Mel's Drive-In Reviews

The food is simple and delicious, prepared with careful attention. The atmosphere is fantastic.. like a classy nightclub from the 1950's.. with mid-century modern furnishings. However, the service sucks (slow and lazy, even when the place is mostly empty) and the prices are ridiculous. I paid $18.75 plus tip for an egg sandwich with coffee. No potatoes, no extras.. but the waiter was proud that he brought me some ketchup.

We met friends here for lunch. The over all experience left us wanting for better food, better service and better everything. The service was slow even though there were only a few tables occupied. After a wait, our drink order was taken. Finally they arrived. The waitress came back a bit later and asked if we were ready to place our order. Yes, indeed. Another wait and then 3 of the 4 orders arrived. The 4th order, a salad, arrived a good 10-15 minutes after the first 3. The menu listed fried goat cheese as part of the salad but there was none to be found. Also a side of toast was ordered and that was not there. It took several follow-ups to be served the complete order. Overall, the food was only o.k. And one in our party complained about the price. When one of our group visited the restrooms, it took a bit of time to find someone who could give us the combo to the locked bathroom. Once inside, it became apparent that one of the soap dispensers was empty.

Attached to the hotel we stayed in we thought we would give this place a go and we were not disappointed. Very informal dining with a good menu and great tasting food.

Fast & friendly service and yummy corned beef hash breakfast with large mug of tea. Well worth trying.

We turned up here after we watched The Nutcracker at war memorial. It’s only about 5 miles from there so we decided to get some old 50s style burger and shakes.... I used to go here on my college days ...lots of times. I was a little disappointed overall this time. Even thought our food was good, we had to wait for our waitress to show up for a good 10 mins...., anyway, food is

We had been to this branch of Mel's Diner on a previous visit to San Francisco three years ago and enjoyed their hamburgers and fries, so looked forward to our return visit. What a disappointment! We went early on a Tuesday evening when the diner was pretty quiet and ordered a chicken and bacon sandwich, a club sandwich, fries and a portion of onion rings to share. The onion rings had obviously been reheated and were incinerated, the fries were luke warm and limp and the bacon in both sandwiches was burnt and cold. It was obvious that all these had been cooked much earlier and left hanging around. We picked out what was edible and left the rest. The bill, including two beers, came to $52 before tip, which was expensive for such a lousy meal. Had we not been up for nearly 24 hours after our transatlantic flight earlier that day, I would have complained, but we just paid up and left. We won't be back.

Since we stayed in the Opal hotel Mel's was next door. It looked like a oldfashioned American diner. Our kids loved it! The food was nice as well as the entourage. If you want a tasty burger and do not like a fast food joint than try Mel's, this is what a burger should taste like.

We went there for breakfast on a Sunday. The diner was popular with tourists and locals alike. The service was fine and the food was good. The coffee was always kept topped up. Really nice atmosphere, our 3 year old was well looked after and he loved the juke box and all the stuff to look at on the walls.

I was staying at the Marriott next door (which gives a discount as their is not Bistro at the Marriott) and came here to get breakfast. Great diner place with good service. I had just a standard scrambled eggs breakfast with toast, bacon and hash browns. It was very good and savory. I’d come back! Note - if you get in late, they do serve an all-day breakfast. 👍🏼

Went there for dinner. Don’t waste your money ordered meatloaf they brought meat balls child with us ordered meatloaf got something completely different after arguing with the wait staff was told they ran out of meatloaf and substituted the awful meatballs friend had a steak that was so tough you couldn’t chew it wings had way too much sauce.

Very crowded, noisy, Food is OK. There were mistakes made on our order but were quickly corrected by staff. We were there for lunch on a weekend, had to wait a bit for a table. This restaurant is within walking distance from the San Francisco MOMA.

My sister and I stopped by for a late, light lunch..we shared a Reuben and a shake. They kindly split the shake for us.. The sandwich was simple..meat very lean..which is a plus..I don't like fat on it..and of course sauerkraut. Waitress was okay although it seemed odd that it was hard to get her attention at 3 p.m. when the place was almost empty. Prices seemed high to me..but then this is San Francisco.. not many food bargains here.

We used to love to go to Mel’s Dinner when visiting SF or on our way to/from the airport, but it has seriously gone down hill! We arrived late evening and there were at least 10 tables and one server who took a very long time to take our order. We ordered the short rib dinners and a chopped salad. We were there for almost an hour before the food came out. It wasn’t very good, the small blood of mashed potatoes was cold and had the consistency of paste, the mixed vegetables were cold and soggy and the short ribs were dry. The salad didn’t come out until after the rest of the meal was finished. By the time our meal came, most of the other customers had left. Our server came to our table once after the food was served. She stayed over in the corner, doing her prep and wiping down the counters, but completely ignored us. Three younger people came in, sat at the chairs waiting to be seated and she completely ignored them until they left because they were too shy to go up to her and ask for a table definitely not the friendly family vibe that used to be and the food was not worth the $90 that it cost us. Sadly we’re taking yet another SF tradition off of our list.

Had a very poor experience. Ordered dinner for delivery for five and they completely messed it up. Had ordered clam chowder but got another type of soup. They also did not include one of the entrees. When we called to complain, they didn’t make an offer to make it right (coupons or other options). Definitely will not order from them again.

We came here because of the old diner layout. But we were a little bit disappointed. Ok, San Francisco is not cheap, but 60-70$ for a breakfast for a family of 4 is just too much. then they had not waffles. What is the deal to make waffles ? One 20$ dish came with just half of the content. We received 50 % discount for that one but sorry this just tightened our bad impression.

