Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Mel's Diner

    3.8 (231 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 1:45 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Mel's Diner Photos

    Business Info

    MEL'S DINER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Casual
    Dogs allowed

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Mel's Diner

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Biscuit
    HoyMay P.

    A bit of nostalgia coming to Mel's Diner serving American food. We were greeted upon entry and seated quickly in a booth with menus and a request for beverages. This location became famous in the movie American Graffiti. We ordered a regular omelette with hash browns, veggie omelette with home fries and an egg over medium with home fries. We all got a biscuit sans gravy with our meal or you may substitute toast. Service was excellent with the food arriving quickly. The order is a very large portion of food. Prices are reasonable. The food was filling and good. We all finished our plates! There is still counter seating here and many booths. The upper walls are lines with coffee mugs. Service is fantastic. The servers check on you often and offer drink refills. They have their own parking lot.

    Sign
    Liza G.

    Stopped here for breakfast on our way back home to CA. My husband asked me if I remembered Mel's Diner from TV. Finding out how close it was to our Airbnb, we had to stop. I am pleased to say, this is solid, fresh diner food. We both got breakfast. I opted for the veggie omelette with home fries and a plain biscuit. Everything was fresh and delicious. I highly recommend the biscuit. I ate it so fast, I forgot to take a picture until it was almost gone. Iconic place. So worth the stop. Cute decor and big portions.

    Kristina M.

    I've been wanting to try this place ever since I saw it. I never knew it was actually I'm Phoenix. I loved the show growing up. As most pointed out its more nostalgic on the outside. Not so much on the inside. It was still cool. Food was good. I didn't get any pictures of the food unfortunately. We were too were hungry to remember. Portions were big. Friendly service from everyone. Prices were normal. Nothing outrageous. We'll definitely be back.

    Menu
    Edgar D.

    The is a classic American style Diner. Everything you'd expect it to be it is. Nothing more and nothing less. This would be considered a local Dive to most, however there is Television history attached to this diner. The tv show Alice. The show aired from 1976-1985. The show followed Alice a N.Y. transplant with dreams of becoming an entertainer in Los Angeles. But gets sidetracked in Phoenix, and takes a job at Mel's Diner. It was a great show with funny characters. It was perfect for its time. Anywho, back to the actual Diner. The staff is super friendly and long standing. Thank you to Kadence for being my server and wonderful conversation. You can tell that Mano (the owner) treats them right. You'll find Lots of regulars within the hours of operation. Which are limited to 7am-1:30pm daily. That being said you never know who you might see filming their experience at the diner. Lots of Vloggers and tv historians are to be expected from time to time. The food is hearty, satisfying and tasty. The coffee is made to perfection. Nothing fancy or high end ingredients are needed. The food and ambiance is perfect.

    Today, 03/02/25, Breakfast Specials.
    Valerie M.

    First visit. YuMMmmm. A pretty straight forward, vintage diner. Simple layout, decor, menu, darn near everything here. Located very close to the Arizona State Fair & Exposition. Apparently the Mel's Diner show was filmed on location right here. There are plenty of good menu options and what we've had so far receives two thumbs up and high praises as we discuss our meal along the drive across town. On this occasion we both went with the Double Cheeseburger. I chose onion rings and my friend had the French fries. Both of us opted to pass on the soup. No regrets with that decision because honestly we could only get through half of our Hamburger. And the burger was fantastic! Thick, juicy, cooked to order, cheese melting, pickle, lettuce, tomato, and onion for topping were placed on the side and the French fries were the perfect accompaniment. Our server was pretty, sweet, and efficient. Third visit. Different server, new or less familiar with placing order on their little contraption which seemed to cause her some challenges when I asked for half & half along my burger for the side -half fries, half onion rings. After sensing this was possibly a problem I said O-rings was fine. What's on the menu? Ranges from breakfast, with the usual suspects of eggs and such but I did notice corned beef hash AND pork chops too. List of lunch options include chicken, pork tenderloin, Reuben, BBQ pulled pork, the classic tuna, blt, grilled cheese, ham & cheese, club sandwiches, open face sliced beef or pork tenderloin, along with chicken breast, 2 types of Greek, and Chef salads. And it continues with appetizers, Mel's Special Plates, the (BEST) Handmade Burgers & More, lunch sides and finally the beverages. The ONLY thing I don't see on the menu is a shake or malt option. Well heck, I just found out from the server that they actually don't have any dessert options. Well no worries there cuz I don't think I could eat much more.

    Brian B.

