Original Mel's - Walnut Creek

The Sunday's are good and we got a warm welcome. Can't wait to come back!

This charming nostalgic restaurant serves up delicious food! It's become a tradition to stop by after a night out in town, and it never disappoints. The grilled cheese and tuna salad are favorites, along with their breakfast offerings. Their hashbrowns are incredible, and you definitely shouldn't miss the pancakes—make sure to order a side of those!

I had a wonderful experience at this restaurant. The service was excellent—very attentive staff who made sure my water was always filled, and my food arrived quickly. I tried the Chili Burger, which was delicious! It was open-faced, which I wasn't expecting, but I actually enjoyed it. I definitely plan to return to savor both the food and the charming decor, especially the mini jukeboxes at each table, which I absolutely loved!

While I was there, the staff consistently checked in on me, which I really appreciated. I tend to be quite emotional; one moment I’m fine, and the next I’m reflecting on the meaning of life—all because I couldn’t decide what to order. Thankfully, at Mels, I didn’t have to spiral into existential thoughts. I knew that a waiter would come by soon to see how I was doing. Some might assume these check-ins are just about the food or whether I was ready to order, but to me, they mean so much more. They sometimes mean the difference between having an emotional breakdown or staying composed. I felt reassured knowing that it wouldn’t be long before a waiter would ask, “How is everything?” It’s a loaded question, yet it’s the best kind. To me, that inquiry shows they care not just about the food, but about me as a person and everything that life entails. I never really have the perfect answer to that question, and I doubt I ever will. Yet, it’s comforting to know that someone genuinely cares. The waitstaff here were fantastic, and my breakfast burrito was absolutely delicious.

I absolutely adore Mel's Drive-In! The original location was in Hollywood and had a charming wooden structure. The restaurant is also featured in the movie "American Graffiti," which was set in Southern California.