One of the restaurants that was very near from our hotel. Very crowded but yet was good. The food was great. The service was a bit slow because of crowd but yet was good.

This is an upscale grill and bar in downtown San Francisco. It's a little pricey., but the food was good.

Excellent value meals, great staff, something for every taste. Super speedy service, great vibe. We love diners !

From the brewed coffee to the pie- it was all tasteless and tasted of paper. They could not even serve good coffee. The place is nice though- a retro look. But thern it's all wasted money.

I guess everywhere is expensive in SF, but a run-of-the-mill breakfast for 3 should not cost $80. The vibe is cool and the decor is interesting, and the service was fine, but the value is poor. And don't put money in the table jukeboxes. We were one of about 3 different tables when we arrived and never heard our songs. Do those jukeboxes even work?

Although we stayed at the hotel next door to Mels we didn't try it for the first few days of our stay due to poor reviews. When we did try it we were impressed. The breakfasts were excellent and very reasonably priced. The staff were friendly and efficient. We also went in for an evening meal on one occasion and really enjoyed that too. Ok, not fine dining, but good food at a good price. Recommended.

Horrible service! Primitivo was my server. When I first arrived, the place was almost empty, yet it took my server an eternity to come take my order. I ordered pancakes and a side of eggs with American cheese. He said, “we have Cheddar, it’s the same thing,” then he started laughing with this attitude. I almost left, but I’m still not familiar with the city and I was extremely hungry. The food came out in about ten minutes. It looked good. Unfortunately, the eggs didn’t taste as good as they looked. They were just okay. When Primitivo brought me a menu when I first sat down, he brought me a water. He never refilled it or even asked if I wanted more my entire meal. He didn’t even come to check if everything was okay as I ate. I finished my meal and my server didn’t even bring me my check. I went to him as he stood at the register. My meal was $19.09. He put my check on the counter. I then handed him my card. Instead of handing me back my card, he sat it on the counter as well. I’m known for being a good tipper. This is one of the few times I didn’t leave a tip. The atmosphere of the restaurant was fine. The food looked good, but tasted just okay. Twenty bucks for pancakes and eggs is a little high. The service was horrible. I’ll never go back to Mel’s.

Great find on Van Ness Avenue and within easy walking distance from our hotel. The staff were great very attentive without being over friendly. The food was fantastic corned beef hash was one of the best I've had. good value for money. The decor was great you did feel like you had gone back into a 50s diner. Loved the personal juke boxes in the booths.

Slow service. Had to ask for tabasco & jam to be brought to the table. Toast finally came out when I was almost done with my meal... On the bright side, the "Popeye's breakfast" vegetable juice drink was very good and our waitress was friendly.

Mel's Drive-Ins have been around for a long time. This one isn't actually a drive in style but the food is still great and there is a great menu. A number of menu items will bring back fond memories for a lot of people.

On our first night, we were tired and "hangry". Then we saw Mel's Drive-In! Everything we ordered was great, even those who had dietary restrictions found many options. I highly recommend for a quick bite. What drew us in was the authentic diner look and everyone we saw was smiling. Great spot!

The location is cool. The decor, fantastic. The milk shakes, really good. The food, it's merely edible. I ordered the southern fried chicken, it wasn't good, it was edible. With the southern fried chicken, you get a roll with butter, slaw, fried and the chicken. The chicken was over cooked & all you can taste is the seasoning. The slaw is awful. The bread was bordering on stale. The fries were good. If you want 50's nostalgia and a great milkshake in a great location, it's fine for that, just don't go too far afield.

Friendly service. Rosie was our waitress for each breakfast. She had a beautiful smile. Food was good and fairly priced. .

Used to be Mel’s Drive-in, but has had a name change to Mel’s Kitchen. Went for happy hour and the next day for lunch. 3 beers on tap, with a decent IPA. The wings were crisp and spicy. Perfect for the happy hour. The chicken salad sandwich was fresh and really liked the toasted bread. Closes at 8pm

Nothing but classic American food from the era of the 60's. Loved it. Went back a second time. Would go again

Close to the Opal Hotel, a great place back in the fifties to enjoy vintage America and rock'n roll music. The food is good and the staff vey competent and nice. I 'll be back!

Good food and good service. Full bar and breakfast items offered all day. Antonia was the best. Would come again.

First night in San Francisco and Mel's was the place to go! Offers wholesome food that is filling and served by knowledgable wait staff who do not hassle diners! The decore is worth a visit by itself and the team there coped really well with a large and demanding family group whilst we enjoyed our meal!

We came here on our first night in SF, we were exhausted and popped in as it was close to where we were staying. Service was quick and friendly. Between us we had a grilled cheese and ham sandwich and a short stack. It was very nice, I can't really go on too much about the food because it was what it was, but the selection was immense! We would come here again, but our first visit was just a quick stop before hitting the hay!

Mel’s has been closed for a serious time getting a revamp. The colors are now modern brown and copper colored with a full bar in the middle. Diner feel is completely gone, the menu is cut back considerably. At 6PM coming in for dinner, we were the first ??? This used to be fighting for a table/booth here. In trying to modernise or upscale it I think they missed the point. Food and service is still ok, but we left a bit disappointed. Another landmark that is gone...

The portions are huge (we saw other orders passing our table) so we opted for a shared portion of sweet potatoe fries (delicious) and fresh fruit/veg juices. Impressed with the attention for gluten free and vegetarian options pointed out on the menu.

