The Original Mels

3.7 (305 reviews)

ModerateAmerican, Diners, Breakfast & Brunch

Closed • 7:00 am - 10:00 pm

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The Original Mels - American Near Me - Placerville, California

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THE ORIGINAL MELS ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?

Inside

46 Photos

Outside

13 Photos

Moderate noise

Casual

Good for kids

Good for groups

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Emily G.

Decent diner food! Service was good and they accomodated our larger group of 8 people well. I appreciated that they let us split the check with a large group as well. Ample parking.

Kristina M.

This is a must stop restaurant when you are in Placerville because it is really cute inside and the customer service is good. I enjoy the memorabilia, taking you down decades while listening to good music. The lighting is really good in here along with all the signs. The lady who served us was extremely nice. There was also a manager on duty, checking in on all the tables at least once which was nice. The food was made fresh to order and tasted great. Highly recommend that you've check this place out.

Tom L.

We made a quick stop to Mel's in Placerville on our way to the Lake Tahoe. Everyone was welcoming and helpful. Kids enjoyed the food and the cars they come in. The kids love looking at all the memorabilia that's around the restaurant.

Kannica O.

We took a trip up to lake tahoe and on the way back we stopped at this mels location. We have been to many mels but THIS location was top tier. Arrived to mels around 8pm and there was absolutely no customers. We were a party of 6 and we got greeted and seated immediately. Our server (excuse the misspelling), pricilla! Was absolutely a m a z i n g. She was friendly, professional, outgoing, and attentive. She made sure we had refills She made sure we had ranch for the fries without even asking! She made sure my partner who doesn't eat red meat knew the gravy contained sausage ! She absolutely went above and beyond for us. Side note. Hot coco!! ACTUALLY TASTED GOOD. Most mels we go to the coco is WATERED DOWN. She even allowed us to receive hot coco REFILLS . The entire time we were there our service and food was something to return to (if we didn't live 2 hours away)!! She also made our desserts. She made the bananas split with a generous amount ! And the presentation 10/10.

Curt E.

The service was great. We were greeted and seated quickly. The waitress was super efficient and friendly. The potato salad was made there and delicious. I usually always make potato salad as the side. The best potato salad I've ever had.‼.......and I'm 79‼

Marlane R.

This place is pretty consistent on the good food quality. The deserts are some of the best in town. Especially the Sundays. They serve mimosas and other beer choices, tho I don't drink. I appreciate a place that has options for friends from out of town! The waitresses are always nice and attentive, and fast service for the food and drink delivery. They always give my daughter something extra, to make her feel special.

Shelli H.

Mels diner! We came for the milkshakes! Visiting the kids again, patiently awaiting the arrival of my grandson and milkshakes were on my mind. Many many moons ago I worked at a Mel's diner and I know how good the shakes are. Also, the tin with the extra excites me, it's like 2 1/2 milkshakes! The kids shared one and the friendly and efficient waitress split it for them so they didn't get a tin. I felt like had they gotten the tin they would have gotten more, so if your sharing don't have them split it. We also ordered the sampler starter thing. It was good. The food is chain restaurant food. Still good. Go for the shakes! They also have malts. A personal favorite.

Julianne C.

the food is typical diner food, my california benedict with hashbrowns was nothing to particularly write home about but it was decently good. i did try some friends' shakes/malts and they were quite yummy. the service was very friendly - our server was extremely helpful and nice! the restaurant is decorated very cutely and has strong diner vibes. i wouldn't personally go out of my way to come here again, but if i was stopping by placerville again, i would stop by. all day breakfast is also a plus!!

Lex H.

Accessible seating is available and the service was good. Stopped by to grab some lunch and it was great. The portions are just enough to fill you up and the food was great. They are very versatile with modifications to the food and I appreciate that. It's a diner, so that alone makes it fun to eat at. The interior is dope and if you've never been to Mel's then check it out.

Lillian W.

This "Original Mels" restaurant is right on Main Street in Placerville, CA. It's not THE original but one out of 22 in the chain. This location has been open since 1997. The food is ok. It's all American basic classic diner fare served up in a 1950s themed decor. The decor is replica of the 1950s diner. They even have a jukebox. The seating is booth, table, and counter; all in colorful vinyl covering. There are signed black n white photos from the cast of the American Graffiti movie and Happy Days tv show hanging on the back walls. I drop into this Mels a few times a year. This time I came in a party of 11. They had several larger tables to accommodate us. The waitress even said she could do split checks but we didn't. The place got busy so we didn't see her much after getting our drinks and food. No refills for our table. Darn. But we did all 11 meals relatively at the same time and got. Good kitchen coordination. The menu prices have increased, in the past year, like every place. That's inflation for ya. The prices are on par to the other restaurants in the area. Other folks at the table ordered hamburgers. No complaints. This is what they are known for... burgers n fries and shakes. There are 10 hamburgers, four chicken burgers, and a veggie burger menu options. Mels food tip: hamburger patties are never frozen, all USDA choice Angus. The patty is served on French style buns lightly butter grilled. One person ordered the 5 piece jumbo shrimp n chips that came with fries and coleslaw. $14.99. The shrimp were truly jumbo, not shrimpy shrimp. The batter crust was crisp, golden delicious looking and fried perfectly. Yummy crisp coating, moist jumbo shrimp. I ordered the fried chicken plate. I center though my plate came out last out of the 11 orders, the food was hot. It came with 4 pieces of chicken, cornbread and your choice of two sides. I chose mashed potatoes and a side salad. $17.99. The chicken pieces were two thighs, a wing and a drumstick. It had a dark fried batter coating. Parts of the coating were hard, a bit over fried. The wing and drumstick was not moist, but the thighs were still a bit moist n juicy. I'll pass on this in the future. The potatoes tasted like a box mix, it was thick and solid. It didn't really have a taste even with the gravy on it. The cornbread was delicious. Yum. The green salad was fresh tasting. The blue cheese dressing was delicious, it had lots of hearty chunks of cheese. If you're looking for "basic no frills" diner fare in a kitschy 1950s themed restaurant, come on into Mels in Placerville, CA. It's right on Main Street in Old Town Placerville.

