exceptional as the food was, the service made the experience unforgettable. Kaylee was an absolute joy. She was attentive without ever being intrusive, genuinely friendly, and so easy to talk with that by the end of our meal we felt like we'd made a new friend in Reno. Her warmth and hospitality perfectly complemented an already fantastic dining experience. If you're looking for one of the best restaurants in Reno--where outstanding food, thoughtful preparation, and exceptional service all come together--Madein should be at the top of your list. We can't wait to return the next time we're in town!

    Photos
    Nice looking interior of this new restaurant.
    Nice looking interior of this new restaurant.
    Antipasto Plate
    Antipasto Plate
    Flatbreads

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    Flatbreads

    The Original Mel's Diner - diners - Updated August 2026

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