Walked by on our way to union square, didn't think it was going to be amazing but boy did it prove us wrong. The burgers were incredible we both got cheeseburgers with American fries, fries nice and crunchy. I got a coffee milkshake, fantastic!!! whilst it isn't super cheap, the service was incredible and worth the tip. A waiter by the name of Mickey served us and he was super funny, lovely and welcoming, as well as attentive and charming. Very pleased with the quality of food, service and efficiency this place had. definitely reccomend!!!

Was expecting more from a mom and pop style restaurant. The service was slow. Socializing in the back seemed to be more important than helping customers. My glass stayed empty most of my meal. The food was ok, nothing to write home about. My wife's food was a bit cold when she received it. While we were eating a well groomed, assuming homeless person, came in and had enough time to have a full 10 minute conversation with us before management chased him off. They seemed to know him so had staff been at their posts they would have been able to run him off before he started bothering guests.

We stayed at The Opal hotel and ate breakfast here both mornings and the food and staff were great! Highly recommend.

Service with a smile ! Even first thing in the morning ! Great hangover breakfast American style ans tasty. Fast efficient service, no request seems any trouble

Up with the builders at 0600 and popped in for breakfast. Who needs trip advisor reviews when the place is full of construction workers getting their morning fuel before a busy day. That all you need to know.

Service was very average here no one appeared to have any energy or care towards customers food was ok nothing special but whole restaurant looked like it needed a bit of tlc

My hot turkey sandwich was roasted not deli turkey and it was delicious! It appears from my visit their that they specialize in food made the right way from scratch and they take care with the details and the food times were prompt and our server accommodating! A great place for all types of food! Grass fed burgers and organic food are also part of their menu!

Went here on my first night in San Francisco. Loooooved the curly fries, mjum!! Decor is nice too and friendly staff!!

Mel's Drive-In is a great stand-by place to eat. Their BLT and their French Dip are both great comfort food. And it's convenient when I stay at The Opal San Francisco -- it's right there on the first floor! As a business traveler, it has been great having a restaurant in/near the hotel, so I could continue to use the hotel Wi-Fi to get some work done.

the perfect breakfast spot! when we were in town a few years ago we went every morning and are so excited to come back in a few weeks!

I have been there a few times because I was in the hotel attached. Service is poor, it is pricey for the quality. Don't order the BBQ chicken. You'll get a tasteless dryed out piece of pigeon .. As far as the burger. It is served with a cold bun (...) with mild warm small piece of meat (when you order the extra size burger). Not a good value at 17$ for a cold burger. Not a redo ..

If you want to sample what you would imagine to be the typical American diner from all those old movies, then Mel's is for you. Hamburgers,fries, chili bowls & good old apple pie abound here. It's completely decorated to look like those movies with dining available at the counter, tables or booths. It's all good fun & the staff are generally pretty upbeat. There is a big range of sodas & beer & wine are also on offer. Great place to take the kids.

Perfect diner food, right down to old school cottage cheese and fruit plate. Friendly staff, quick service, SUPER clean, nice atmosphere.

Great tasting breakfast. Large menu. Smiley wait staff. Breakfast for two was on the spendy side but glad we ate there.

Typical American diner with 1950/60s style, music. Its fun if you are a tourist to have lunch there and just let you take back to nostalgic times. We went for breakfast and that was a mistake. Quality of food and service were left behind somewhere in the 1950s as well. We ordered a simple scrambled eggs with ground turkey and some baked potatoes, toast, with 2 coffees and 2 fruit juices: $60. Fruit juices were awful, the eggs mediocre, the toast cold. We are not American enough normally to send things back but we did. For the simplicity of food, this can be a lot cheaper. $4.50 for a coffee is a rip off. Waitress wasn't very helpful, staff looked dull and bothered having to help us. I've been to better diners with better food and service. This one wont rank in my top 20.

I just popped in here for a take away coffee. Worst cappuccino ever! Really expensive also. Staff were friendly and the place looks cool bit coffee taste like total crap. I think its just drip coffee with foam. They need to invest in some arabica beans.

First time at this Venue, First table I was sat at I felt like I was on a Ship. The table had a huge slope on it so uneven. I moved tables and then the wait staff forgot me. The Burger I had I asked for it to be well done, and it was medium rare. Food was very average.

Cool place. Feels like USA anno 1950/1970. Good food, very friendly service by Juli. Low/middle range prices. Try milk shakes.

Stopped by this place while walking around town in the afternoon. Space is cool, very modern, and updated. Place was pretty much dead and empty. First impression, prices were a little high. Thought I would stay & give it a shot. Ordered the breakfast burrito & a coke, total was $21.93 including tax. Burrito was ok size, flavor was pretty great, presentation also good. I would say maybe for a nice dinner or lunch business meeting this place is good, but if you’re looking for something that won’t kill the budget this probably isn’t your place. I also couldn’t understand, I went in the afternoon, place was dead but I literally had to ask for everything. Utensils, refills, a check. Who else are you serving? It was me and one other table. There’s other places I bwould probably go before I’ll be back here.

We had burgers after deciding to try a Groupon while on vacation. Both were ordered medium rare and both were served rare. I told the waitress it's rare, I'm eating raw ground meat and she said u ordered it med rare. I told her Med rare is pink in the middle, rare is raw. I sent mine back while my wife took a few bites on the ends and wasted most of hers. The waitress never even offered to take my wife's back. The prices are outrageous, well over $10 for a slop diner burger.