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Julia H.

4 years ago

This review is for an employee named Shea Shanahan who I have known for 35+ years. She is one of the nicest and kind person I've ever known. A review was posted by a person named Samantha who said some pretty awful things that are not true. Shea has been harassed by a business that lost her cat while under their care. Shea posted what happened and asked for help from anyone to help find her cat. I suspect that this awful post was a friend of the business owner who has been harrassing shea for weeks for a 1 star review about this business. Don't let these people bully shea anymore. Post a good review for Shea in support of her. read more

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DJ. M.

4 years ago

My son wanted breakfast for dinner so we went. Staff is a bunch of kids horse playing around, talking all kind of Sh*t back and forth. Chicken fried steak was burnt, gravy cold, eggs cold. My sons pancakes was good. The only reason for 2 star. read more

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M T.

6 years ago

I would be a regular if tHis restaurant were in my town! Love it! Food was great and service excellent. read more

The Original Mels - Kids meals come in cars that look like this! - American Near Me - Placerville, California

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Kristina I.

Elite 22

227

1921

7 years ago

This Mel's location is pretty good. I've been to others, but this was my first time here. The set up is similar to the chain of this place. It has a 1950s burger/milkshake era theme. It reminds me of the old show: Happy Days! This place definitely enriches that classic time. The walls are covered with 50's memorabilia, the tables/chairs are very retro, and the style of food/menu options are all very fitting. The food is menu is American: serving Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. I ordered my kids chicken strips and fries. They enjoyed it. And it was served in a cardboard classic car box. The food was placed in the center of the car. That was a perk and my kids loved it. My husband and I both ordered the listed special: The Louisiana Sandwich. We had that with fries. It was ok. I was expecting a little more cheese- or something, it seemed like something was missing. I don't think I'd suggest it. The staff/service was phenomenal. We had a large party with kids lol and it was probably not the easiest to accommodate and yet, our service was still great! The waitress and runners were all very polite and hard working! The food is basic, if you're in the area, stopping by for something simple would be ideal. read more

The Original Mels - Inside - American Near Me - Placerville, California

The Original Mels - Wall decor - American Near Me - Placerville, California

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Carl W.

4 years ago

...I often have sit and work as I eat...done this a million times, and while it's not the place you think you'd want to walk into, once you do, you'll be happy you did. The staff I observed for almost 3 hours, their attention to detail, the joy and pride they took in their work (cooks, busy persons, wait staff) they all are truly unbelievable...and get this...they even have clean bathrooms. In an age of drug addicted crazies ruining everything they've managed to offer clean bathrooms. My point being, next time you're on Placerville, take a chance on the outside of the building and enjoy the experience inside...you'll be glad you did. Thank you Mel's for restoring my faith in what customer service used to look like. read more

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Anne W.

123

7 years ago

Updated after giving it 5 stars two years ago. The place was full of flies. The food was mediocre (same food ordered plus I had two kids with me so we also had a Mac and cheese that was just Kraft or a Kraft style so not worth it and not good. I wish they'd have a picture of Mac and cheese so we'd know if it was boxed stuff). I was sad because it was so delicious last time we were here. Staff also weren't as happy. :( (Old review from 2017: I was surprised by how good this place was. It was clean. Staff was super nice and happy (which is usually a sign of good management). THe food was fresh and tasty. We had an original burger, gourmet Mel fries, sourdough burger and kids corn dog. Everything was good. I would highly recommend it to anyone passing through. My kids LOVED picking the songs on the jukebox. ) read more

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Eric B.

Elite 26 All-Star

2392

7707

7033

18 years ago

Gayle, Tyrone (the wonder Lab), and I had one of those marathon trips back from Tahoe yesterday. We left mid-morning from Genoa, NV in the rain, hit snow at the top of the Kingsbury Grade, and then spent an hour or so gridlocked on the Pioneer Trail. From Myers Flat, our snow tires (with chains available) safely got us up to the Echo Summit and down to Twin Bridges. The opposite traffic (heading to the Lake) was backed up well before Strawberry. Then it was rain and thick fog to Placerville, just in time for a 3:30 PM "Lunch". We were both a little tired and cranky, but were happy to be here safe and sound. I would have preferred to eat at some quaint downtown Placerville cafe, in which afterwards Gayle and I could opine about our romantic culinary adventure at our hidden "gem". No doubt, UFCs and later an ROTD would be bestowed on us like manna from heaven. But alas, what we really needed was a restaurant with decent-sized parking lot to park, so that the dog out could go out for a "stroll". And since I wasn't in the mood for Carrow's, Mel's became the default choice. This Mel's (yes it's a chain) is larger than the one in Walnut Creek, but has the same fun and comfortable diner feel. Mel's was busy, yet crowded enough to effect the service or the experience. Our wait person was down-to-earth and friendly and the food was out in short order. My only service complaint was that the check was slow in coming as we were anxious to get on down the road. My Chicken Cobb Club was excellent, while Gayle (and later Tyrone) enjoyed the omelet. We were happy and full as we left and sometimes that's all you need from a good restaurant. read more

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David F.

3 years ago

We can't say enought about Mel's. Food is great ! My wife and I bring her parents here for lunch/breakfast and they always remember us. A special shout out to Amanda! The best waitress this side of the Mississippi!! Thank you for the special attention to our family!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

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Alexis D.

147

8 years ago

Went here after a long day, got seated. Jessie F Seen our table once the whole time. Four women in the front two with blonde and one with a long black ponytail braid. They didn't seem to care about if we needed coffee, refills, or even asked "how's it going?" Only a nice gentleman was helping us (which was the same ethnicity as me) very nice and respectful man. They ignored us like we weren't there... maybe its because we are a little different from most people in placerville (culturally). Jessie F and some other blonde, seem to only talk to old men to get a bigger tip, but won't even talk to us or give us the time of day. Jessie F or whoever you are, You would of got a tip but your attitude and your lack of customer service, was not okay. Next time, dont roll your eyes at the back of counter ! And stop snacking your damn gum read more

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Kami K.

6 years ago

Wow food was subpar; service was horrific, horrific! I've eaten at this chain before and always had a positive experience that's why I decided to stop on my way home from a hike in the mountains with my two boys. The restaurant was pretty much empty so no excuse for the horrible service. I left there so beyond disgusted that I didn't realize they over charged me. I attempted to call and speak to the manager but was put on hold but manager never got on phone. I didn't leave her a tip. I'll be reporting this to corporate. Do yourself a favor don't eat here. I can't emphasize enough how poor our service was.. read more

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Dreaded S.

4 years ago

Server was nice but lackadaisical as hell. Barely checked on and my food had multiple hairs in it and she didn't even apologize or anything and still expected us to pay the bill!! Luckily lady with colorful hair took care of us and most likely my first and last time coming here read more

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Cheryl R.

239

308

5 years ago

We stopped in here for lunch & we've eaten at Mels in Jackson & this place didn't disappoint, we enjoyed our lunch, service was great & so was the food read more

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Jessica R.

Elite 17

243

381

401

10 years ago

This place was GOOD! I wish we had one of these in Reno, because this place would put our squeeze in and our peg's a run for their money. I just love this little town. It's so quaint. It seems like Mel's has been there for quite some time. Service was fast and friendly and did I mention GOOD? The boys devoured their grilled cheese and fries as expected. They came prepared in a cute little car with a side of Oreos. My breakfast was amazingly tasty. The hash browns were super crispy just like I like. The shakes the offered looked so delish. If I'm ever in the area, I would definitely get a bite to eat here again. read more

The Original Mels - So so good - American Near Me - Placerville, California

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Sue G.

Elite 19

321

117

715

8 years ago

Consistently great food. Menu has been improved - they have wine & beer. Lots of choices. See my photos.. :) read more

The Original Mels - Breakfast burrito w/country gravy on top - American Near Me - Placerville, California

The Original Mels - Burger & fries - American Near Me - Placerville, California

The Original Mels - French toast FYI The platters are 12" across! - American Near Me - Placerville, California

The Original Mels - Hangover II - American Near Me - Placerville, California

The Original Mels - Chili burger - American Near Me - Placerville, California

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Jennifer K.

4 years ago

Great service by Shea! She accommodated our girls basketball team and families! She served good food with great service and was attentive to all of our needs! We will be back after games again! Thank you! Also, the best milkshakes in Placerville! read more

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Eddie D.

118

100

10 years ago

Ever go to a diner and leave feeling like you swallowed a bucket of grease? That's what I've become accustomed to with other places. Not at Mel's! The food isn't light, by any means... but it sits well in the stomach. Service is quick, staff is courteous, and parking is fairly easy. The Mocha Java milkshake is absolutely fantastic. Onion rings are pretty good. When ordering a burger with grilled onions, you'll get 'em. They won't just be warmed raw onions, they'll actually be cooked. Ah, it really is the little things... read more

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Christine B.

Elite 11

259

116

18 years ago

My boyfriend wanted me to try their malt milkshake so we stopped here on the way back from Tahoe. He ordered the chocolate malt milkshake which I liked, but I ordered a Mocha Java milkshake that was pretty much white in color. It hardly had any java taste to it. The burgers are okay. I had a Patty Melt with extra avocado inside. Their servings are large so I didn't finish my meal. It's not a bad place to stop by if you need a bite to eat! read more

The Original Mels - Patty Melt - American Near Me - Placerville, California

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Joel G.

Elite 26

706

201

15 years ago

As diner's go this was a really nice place. The server was lightning fast and the food was very good. The prices were reasonable. The BBQ beef sandwich was tender and juicy. The turkey and gravy over bread was also good comfort food. There was a CD juke box which made me think back to the old days before iPods. The restrooms were clean and the overall experience was pleasant. read more

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Glen G.

Elite 12

235

255

241

15 years ago

I ordered a bland dish so i got bland food...just what I wanted right? Had the naked chicken sandwich with some stolen fries from my friend's plates...so yeah nothing special. Though there aren't a whole lot of choices if you want to stop before you head up the rest of the mountain to Tahoe after Placerville. If you're hungry it'll do. read more

The Original Mels - Plain ol' chicken - American Near Me - Placerville, California

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Cal C.

5 years ago

Hands down the best grilled cheese ever. I used to go to Mels about 15 years ago when I was in high school. And again in college in Reno, and I would always get the grilled cheese with a chocolate milk. The most childish meal I could probably order, but seriously - just try it. I went to Mels today after about 10 years of being in different parts of the country, and I decided to get my old standby, thinking my tastebuds may have changed and not expecting much. I was wrong. It was delicious. Still the best grilled cheese I've ever had, and a delicious chocolate milk to balance that sweet/salty complex flavor. Great place, and great service. read more

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Darla B.

173

8 years ago

Very good. Service was above awesome. We ask for a split on our Sandwich and they did it for us and added extra fries and pickles. Very happy. read more

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Becky J.

3 years ago

So disappointing! Haven't been here for a while, the coffee tasted burned. My Cobb salad had dried up old bacon and the chicken was so hard I couldn't chew it. I watched the other tables be cleaned up as food was left on the seats and the same dirty rag was used for multi tables. The waitress had nails that were extremely long dipping into the food on the plates being served. I'm not sure what's happened to Mel's but looking across the street I wish we would have gone to the Tap House and paid a few dollars more. read more

Business owner information

Admin M.

Hello Becky J. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback…

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Michael D.

8 years ago

I loved this place! It's like the Cheers bar from the TV show. Lots of warmth and friendliness. I visited twice and felt like family. Flew into town for book research and highly enjoyed conversing with Amy and her top-notch staff. No wait, great service with sincere smiles on both of my visits. The mocha-java shake is classic and delicious with a huge amount for under $6!! The Santa Fe Scramble was also yummy! Stop by and they'll make you feel like family! read more

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Angela L.

Elite 21

149

246

8 years ago

Delicious authentic home style food, with the coolest retro vibe! Service was superb! Thanks Hullisis! You really took care of us and our 3 kids! They loved their cars! We'll definitely be back! read more

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Kelie K.

7 years ago

Thank you Pamela R. Your service for us today for lunch was outstanding very good food and friendly service makes us local folks extremely happy. read more

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Miriah F.