I love this place. You can probably find more fancy breakfast places in San Francisco but this is just your average breakfast place. Nice and reliable. A place for Average Joe with good, solid breakfast at a reasonable price. I had granola with low fat yogurt, coffee with milk, sometimes a fruit smoothie. My vegan friend had granola with soy-milk, tea and smoothie. We were very satisfied every day and ready for a day of touristing San Fran. We were very happy to find a place that served somewhat healthy breakfast and good coffee.

I love the old American style with the juck boxes, the aluminum decoration etc. The breakfast is very good with a varied choice that can satisfy everyone. Most free parking for guests!

My son and I were in San Francisco to take care of his passport and when we were done it was lunch time. We were in Van Ness so we stopped at Mel's for lunch. We had half salad and half sandwich combo. The food was ok. But I really enjoyed the all American feeling, the decor, the seating... In the San Francisco Bay area there are abundant haute cuisine restaurants, healthy choices restaurants, vegan, gluten free options galore, but once in a while I like to enjoy the all American option.

I used to love coming here. The breakfasts were always reliable and the pricing was competitive. But, they seem to have less staff, the prices have gone up and the food takes longer to reach you. I still had some good breakfasts and I came back for brunch which was really expensive. It was fine but you could have got the food cheaper in a different diner. The place just looks a bit unloved. Same pics in frames for years and in need of a spruce up. Allergies are not listed and need to be really as there is milk in the veggie burger and I was with someone who is allergic to it. I like Mel's and will return. But just know if you have not been for a while, it's not quite what it used to be.

Stayed in the Opal and used Mell’s for meals. Had poached eggs and hash browns for breakfast with very good orange juice. Quality was fine, particularly the hash browns and was fine overall, should be 4 stars. I also had dinner here, this was rather more mixed. I had Southern fried chicken on the first day, mash was lumpy, chicken was very good, green stuff that came with it, kale I think was just plain unpleasant, it had an acidic aftertaste. I didn’t enjoy that part at all. There was also a sauce which I found tasteless. Second night I had a Mel’s burger, fries were very good but the patty in the burger, though seeming to be home made, certainly not like a frozen or mac Donald’s type, lacked flavour and was under seasoned. Desserts I had, both pies, were fine but not spectacular. Evening meals could easily be ranked poor. Service was freindly and helpful however I believe it’s just opened and it was obvious that they were still learning to work together. Overall fine for breakfast but I struggled with the main meals. Prices were high for the quality but for San Francisco it’s probably close to normal.

On the plus side, they were open on Thanksgiving day in the evening when most other restaurants were closed. Generally, it seemed clean, but the food was mediocre at best. Had the fried chicken dinner, but it was way over cooked. One of my daughters had their veggie sandwich, but it was really sparsely made (mostly bread, very little in the way of veggies & cheese). The other meals were totally non-memorable. If you are in SF area, go any place else - you'll probably have a better experience. Really not a good choice, unless you don't have any other options.

We decided to stop here since we stayed at the hotel next door. The food was delicious and we loved the 50's diner vibe. Good comfort food.

If you love the 50's era then you will love Mel's Diner. Right next to the Opal Hotel Mel's serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ate the twice for dinner, food is typical diner style, hearty and good. Great atmosphere though with mini jukebox to play your favourite tune.

WE had eaten at Mel's in other states and new what we were getting. The menu has a lot of different foods and my favorite is the open turkey faced sandwich. The quality is the same at every restaurant and this was no different. Service was good and for SF the price fine.

Though I have dined at other Mel's locations, this was my first time dining at this particular location. We were seated right away, our server was top notch, very attentive and the establishment was very clean. I ordered eggs, hash browns and toast which was very filling and cooked well, and everyone else in my group enjoyed their meals. I have never had a bad meal at any of Mel's locations, and this one met my expectations.

It looked good from the outside, but we should have ate somewhere else. The food was overpriced, service was slow and for me, the mashed potatoes were cold. The prices were way too high for basically a hamburger joint. You were paying basically for the atmosphere...which was a 50's style restaurant. Will never eat there again.

Mel's Drive- In is a perfect place for breakfast, let's get that out of the way. It offers a diverse range of breakfast options. It is however quite expensive. I liked it nonetheless. It has a friendly stuff and a nice interior. The only thing that I didn't like so much was the fact that my steak was a bit overcooked.

We stayed in a hotel down the street Mels.Just wanted ice cream. Mels was perfect- I got an ice cream sundae at midnight and my husband got a huge piece of apple pie a la mode. Place jammed with families and people ordering fun unhealthy food like us!

The food here is a little expensive but tasty. Service was slow, especially at the end - not really the staff's fault; there seemed to be only one waiter on the floor and he was over-stretched.

Old style American diner with fair service and excellent food if this is the kind of stuff you're interested in. Had the Ruben and it was actually the best one to date I've had. To-go cups could be bigger.

This restaurant is attached to the hotel I stayed at while my husband was in the hospital across the street. I ate most exclusively here at Mel’s...breakfast, lunch and dinner. My food was ready in no more than 15 minutes. I had many of the items on the menu and was pleased every time. Excellent salmon meal, excellent tomato soup, excellent meatloaf meal. Even the veggies were done to perfection. One night there was only one waiter but even then he had great hustle and gave me good service.

I ate here on two occasions. An early lunch and an early dinner. On both occasions I was seated within seconds. Staff very friendly and on the ball. Answered questions about the specials and the food was as expected. Free wifi.

The milkshakes are amazing and definitely try the sliders. Conveniently located right next to our hotel.