7 years ago

Parking was horrendous had to wait for a spot to open but as soon as I got here I was greeted and seated even though they were super busy. I got my drinks almost immediately and didn't wait long for my food. Great hospitality and atmosphere, would definitely return. But they really need better parking, seems people make there own spots. read more

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Dennis J.

7 years ago

Was here yesterday for lunch and had excellent service from Pamela! Thanks again for the great customer service it was greatly appreciated Pamela. read more

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Cyberspace L.

7 years ago

Pamela was very kind and made sure we had everything we needed. Our food was great as well. They had really good water too. Nice and a cold with good amount of ice. Hard to come by a place with a good ice to water ratio. read more

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Jesica D.

Elite 21

383

215

549

9 years ago

Ok so on a road trip starving we decided to pull off and stop for breakfast. Water is horrible unfilter tap water, my food came out cold. My potatoes were so greasy: and my toast the butter was dripping off. Unfortunately I was so hungry I attempted to eat what i could. Make sure to ask how to prepare your food if you want to save some calories. Ugh read more

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S C.

5 years ago

Would never step foot on this diner. Food is awful. We had the burgers and were dry. We had the country fried streak and it was burned. The ketsup bittle was dirty and smeared ketsup all over. Diner was substandard. read more

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Fredrick H.

119

8 years ago

I decided to try something new this morning for breakfast in Placerville! This morning I went to Mel's and ordered the chicken fried steak breakfast. Fast and super friendly service to start. Once the chicken fried steak, eggs up, hash browns, sourdough toast came I was in heaven. By far the best Chicken fried steak I've ever had! Incredible! 2/24/18 update: I've had mostly great food here and great service. Today was a nightmare! I asked for Sunny Side Up and got raw. My perfect plate of chicken fried steak I loved has gone the wayside of horrible:-(. I got some grief too when I sent the eggs back. I could here them cutting me down in Spanish. I speak fluent Spanish. I am heart broken! I've lost my favorite Chicken Fried steak breakfast and been super rude Ross well. Dang I have to tell you that I've been back this morning. I opted for a Belgian waffle, 2 eggs sunny side up, and bacon. The service here is always top notch, and today the food was perfect! I'm sold on this place! read more

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Camper D.

8 years ago

Took a photo to show the cooks at Mel's Placerville think pepperocinni go in a Philly cheese steak sandwich instead of green bell peppers. WHAT PLANET DO THEIR LINE COOKS COME FROM??? read more

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Terry C.

7 years ago

My wife and I are from Colorado, and just had our Original Mel's experience. The service was great, the prices were great and of course the food was great. read more

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Vinay S.

8 years ago

Great food! Highly recommend the Zesty Chicken Wings! Employees graciously let us stay past their closing time. Atmosphere and music is a great addition. Over all 4/5! read more

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Lisa Y.

7 years ago

One of our favorite places to go for a great cup of coffee and the friendliest, kindest & always attentive staff...and the food is always perfect! read more

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Terri M.

344

245

7 years ago

Always a good choice! Wide variety menu . Food is good. Service was ok. Clean and friendly

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Patrick B.

8 years ago

Yummy. Good food in exchange for money. Me like lots. Happy me. Coffee hot. Must now use neutral gender restroom, bye read more

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2morechainz T.

7 years ago

Place is amazing, great staff and really really good food. Big menu with lots of choices. Manager is awesome, great attitude and leader. read more

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Jessie F.

Elite 19

7 years ago

Came in on a busy morning. There was event downtown. I was met by Hunter at the front door and promptly showed to a table. Hunter grabbed me a high chair for my daughter, and made sure it was clean before setting it down. Jessica B was our server and she was very attentive, food came out great and everyone on staff was fantastic. Amy, the manager made sure to stop by our table and check on us. Great experience! read more

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Enessa T.

7 years ago

Wonderful experience! Great food! Omg! The potato fries would be the reason to come back over and over again! My kids don't like potato fries in general but they loved it theirs! read more

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Page 3 of 8

232 Main St
Placerville, CA 95667
Directions
(530) 626-8072
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.originalmelsdiner.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does The Original Mels open?

The Original Mels opens at 7:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does The Original Mels close?

The Original Mels closes at 10:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.The Original Mels closes at 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.

Mon-Thu, Sun 7:00 AM - 10:00 PMFri-Sat 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Payment methods

Does The Original Mels take credit cards?

Yes, The Original Mels takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does The Original Mels have catering options?

No, The Original Mels does not have catering options.

Does The Original Mels have a drive thru?

Yes, The Original Mels has a drive thru.

Does The Original Mels serve alcohol?

Yes, The Original Mels serves alcohol. Beer & Wine Only

Indoor Amenities

Does The Original Mels allow dogs?

No, The Original Mels does not allow dogs.

Does The Original Mels have TVs?

Yes, The Original Mels has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does The Original Mels have bike parking?

Yes, The Original Mels has bike parking.

Does The Original Mels have outdoor seating?

No, The Original Mels does not have outdoor seating options.

Does The Original Mels have parking?

Yes, The Original Mels has parking options. Private Lot Parking

Other Amenities

Is The Original Mels wheelchair accessible?

Yes, The Original Mels is wheelchair accessible.

Does The Original Mels have free WiFi?

Yes, The Original Mels has free WiFi.

From the Business

Meet the Manager: Terry M.

Terry has been in the restaurant industry for over 40 years and is passionate about quality food and friendly customer service.

More Info

Health Score

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Sweetie Pie's

Just had a delicious brunch with my husband and mom. We sat…read morein the indoor patio,very cute. My husband & I had the quiches and my mom had Tuna melt. It was so good and busy for a Monday! Everyone is super friendly here and they make everything.Even their jam (holleyberry?!) home made

If you're craving for a good homemade biscuit come to placerville! We came here to brunch after…read morecamping and the biscuits were incredible. The rest of the food we ordered was also amazing. They have homemade breads and pies too! Dog friendly place with a nice patio setting. Very nice service and the food came out warm but fast

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Beautiful Patio View

Sourdough Texas toast style!

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H.M.C. Omelette. (Ham mushroom and cheese) and hashbrowns.

Annie’s Mimosas

4.5

(204 reviews)

1.8 mi

Great service, walked in and was greeted by a friendly.young man. The waitress was super friendly…read moretoo. Parking can be a bit tricky but if the two lots are full it must be a good place to eat. Food was tasty. Pancakes were decent my families food was delicious. We stopped here on the way home from Tahoe. The place was clean, welcoming and friendly staff. Will go back if we are in the area again. If you are in the area and need some brunch or some food, stop here.

Husband and I are visiting from out of town and decided on this place after perusing their menu…read moreonline. We arrived and while the place was busy, we were seated right away at a table of our choosing. We both went back and forth about what to order, so many things sounded good. My husband opted for their classic egg Benny and I did a two egg (over easy) breakfast with a burger patty, country potatoes, and sourdough toast. Eggs with a burger patty is a breakfast I eat very often and I love it- kind of like a poor man's version of steak and eggs. Food arrived in an acceptable amount of time. Hubby's eggs Benedict looked great. As soon as they set my plate down, I knew I'd made a mistake. That burger patty was clearly a pre-made frozen one and just looked so sad. I barely managed a few bites of it. Absolutely no flavor or seasoning, still tasted awful after I heavily salted and peppered it myself. The meat was like pure mush. Worst excuse for a burger patty I've ever had. It honestly kind of turned my appetite a bit. Thankfully my eggs were cooked very well and the toast was good. Potatoes were decent, though a bit on the cold side when they arrived. My husband seemed to enjoy his meal but said the hollandaise was a tad watery. Giving this place 3 stars because the service was really nice. I have a feeling a lot of the other things on their menu would be great. But lord, that burger was absolutely pitiful.

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Front portion of the restaurant!

Chicken fried steak

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Outdoor

Greenhouse Cafe

Food is fresh and served quickly with a smile!!…read more We bought everything!! Service was amazing! Food served hot and the coffee is excellent. So glad it is a busy place in the community! Love the country decor, notice something new every visit.

So good. Breakfast so Bomb the dog wants some!! Good food with that country vibe! Hats off to the…read moreChef ‍

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Eggs Benedict w/ hollandaise sauce requested on the side. The sauce was delicious, I can just straight up drink that stuff.

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Inside restaurant

Franny's Farm Table

Yay! Our new favorite lunch place on Main Street!…read more We just stopped by last weekend, we've been wanting to try this place out but it just hadn't happened.... Last Monday we decided to have lunch there, one of our regular places is closed Mondays and this place was open so we checked it out...and we're SO SO glad we did! Atmosphere was nice and server was very friendly from the moment we walked in. First thing I noticed; $5 mimosas!! I asked if they did anything other than orange juice and yes, they had several other options so I had the cranberry version. Delicious! I went with their mac and cheese, my partner got the basic hamburger. Mac and Cheese -- definitely very bacon forward, much more than I prefer. That being said, I still liked it, it also had sour cream and green onion on top. Bacon lovers will LOOOVE this version, there is LOTS of it and every bite you can taste it. Normally I prefer my mac & cheese with no bacon or just a bit here and there, I prefer to taste more of the cheeses.....again, it still tasted good, its a good serving and I ate half and had enough to save for the next day at work. Creamy and well made, again I just prefer to taste more cheese than bacon. I wouldn't order this again but like I said, a bacon lover will LOVE this version. Now, my partner's burger was Incredible. We are PICKY with our burgers, and we both thought this one was fantastic. Big, and great ratio to the bun. He ordered it medium and asked for "a little char" and they made it perfectly. I took a bite and yeah, I'd order that for sure. The fries were great, too. Overall we were super happy with our lunch, I thought it was priced fairly as well. We will definitely be back!!

I'll give 2* because the food (when it came) was great…read more We've been to Franny's a couple times before and had O.K. service and good food. The pitfalls of the restaurant seem to be entirely the service. Most recently we went to Franny's on Mother's Day. We had reservations and walked in, on time. We were initially sat in a nice booth in the front of the restaurant. It was my wife and I plus our 2 kids, the table size seemed appropriate. After being sat, we sat without talking to a server for 10+ minutes, not even getting waters. Eventually, when someone did come, it was a waitress/hostess telling us that there had been a mix up, and we needed to move. We weren't excited on the idea, as we were happy where we were, but we moved to the back of the restaurant. This time we sat for 15 minutes without being acknowledged by any wait staff. At this point it is 9:25 and we've been seated for 25 minutes without even water. Finally a waitress comes, and takes our drink order, and our food order as we'd definitely had ample time to look over the menu. About 9:50 the food arrives. My wife and kids' food comes and is great. My food comes and looks off, and the waitress tells me that the kitchen accidentally made me a "veggie" scramble instead of the chorizo that I had ordered, but that she'd get me some bacon and all was well. I asked what was in the veggie scramble and was told it has mushrooms, which is a hard pass for me. She told me she could have what I had actually ordered made but it would "take a long time". I said O.K. - what else was I going to do? Finally it comes, and my wife is done eating, and the kids are close, so, I asked for it to be "boxed up". The waitress rolled her eyes and set to the task. I'm not a restaurant snob - but I really expected an apology or something to be "comp'd" due to the rough experience, but nope, full bill and no apology. Regrettably, despite Franny's being a local joint and having good food, we won't be back.

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Bacon & Blue Burger

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Buttercup Pantry Restaurant

Buttercup Pantry serves a breakfast burrito that's pure comfort on a plate…read more Packed with fluffy eggs and flavorful sausage, wrapped in a perfectly grilled tortilla, and covered in rich enchilada sauce, every bite is warm, hearty, and satisfying. The melted cheese, fresh tomatoes, black olives, green onions, and sour cream add the perfect mix of freshness and bold flavor. This dish feels homemade in the best way possible! Generous portion, great flavor, and the kind of breakfast that keeps you thinking about it long after the meal is over. If you're looking for a filling and flavorful breakfast, Buttercup Pantry's smothered breakfast burrito is definitely worth ordering.