The service was scant, the food was horrible and I had to find a key on a stick to use the bathroom. The only positive is that it was open.

Mediocre food and slow slow service here recently. Dry, almost burned french toast is just one example. Took an age to get our order taken and even longer for the food to arrive. The place was not busy at all at 07:30 . Not a good experience.

Wonderful service / food / prices / serving staff were chatty and so friendly ! Great atmosphere , great layout and decoration too .

I stayed at the Courtyard next door and went here for dinner on my own after visiting the Bay Area for business. The decor has a retro vibe, and the restaurant is now called Mel's Kitchen. The staff were friendly and the service was quick. I had the chicken noodle soup followed by the grilled salmon - both dishes were faultless. I left full and happy. Will certainly visit again.

We recently stayed 5 days at the well located Courtyard Marriott Van Ness in San Francisco which is located above Mel's Kitchen. We have eaten there many times over the years but during this visit, we really appreciated the convenience of having a great restaurant right downstairs to easily bring up to our room. For breakfast, we enjoyed their veggie omelet, waffle, pancakes, eggs, bacon and potatoes and more. For lunch and dinner, we loved their excellent crispy fried chicken, club sandwich, grilled chicken sandwich and BLT. They are quick to prepare the food and on time plus their staff are friendly and professional. We were so grateful to have the convenience of a reliably delicious restaurant that is both casual and friendly. The historic photos are fun to view as well. Highly recommend for locals, visitors, families, group celebrations and much more!

We had a super breakfast. The staff always very friendly and the ambiance ... back in time to the 50's

The 1/3 pound burger was ok, but nothing special. And at around 10 bucks, not as good as similarly priced ones at Red Robin, and not as good as those at fast food chains like Carl's Jr. & Burger King. Comes dressed with the basics - lettuce, pickles & red onions, no sauce - you add your own mustard, catsup etc. However, the side of potatoe salad was very good and reasonably priced at 2 bucks.

A great place to just hag out with great American food an Wi-Fi. Friendly and just wholesome food. Come by and go back to American Graffiti and just have fun. Everything tried was great

This was a good little find for breakfast. Not far from our hotel. Don't quite understand what people want from breakfast??? Michelin stars? Jeez eat a bagel and shut up! Great service, great food. Loved it!

We stayed at The Opal hotel which is right next to this diner. There's even an interior entrance from the hotel to the diner. Diner is 59's style, we enjoyed breakfast a couple of mornings and 1 late night dinner. Friendly staff.

Stopped in late afternoon to rest and relax after walking around Union Square and downtown SF. Fun find. We weren't too hungry so we just ordered milk shakes and malts. They were fantastic. They use a team service idea so person who takes order does not deliver and serve.

My wife and I had a couple meals at Mel's. It was like stepping back in time. No price wise, but decoration wise. I had some decent roast beef and my wife enjoyed the salad. Another time we had burgers. Not bad, but not the best we've had either. It's a nice place to visit, when you want to be transported back to your teen years. Well that is if you're in your 60s.

1950 style dinning open late with super good shakes! It's clean and the staff are friendly. The food is just basic diner value vs the quality left me feeling meh...

My friends and I came here for breakfast because it was within walking distance from our hotel. After our meal and an $80 bill for breakfast for 4, I’d wish we’d gone to Denny’s. Food was average, service attentive but what you’re really paying for here is decor and classic diner vibe. I think I’ll spend the extra time to search out a better breakfast spot on my next trip to SF.

Very tasty food (corn beef hash for breakfast was a new one for me), staff keen to please, quick service and refills.

If you like Usa food and the old 50's/60's style this restaurant is well worth a visit. Service is rapid and friendly.

Great atmosphere, very attentive waitresses and good food. The prices were pretty good and it was in a very walkable area close to our hotel.

My sister, nephew, my friend laura and I ate Thanksgiving lunch here. I had the thanksgiving dinner special. It was really good. We were all satisfied with our food and stuffed! We also shared the strawberry cheesecake! My nephew loved the place because it had fast wifi!

We actually were staying down the road, but our hotel breakfast expensive and not great. So we walked down! Yummy food quick and friendly service!

Great diner with good selection. Love the old school vibe and add the American graffiti history and the juke boxes at the booths…fun

Brought some friends from out of town here to experience Mel's, the name has changed to Mel's kitchen - not sure why. We were quite early for dinner, and the place was empty, so it was missing its usual vibe, however, the standard burger and fries were great as always! A San Francisco institution worth visiting.

We stumbled upon Mels while walking and seeing a diner as you see on the television shows like Happy Days, we had to go in and so happy that we did. The menu is quite extensive but being in this atmosphere with the juke box, the 1950 - 60's style seating, I just had to have the apple pie and strawberry milkshake. The apple pie and ice cream was delicious and the milkshake was the way I remembered them being served - the tall glass filled and then the tin milkshake with the remainder of your drink. A filling meal by themselves. It may not have been the best of meals for the waist line but certainly brought back memories. It is easy to see why Mels is celebrating 60 years in December 2017.

Really cool place, been around for like 70 years! And I understand why! Good service, good food and "clean as a whistles"! If you're in San Fran, try it out!

Right next door to our hotel, The Opal, with it's own private access to Mels. We had very good food, especially the salads, husband had a goodsteak cooked how he likes it. Ate there twice so it must be good. Liked the decor, stylish diner

The place formally known as Mel’s Diner has had a revamp.... Welcome to the new Mel’s Kitchen. Same great food menu that a Mel’s is known for, burgers, sandwiches etc. but now with a great bar choice of beers and cocktails. Although a Friday night and Valentines the place wasn’t that busy but I suspect that was because we were in pretty late as we’d just arrived in the city and were looking for a quick bite. Good service, food was well prepared and tasty and good value particularly with the 10% discount from staying at the hotel next door.