We were in yesterday and had the daily special and a burger…read more Service was good and the food was ok. The daily special was chicken piccata with a salad n vegetable.. 18.99, chicken was ok but my broccoli was a bit burnt and the cheese toast that came with it was also on the burnt side... All in all not that good.... The restaurant is dated, smells a bit wierd and the carpet and booths needed to be replaced years ago..... my wife's burger was good, cooked like she wanted so that's a positive..

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Old phone booth

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Inside

Love Birds Coffee & Tea Co.

Love Birds has gotta have been the best coffee shop in the Placerville area. From Garrett and…read moreJasmin, to the decaf coffee, decorations, the fun coworkers, the hot blonde barista with glasses, everything. It's been a good run folks. So sad to see our last day has come and gone. Today is the first Monday closed . No more Ciao welcome in. No more very berry bars. No more ham and cheese croissants. No more chicken bacon club or house made jalapeño bagels. No more sweeping or mopping or struggling to unscrew the lids off the whip cream canisters. I will miss you Love Birds. One last Ciao. Jocelyn

For those of you looking for that caffeine fix and wish to venture out of the Sacramento area,…read more"Love Birds Coffee & Tea Co." will have you covered. Ever since their opening back in 2016, this has been a wildly popular spot to enjoy inside or on-the-go with their convenient drive-thru. Located right next to a Quik Stop gas station and a Subway, this place is conveniently at the corner of Diamond Rd (Highway 49) and Pleasant Valley Rd in the small community of Diamond Springs. I also wanted to mention that they have very generous hours of operation being opened Monday through Saturday from 5:30am to 4:30pm while being closed on Sunday. I ended up coming here during the afternoon of Saturday 6/15/2024 at around 2:15pm. Since this was well past the morning rush, there were no other customers inside and not a single vehicle parked directly outside. As far as the exterior layout, it uses freestanding rocks which gives it a castle-like appearance. The interior though is very impressive as they've utilized the walls with floral-type balconies, a large painting with more floral arrangements surrounding it, and vintage furniture which has a very nostalgic look as if you've stepped back in time. I also wanted to point out that there is a spacious outdoor sitting area for the most comfortable days. First and foremost, the menu here is quite impressive with a huge selection of coffees, espressos, teas, quenchers, blended drinks, and smoothies. They also carry a nice assortment of breakfast sandwiches, bagels, burritos, croissants, and crepes. And for the lunch crowd, they even offer pizza, pasta, soup, and traditional sandwiches. I ended up ordering a slice of their pepperoni pizza with a small mango smoothie while my significant other went with a bacon, egg, & cheddar bagel with an iced Americano. Our drinks were ready within a couple minutes while our food came shortly thereafter. I will say that the mango smoothie was delicious as it was refreshing without being too overbearingly sweet. However, the pizza was just okay for me as it was a bit on the soggy side and not too crisp. Same goes with the bagel as there were more small clumps of bacon (instead of full-cut bacon). And the eggs, they resembled more of a processed scramble egg with a perfectly cut square; I have a feeling it might be frozen and heated to save time. However, the bagel was good and had nice texture to it. Still at $10 for the breakfast bagel, this was a bit on the pricier side. All in all, "Love Birds Coffee & Tea Co." is a decent place that has a lot of character and charm to it. The young staff working here were very kind, courteous, and accommodating while the ambiance is definitely a home run in my book. I'd stick with the coffee as this is their strong point. But for a stop before work or even if you're heading to Tahoe or the foothills, this is a decent above average business. My rating, four stars.

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Golden Waffle Cafe

Stopped here on the drive up to Tahoe from the SF Bay Area. The restaurant is spacious and cozy…read more The service was excellent! Our waitress constantly refilled our coffees and asked how we were doing. The food was also very excellent. I loved the breakfast. The hash browns were well fried and crunchy. The blackberry waffle was delicious and mounded with lots of fresh fruit. I highly recommend it! Great place to stop on a road trip-- we left happy and ready to roll.

Came for a party of 6 today for breakfast. It's perfect cause we always get seated right away…read more Today I wasn't very hungry so I got a bagel with a side peanut butter. I found out they have hazelnut creamer to go with my coffee. Nice quiet atmosphere. We enjoy stopping by here when we are in town.

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Counter seating

Apple Raisin Wafflle

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The Independent Restaurant and Bar

The service is very good. The fresh grilled salmon was honestly the best I've had…read more. And yelp..Ditch telling the customers that they have to have at least 83 characters to post a review

The food is very good. But consistency and quality control is key to high end dining…read more The key to good service is 1. Offering timely and attentive service and 2. Making sure that issues are handled. The restaurant was busy and the drinks took about 20 minutes to come out. When we ordered we were informed that the prime rib special was sold out. Ok. I get it. So the $66 dollar Rib Eye over the $51 Prime Rib. But then the steaks came out. The others in our group got perfectly cooked rib eyes that were 40-60% cap. They were cooked perfectly to temp. My steak was much smaller, thicker, and entirely lacked the cap. So it was just a NY Strip. The temperature was way over. I was never asked if the dish was ok. Our server was busy and never returned to check on us. The busser came by and asked very quickly if everything was "still" ok. We ate our meal while it was still warm. The busser returned and started to clear the plates, including taking a side dish before we were done with it. When I informed the server of my issue he didn't seem to agree with me. He claimed he came and asked us. Later the manager came and told me he took 20% off the steak. $52 for an overcooked 14 oz NY Steak isn't terrible, but that isn't what I was looking for.

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August 28, 2024 - Comfortable Interior

Filet with turnip fries

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Naked and famous (Mezcal drink with aperol)

Smith Flat House

Absolutely amazing restaurant, the cellar downstairs has amazing ambience, and has so much history…read moreand dark yet beautiful beauty! We split the steak, carrots, and fingerling potatoes with an amazing sauce! There was enough for us to split it into two. The wine was amazing from local wineries, the waitress was sweet and friendly and had grear service. Everyone was dressed super nice & when we asked for recommendations of wine with our dinner, they had a great pairing. We wish we could've checked outside, but there was a wedding going on. We will definitely be back to check out the outside area and I definitely recommend!!

Unique restaurant in a historic area that serves up traditional American fare. The main seating…read morearea is actually downstairs - there is one room that my friend calls the "cave" room, it opens up to an actual mine that was used. So if you like those Raiders of the Lost Ark vibes, then you would like sitting next to the mine for sure. It's roped off but you can hear the water dripping and it is naturally cool. The structure was originally built as a hotel in 1853 and has been well preserved. I ordered their Smith Flat House salad ($10) and the Jambalaya Risotto ($34) which consisted of Cajun-marinated prawns, lobster meat, Andouille sausage, grilled sweet corn with saffron chicken risotto. Definitely had a bit of a kick to it, the risotto was done well. My pet peeve is mushy risotto, it needs to have a slight bite to it which this one had thankfully. Love the fact that this place serves up local wines -- I couldn't recall the wine I had and they do not have their wine menu on their website. If you have the opportunity to visit, I'd recommend a glass of red from Starfield (winery up the road).

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Beautiful and pleasant courtyard

Delicious gourmet pizzas, salad, and gooey brownies!

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Wonderful local wines by the glass and bottle

Old Town Grill

Great stop in historic Placerville. I had the Beast Burger--a blend of elk, buffalo, wild boar, and…read moreWagyu beef--and it was excellent. The sweet potato spuds were just as good and paired perfectly with the burger. What really stood out was the atmosphere and the people. You can tell there's a culinary-minded team behind the restaurant that takes pride in what they do, and it shows in both the food and the service. Whether you eat inside or relax on the patio, it's a great place to slow down and enjoy a meal. Definitely a place I'd stop at again when passing through Placerville.

Absolutely love this place. We have been here several times and have yet to have a bad meal. The…read morefood is great, love their burgers. The sweet potato dollops are fantastic! They make great shakes too! The employees are all super nice and the owner is very friendly and appreciative! Place is small but they also have outdoor seating in the back. Can't wait to go back.

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6/5/2025: Ordered inhaling an Elk Burger, Chili, and Coke.

Chicken Dijon Sandwich

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Sierra

Placerville Public House

This is a wonderful historic spot in placerville! There's a bar and restaurant portion and this…read morereview is for the bar. They offered a variety of IPAs and stouts- it took a little time to find a beer I liked but the bartender was very nice and let me sample 3 different ones until I found one I liked. The ambiance is great and it's a nice spot for a quiet drink.

We didn't have a chance to try the food because after waiting 40 minutes with no food we had to…read moreleave in order to make our appointment. The male server could not have been more rude! I understand he was upset probably because we took a table away from his potential tips, but to treat us the way he did is inexcusable. I asked if him if the food hadn't been made if we could cancel our order. He left and appeared to speak to the kitchen staff. He came back and cleared the table next to us and did not communicate anything to us. I asked, is that a yes or no? Without looking at us he said hold on. He finished clearing the table and walked away. He came back 10 minutes later and without saying a word he placed the bill on our table and left. Luckily we had the cash to cover it and a tip. As we walked away he rushed over, likely to make sure we weren't skipping out since he had been so rude. Will we go back? Uh no. This could have been handled much differently leaving us wanting to try them again.

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Dining/bar area

Bratwurst sando

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Front of bar and 2nd time with my Mom. Great little place for beer and food.

Timmy's Brown Bag

OK, we've been around Placerville for five years and I've never stopped and checked this place out…read more It's kind of hidden and you can definitely walk past it and miss it.. but we stopped by today cause we were craving sandwiches and let me tell you their selection is definitely different but their sandwiches are 15 out of 10. The owner is there working like a badass and he's got such rad staff !! Go get yourself a sando! Caution, though, if you are not somebody who is open-minded with food or a foodie stay away because these sandwiches are different and they're big and they're just amazing

This place is in a small town and you order and pickup food at a counter with limited outdoor…read moreseating. The sandwiches were a little underwhelming based on the reviews and the price point. I tried the char siu and meat lovers sandwiches which were both on nicely grilled Texas toast. The flavor of the char siu sandwich reminded me of cake noodle and beef broccoli because of the ramen noodles and the overall flavor of the sauce. I didn't get any of the bamboo shoots in the sandwich or maybe they were chopped really small? The char siu was decent, not super tender and not the typical char siu flavor but it wasn't bad. The meat lovers sandwich had a noticeable sweet flavor I'm assuming from the spaghetti sauce but it really lacked depth. It honestly reminded me of canned spaghetti and a sloppy joe. It also seemed like there was no ranch dressing even though it's part of the sandwiches name. I appreciate the creativity and whimsy they've put into their menu. I just don't think the execution and flavor profiles are where they should be.

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Honey Walnut Prawn

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Sweetie Pie's

Sourdough Texas toast style!

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H.M.C. Omelette. (Ham mushroom and cheese) and hashbrowns.

Pachamama Coffee

Excellent coffee and matcha! Both made with oat milk. Such a beautiful interior and nice outdoor…read morecourtyard. Large selection of retail and roasted coffee beans.

Ambience / Atmosphere / 'Vibe' were great. Servers friendly. My cappuccino was a bit on the light…read moreside, where as I prefer dark and depth. Overall it's a very nice coffee shop if you like your brew on the lighter side. It's probably the best coffee shop in Placerville.

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Seating area

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Blueberry matcha was good!

Carolina's Restaurante & Cantina

Authentic Mexican food in downtown Placerville. Fish tacos…read morewere legit and saucy. vintage ambiance with cool hispanic decorations fast service and good location

Came hungry and left happy and full! Everything tasted…read moreauthentic 10/10 Our waitress was so kind and friendly. Inside was very spacious, clean and inviting. Will defiantly return.

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Beautiful full bar

Texas Tornado Benedict... seriously a must have, even if you share!

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Top Shelf margarita with grand on the side... thats how we do it.

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43 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Barbie V.

13 years ago

Mel's is not what it used to be. But we enjoy the place here in Placerville. It used to be a great welcoming place (busy or not) but we did appreciate the prompt service by the kitchen guys. Even though the ladies were not always the most friendliest there could have been. - As Original Mel's was a pinacle of customer service. We really look forward to going there for a milkshake (Malt) shake as a family. We went to Mel's today on main street and with seated quite quickly. But kinda felt rushed to be seated , served and waited on. The guys at Mels were some pretty clean cut guys and we appreciated the kind service. but some how not as friendly as it used to be long ago. read more

Samantha S.