There was nothing special about this place. It is a diner. It has been visited by Guy Fieri of food network fame, but it is still just a diner. I had some good macaroni and cheese that was a little on the cheesy side. My mom had the pot pie, which was bigger than her face. It was a little bland and there was something a little strange about how the crust tasted. But I also don't think anything in the world is as good as my mom's homemade pot pie, so I'm a harsh critic. Overall, it's worth eating at if you walked ten miles and you just can't bring yourself to walk any farther to another restaurant. But I probably wouldn't eat here again since there are so many amazing choices not far away.

This has got to be one of the cutest and most affordable restaurants in downtown San Francisco. This was walking distance from my hotel, the Holiday Inn on Van Ness, and quite charming. I had the malted shake and it was wonderful, along with a meat dish. The retro atmosphere with the mini juxe box on the counter along with black and white photos from the 1950s and 60s added a nostalgic touch to the whole experience. Good food, good prices, quite a gem in a wonderful city.

Were staying at hotel next door and fancied a "traditional" American breakfast. Service good and friendly, very clean with an extensive menu. Food was very good, hot and fruit was fresh, coffee (according to my son) was fantastic and tools up regularly Not cheap but is that just San Francisco ?? Love the decoration and feel of the place

The wife and I truly enjoyed the food. I had the lumberjack breakfast and she enjoyed the Ruben sandwich. Excellent service and decent prices.

Great dining food. Great all around service. Food was very good and was made very quickly. Waiter continued to check on our table.

Okay but limited menu. Great Gin and Tonic (tall) $75 for two gin and tonics, a tuna melt and a patty melt and a tip.

Tried their lunch special for $9.99. Got a burger and fries. And a milk shake!! The food came very fast.

If your old enough to know the movie "American Graffiti" you will love this place...very nostalgic. Happy staff, lots of food choices and plenty on the plate. They serve the old style shakes and it was delicious. A must to experience.

A 'proper' American diner with a great retro Americana feel. Huge portions, low prices and friendly service. You've got to have at least one diner meal when you visit anywhere in the US and this is a really good one.

Well what can I say, this is a real treat for those who like to have breakfast American style. There are so many choices, all of which are great, but those pancakes and french toast well, just try it and see. I am sure you will agree there are absolutely delicious, yum yum!! I beautiful start to any day in San Fran!! :)

First time staying downtown SF at the hotel next door. Didn't feel like driving so decided since this place is supposed to be an institution I would try it. Sign says please wait to be seated. Stood there for almost five minutes as all the wait staff walked by without being acknowledged. Finally I was seated. I must admit the prices were definitely more that I was expecting. Ordered an $8 malt which came really quickly. As to the rest was all down hill. Meala too forever to arrive and was cold. Had Chuck Wagon Blue Plate $15. Nothing was seasoned. Asked for medium temp meat was well done TV dinner style mashed potatoes Server never came by unless I flagged her down. Not one happy face on the team members. A $30 disappointment. I could have gone to CVS and got a better meal.

American comfort food served in a kitschy 1950s style diner. The food is ok--pot pie, salads, soups, the usual. The shakes are very good. The prices are steep to me, but I guess that's the norm for SAN Francisco

We went for breakfast recently, after not having been to Mel's for years. I should have turned around when I smelled the grease, but we stayed. The service was terrible - it was slow and we got the wrong order twice. The fruit was old, the eggs were inedible and the bacon was somehow burnt and undercooked at the same time. I rarely take the time to write a bad review, but this space needs a new tenant!

My daughter and I grabbed breakfast here on a recent trip to San Francisco. Delicious food and a damn good cup of coffee. The desserts looked amazing and my daughter wanted to go back for an ice cream sundae, but we didn't have time. The theme is 50s diner and there are juke boxes at each table. The waitress gave us quarters. My daughter was super excited and said she felt like she was in the movie, Grease.

I choose Mel's because it was convenient, and I was quite tired after many days of flying. I was pleasantly surprised by the hearty and delicious breakfast.

very close to where I stayed, the place was clean and the food good just small portions and a bit pricey.

Service fair, acceptable. Food good, but you don't get much for the money. Atmosphere is average. Not a good value at all, by the time all the Government Mandated taxes are added. Really, how do people live here and why do they accept the hefty taxation? Had simple burgers/sandwiches and only water to drink and we left almost $100 lighter in our pocket. My advice: SKIP IT!

This historic landmark still puts out great food. It was attached to The Opal Hotel with a direct entrance from the lobby of the hotel. Atmosphere was 60"s and food was great!

A friend and I spent a very stressful 24 hours in San Francisco after delivering another friend there for surgery. While in the underground parking at the hospital there was a Code Red Evacuation. When we finally made our way to the Emergency Exit three floors above ... we asked the attending security guard if there was a good place close by to get something to eat. He suggested Mel's Kitchen and said it was around the corner .. down to the end of that block and across the street. We were happy to find out it was linked with the Courtyard Marriott where we had our overnight reservations. We had a long lunch there trying to sort out our plans ... the food was great and no one was trying to rush us to leave .. .we had a light late dinner there and also breakfast the next morning ... not rushed then either. Our stress level was obvious and the BEST PART of Mel's was their amazing wait staff ... they were kind and courteous and helpful and just great people. We so appreciated that ... sending them a big THANK YOU for extending their kindness to us.

Very good spot to at eat at VanNess. Brings back memories of the diner in the 50s and 60s. Great spot for breakfast before beginning your tour of SF.

The whole theme is classic America, or...the pop age perhaps. Anyways, for each table/booth, you get a mini jukebox with a wide selection of classics ranging from the Beatles to Duke Ellington to many others. Though the food is a little pricey, and you may come across panhandlers on the Van Ness location (more like they will come across you), those are both just San Francisco, not really at the fault of the restaurant. Also, they have some sort of sausages that are perhaps the best I've ever had. Would definitely go again.

I had been to Mel's Drive-in in LA so had to check out San Francisco to see how it compared and it didn't disappoint. Located within the Opal Hotel with easy access for guests is a great convenience. Service was pleasant and food amazing.

We stopped at this themed place in downtown San Francisco. We loved the apple pie and enjoyed the atmosphere (although clearly reconstructed) of the place.

Had breakfast at Mel's in a Sunday morning. Food was average at best. Service was average at best. Explore other options before settling on this one.

Mel’s is a place we visit regularly on trips to SF. It’s classic diner food, set in retro decor, is always a delight. Their malted milk shakes are out of this world.

A true diner experience! Bring you appetites and enjoy a juicy Berger and crisp fries. Just happened across this place and really enjoyed our lunch. The menu is extensive and the choices are many. We stuck to true diner food burgers, fries and onion rings. All the food was great. It took a bit to get our food but the place was busy. They never let our drink glasses run dry.

Went in to try the “New” Mel’s, I enjoyed it very much. As soon as I walked through the door, one of the red shirted floor staff bid me welcome and offered me a seat “anywhere you feel comfortable”. I ordered a Mimosa (I had a second one) and went straight to the main course, fried chicken with potatoes au gratin, really tasty and filling. Five minutes after my meal arrived, one of the wait staff asked if it Wes “cooked to your liking Sir”. I recommend this place for their wonderful food and their attentive and friendly waitstaff! I’ll be back!

A little disappointed ! Good American restaurant and passable food, cold fries on arrival, nonchalant waiter. Well I won't go back

This place is great , service is good price is average refills of coffee in morning are fast and the milkshakes are to die for some tables have a small jukebox next to them to play selected songs at a price

Always delicious. Sandwiches, burgers, fries and shakes. Reasonably priced and great location to convention center. Service is fast and food is yummy.

Nice place clean and vet professional. Good place after watching a movie at Amc theater. Quickly delivers. Food also tasty

Going old school with lunch at Mel's dinner. Can't go wrong with a Reuben, coleslaw and a coke. I'll have to go blue plate special next time and a piece of Apple pie.

Whenever we are in San Francisco, and we are tired and need a close place to go, this is where we go. How and you go wrong with Mel's, great atmosphere, friendly staff, and food is good. Had a Cheese Burger with a Black & White shake. YUM!!!

Went in for a late lunch, and left stuffed and happy. I ordered the Mel's burger and fries, and my wife ordered the chicken tenderloins with fries. In the menu it's in the appetizer section. The burger was delicious and cooked exactly the way I like it. Fries were great. The amount of chicken tenders were awesome! 6 great big tenders, equal to 3 big chicken breasts! My wife did not have a chance in he¿¿ of eating all of them. Luckily she had me to support her ;-) Also, when I pulled out my phone after sitting down I dropped a roll of cash on the floor without noticing. Our waiter saw this and immediately picked them up and gave them back. I really appreciate that kind of honesty. Of course, his service was great as well. Please go here and spend your money!

Got right in just after the lunch rush!! Good service and I had a meatloaf sandwich I really was one of the teenagers that hung out at the REAL Mel's in the day!! Others in our group had the Mel burger and a shake! Parking can be a problem but we found a space a block away!!

All I gotta say is $8.23 for a mediocre shake in a 12oz to go cup. Should have gone to Burger. King a few blocks away.

Lovely food, great service, reasonable price and a duke box! If you want a true diner experience then this is the place for you.

Staying atarriot gear place to people watch and the food is impeccable....reasonable friendly consistent and of course location location ......nice job

What a place if you want a breakfast then this is the place to go brilliant menu excellent service and very very clean

Years ago it was better. There was no problem with the food, we had breakfast there, but it is not that old school anymore. I miss it!

Great feel American diner. Good, varied menu, which offered vegan options. The avocado on toast was fabulous. Good value.

A clean diner and washroom, catering largely for the tourists. Went in with a daily Groupon which made the bill total better. A friendly Delma and Manager made for a great waitress. Will return if in the area.

The restaurant was busy. The theme is old American. Service was fast. We found it a bit overpriced for the basic burghers that we had.

This restuarant was just next door to our hotel so very convenient. Food was good and average price.

We ducked in here for a quick bite before attending a concert. It was average. I don't recommend getting a salad there. The espresso milkshake was tasty.

As the closest eatery to our hotel, we ate here on several occasions during our stay in SF, initially recommended to us by friends also staying nearby. The first time it was great, with excellent service and enjoyable food, so we went back the following evening for pie and milkshakes. the milkshakes were great but I still reckon Denny's are better for flavour and value, the pies distinctly average, and the cost racked up alarmingly considering none of the 4 of us had a main meal. Nonetheless we went back for breakfast, but the food and service were average and prices again seemed rather steep; more than you'd pay at our local café in the UK (which let's face it, is pretty much what Mel's is) for a product that wasn't as good. In conclusion, Mel's is perfectly acceptable, but overall nothing to get too excited about, ordinary food in a flash suit.