4 years ago

Shea Shanahan, which I believe was the manager, was our server. She smelled like alcohol as soon as she greeted us. It literally made me sick. She forgot about us after she took our drink orders so we never even got the chance to order our food... But that was okay because I was already nauseous from smelling alcohol all over our server. When I went outside to my car to get my phone, I saw our server, Shea, chugging vodka out of a Smirnoff bottle. She did not see me as my windows were tinted. If you're going to chug vodka at your own job, at least do it in the bathroom...or not at all??? We left and will not be returning because of what I witnessed. read more

J P.

16 years ago

Great service starts at the door - you are greeted with a smile and seated promptly. The old time 50's diner theme takes you back in time right down to the tableside juke box loaded with all of your favorite oldies. Our server was friendly and the food was delicious - just what the doctor ordered after a late night on the town! The Mel's milkshake was the perfect complement to the traditional diner fare. The staff has a can-do attitude and everyone pitches in to ensure your dining experience exceeds expectations. It is without hesitation that I recommend Mel's Drive-In read more

Jeri K.

6 years ago

We went to Mel's in Placerville, on 7/1/20 and we were told we MUST have masks on when entering, EVEN THOUGH we are disabled and therefore exempt per Gov. Newsom's order. So we went back to our car and found a package of masks. As we walked back in, a group of 5 people walked out and not a mask in sight. Within 5 minutes after being seated my husband spotted another unmasked person hanging around the cash register. A 'treat' to eat out turned into an upsetting encounter because I have been discriminated against by this establishment. And RUDELY so. I will not ever return to that Mel's. read more

Joseph A.

13 years ago

I really remember Mel's as very very friendly . I used to go there with my family when I was a kid. But somehow either people got more rude over time or they seemed too rushed to care about service. FIRST THING.. They need to smile more in that place. The only people smiling were the cooks at times. - Good clean cut bunch of folks there. For a great classic icon like MELS they really need to take a step back and care about the service (the food was not great) - but the price was pretty normal for a tourist town like Placerville. NO WIFI service there. read more

Renee H.

17 years ago

Two Words - CHEESE FRIES! Oh my Gawd, they are delicious! I just recently had a baby and when I was pregnant, Mel's Cheese Fries was my obsession! They are sooooo good! And Mel's makes their own Ranch dressing - from scratch! It's awesome! Granted, I don't eat there as much as I did when I was pregnant (I was a permanent fixture. The staff knew my name and would take such good care of me.) but whenever I can, I will stop in with my new family and ALWAYS get the cheese fries. I highly recommend. YUMMY! read more

Matt S.

17 years ago

I visited this place on my way down from a long day on the lake in taheo. They looked really busy and I didn't want to stop because I thought it would take a long time and we'd have to wait for a table. We got sat right away at the bar. The server was very friendly and also hot! She took our order and 10 minutes later we had our food. we ordered a big bopper, VIP and a Cobb salad.. The food was really food. Hot, fresh, and it the spot. A totally good exerience and I would recommend read more

Alexis P.

234

8 years ago

Mel's Diner has phenomenal food, I love their breakfast selection! I have been to a few locations, but this one is my new favorite! I went in the evening and was greeted with great customer service from the night staff. Our food was fresh, drinks always refilled, and our waitress, Jackie, was amazing, very friendly! I would definitely recommend this place and Jackie to other customers! read more

Ming Y.

13 years ago

Have gone here for breakfast on many occasions. I love the small town atmosphere and the food is always great. The only reason why I am not giving 5 stars is due to the lack of parking. If you go over the weekend it will be often difficult to find a place to park close by which is not too bad except when its raining. read more

Marie C.

11 years ago

We came here for dinner it was friendly service. The food we ordered came quickly. The taste was superb. I love this place we come here more often now and wish I had stopped in earlier I have been missing out on clean delicious food and a wonderful atmosphere. Five stars read more

Deborah S.

12 years ago

Awesome food and good service. Come back at least once a month if not more!! We ordered the steak and eggs special and the kids enjoyed the fish and chips. They weren't too greasy and the steak was great. Next time I'll have to go with the sampler. read more

Ema T.

5 years ago

Mels is always my friends and I's go to spot! It's a great restaurant and the servers there are always so nice and helpful but one server that always stand out is Xander! He's great at his job and never fails to make his costumers happy! read more

Hayden P.

15 years ago

Love Mels. Their malts are to die for. I love the service of the restaraunt and the staff is splendiful. I have been going there for a while and I will always continue to go. Thank you Mels staff for making every visit a good one. read more

sam g.

8 years ago

Great Location, my family and I love going to Mels on our way to Tahoe, it's our to go place every time. Service and food is always good. Everyone is super friendly. My kids love the cars the kids meal come in. Until next time Mels read more

TheWeirdGirl O.

5 years ago

I've been going to Mels for years and it's never let me down! All of their servers are wonderful, including Xander. He is never anything short of friendly and constantly makes everyone at the table laugh. Great service!! read more

Kathy H.

7 years ago

My husband and I love to have Katelyn as our server always a pleasure to talk to and help us get a bang for our buck! Whether it's customizing our food or finding the best deal she's patient and considerate to everyone. read more

A D.

17 years ago

This mels is terrible! The quality of food is not very good and the service....oh the service is the reason I'll never go back. I've had more than one experience, but the last time, was enough for me. read more

Angelo M.

7 years ago

I had the best experience, this is by far the best Mel's I've ever eaten at. The service was amazing! My server was hulises, or huli. He was so sweet and adorable, I'll definitely be coming back! read more

lisa b.

8 years ago

The pancakes are the BOMB..........no other way to describe them, I grave them all the time, thin, buttery melts in your mouth. Thank You for a great breakfast during lunch time, see you soon read more

Elizabeth K.

7 years ago

Katelyn is the most attentive server at Mel's, she's a wonderful person to chat with and to try her best to make sure you have a great price and a wonderful experience! Keep it up! read more

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