Usually get a hamburger and a chocolate malt when we go to Mel's on Geary but the special was red beans and rice with sausage. It was SO good!!!! Honestly hit the spot. Yes, I did get my chocolate, with extra malt, malt and this meal exceeded all expectations. Maybe I was just really hungry-delicious regardless. My husband got the Avocado burger, no complaints. Thanks Mel's-we've been to all your locations now.

For any fan of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" or "American Graffiti," the name Mel's is a familiar one. And during my grad school days in SF, I spent late nights at Mel's after a long session in the library. This was just my second SF visit post Covid, so I was observing how the city was coming back online. I had an early pick up for a day trip so stopped in for some coffee to go. The eaterie is updated and very sleek and sports a full, impressive bar. Spacious seating, nice space. But there are plenty of old memories on the walls and around the restaurant. Be sure to save time to check out the amazing photos. And there's some genuine City by the Bay good humor on the street just down from the entrance, have a look. Where were YOU in '62? At Mel's?

This was a great place for breakfast, lunch or dinner, but unfortunately, they closed up shop. Do not go to Tommy's thinking you'll get as good a meal, you won't. There is talk of a high end restaurant replacing Mel's, but they don't need that. This area needs a nice cheap eats with quality food!

Great food that is easy to order from good people. Conveniently located next to the Marriott hotel on Van Ness. Open late for food and breakfast served early.

Historic Mel's Drive-In is where part of American Graffiti was filmed. It still has the jukeboxes at each formica table. Everything is vintage. The food is typical diner food and prices are fair. Try the homemade milk shake.

The atmosphere here was very cute and I liked the old juke boxes they had, I would definitely recommend coming in here. The ambiance is really the reason to come in

I had breakfast there. The food was abundant and reasonably good. I liked the pancakes. The dinners atmosphere is nice too.

I was very hungry, I had a milkshake and a sandwich with Tabasco, it was delicious, we have so much fun, great service and good music. I'll return for sure !

Our local friends raved about it so we went for breakfast. Sure, the staff were very friendly and yes, it looks like a typical American diner but the food was very average. We had a plate of assorted sliders. Hot roast beef open sandwich with gravy and Eggs Verde. The portions were huge but nothing tasted outstanding. Not impressed and disappointed that we wasted one precious opportunity for an outstanding meal.

Wasn't super impressed. Convenient to the hotel where I was staying. Had breakfast there. Over priced for avocado toast with egg that barely had any avocado. Juice was pretty good. Wouldn't go back

We went to Mel's because it was next to the Marriot we were staying at. The staff is super kind and helpful and the restaurant looks very nice and spotless. The waiter remembered that I bring my own reusable straws and complimented me on that. The menu offers great options for vegetarians and they even serve meatless hamburgers. Their smoothies are excellent as well. All the plates and cutlery are multiple use so that is great as well. I would definitely recommend to go here!

This place was great and the food was outstanding!!! Good enough to go back for breakfast the 2nd time and take my son and my niece.

If all you are looking for to eat a good hamburger, it's a good place! If you are at the Opal, it is next door!

Place is actually called “Mel’s Kitchen,” not Mel’s Drive-In (although the two restaurants are related). Also some of the photos in some other reviews don’t appear to this place. That said - this is a good place to get all your standard American fare as well as the local favorites (chowder in a sourdough bowl). Food was good, service was attentive. Seems like the drinks would be good too but we didn’t get a chance to try. Basically the go-to restaurant if you’re staying at the hotel. Also good if you’re doing something at the hospital across the corner, Although there is a good restaurant across the street as well (but it opens late). No complaints and would recommend.

I ordered the home made turkey dinner. What a disaster it was a precooked frozen re-heated factory home made. A spoon full of paste stuffing, tasteless re-heated mixed veggies. The only part I enjoyed was the mashed potatoes. Boston Market, where are you? Nice place 50's style, but don't go for the food.

It was with great pleasure I saw a Shepard's Pie blue plate special of for 14.95. Well it was nothing like I expected, maybe it was a California twist on an old world classic. That being said it was excellent. I would buy it again. The same cannot be said for the fish and chips. Fries were good however the three small pieces of fish were worthy of a 9.95 not 16.95. My wife was disappointed. I assume they were standard freezer fare. Not what she expected in a bayside city. The coleslaw was a tasty large helping. The $8.00 milkshake was very good. I would return...next time burgers leaving fish for the wharf.

Have eaten at the Mel's drive in diner in Hollywood and thought the one in Hollywood was better. This was is in a bad part of town plus the service was not very good. Very few customers in the place on a Thursday afternoon but waiter was hard to find. Seemed clean with ok bathrooms. My blueplate special was not available (out of it) although it was early afternoon. Chili was good and breakfast food good. Price stiff even for san Francisco.

I had a Melburger and it was superbly done. Also had it with sweet potato fries and again faultless. We had desert which was Apple pie a la mode (apple pie with ice cream). That was delicious.

We stumbled across Mel's Drive-in when we were in need of a rest during a long walk. It was superb! The wait staff were excellent as were the gluten free options on the menu. If only we had discovered it sooner! The decor was 50/60s and looked so authentic. It was obviously a popular place, not just for its authentic look but especially for its fabulous food.

We stayed in the adjoining hotel over the Christmas holiday this year. Your average little diner. It was nice being 24 hours (got a midnight snack one night!)