    Finally made it to Mel's Diner! They have been here a long time, I have driven by for 20 years as a resident and even more as a visitor. The food is classic diner food that hits the spot. The servers were friendly and understanding of our kids. Pretty chill spot, not too loud for table conversations. We split a farmers omelette and had a biscuit with gravy. The gravy could use some sausage, otherwise it's pretty good. The omelette was meaty, just the way we like it!

    Chorizo with three eggs any style with a side of beans.
    Michelle D.

    I had a BLT and my husband had the three eggs any style with chorizo and a side of beans. He was so ecstatic! Food was fantastic, service was amazing and I think this place is really underrated from the outside. If we ever are in Phoenix, we will definitely return!

    Amber Z.

    It has been a while since I stopped in, and this time around, I brought company who was just as excited as I was. We both ordered the all-you-can-eat fried cod with fries and coleslaw. Freshly prepared and fairly priced, we got our money's worth. Services are always top-notch, and the staff is readily available, whether it be to answer questions about the menu or to top off your beverage. The atmosphere is always fun and relaxing while also being nostalgic.

    Finally made it here for lunch.
    Matt G.

    As a Gen-Xer, I grew up watching the TV show Alice with my parents. The funny thing is, I've lived in Arizona for almost 17 years and it never dawned on me that Mel's Diner was in Phoenix until I saw a random new clipping about it. Of course, I had to check it out. I went there late morning to avoid the early morning breakfast rush. A wave of nostalgia washed over me as I pulled into the parking lot and saw the Mel's Diner sign. I knew they closed at 2 pm, so I figured that 11 am would be plenty of time. They were moderately busy when I got there, but there was still plenty of seating. I was greeted immediately and asked if I'd like a table. I opted to sit at the counter since it was just me. If you're expecting to see waitresses in uniforms like the TV show, you'll be disappointed. I didn't expect this since this isn't a commercialized tourist attraction where the staff dresses up. Other than the menus, I didn't see any other memorabilia. I like that the charm of this diner isn't tainted in that regard. I ordered the Reuben sandwich with fries simply because I've been craving a Reuben for a while. I was tempted to order one of the burgers. My order came with a cup of soup. Chicken Noodle and Hamburger Macaroni were the choices. I'm anti-chicken noodle soup due to childhood trauma, so my choice was easy. :) The soup was flavorful and delicious. My sandwich arrived shortly after finishing my soup. The sandwich was piping hot and the grilled Rye bread was crispy and not soggy! The sandwich was awesome. I will admit that I would have liked it a little more if it had some Thousand Island dressing on it. The fries had very little salt on them, which was fine with me. I thought that they were good. They weren't the battered trash that a lot of places serve these days. The service here was fantastic. The waitresses were very attentive and my iced tea never went empty. You can tell that they enjoy working with each other as the playful humor among coworkers was present. I've read other reviews that cite that the TV show was filmed here. That is incorrect. The exterior shots were used for the show. The show itself was filmed in studios in California. If you like the nostalgia and feel of old diners, this is a place to check out. It's tie to TV history as well as the good food that makes Mel's Diner worth checking out. I do plan on returning so I can try their burgers, jumbo shrimp, omelets, chicken fried steak, and pancakes. Hahaha!

    Outside! Fans of the show should recognize this?

    See all

    Photo of Sara M.
    371
    887
    5914

    5 years ago

    Helpful 30
    Thanks 0
    Love this 24
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jack M.
    0
    84
    21

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of K L.
    0
    8
    0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Eric R.
    1
    15
    27

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Karen C.
    231
    152
    1364

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Great service, tasty food & super friendly staff! The menu gives plenty of options to choose from to accommodate your appetite!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Elyssa S.
    2
    124
    38

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Diana B.
    80
    732
    2448

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Good old school style diner. Good value good food good service. Seats need new padding :)

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mary S.
    477
    1272
    1193

    5 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bob B.
    0
    185
    41

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ben C.
    257
    15
    14

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jim B.
    0
    76
    20

    2 years ago

    Food is decent. The service is good. And it looks as authentic as one would anticipate, as well.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jake F.
    0
    20
    14

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rob M.
    0
    25
    0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 6

    Ask the Community - Mel's Diner

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Diners 28,433 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Welcome Diner

    Welcome Diner

    4.4
    (1.5k reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    Cool vibe. Looks and feels neat both from the outside and inside. Very casual with ample seating…read moreinside and out. Wait staff is friendly and attentive. Fun collection of comfort food on the menu. We had the Biscuit & Gravy and Lil' Birdy (chicken biscuit). Both were ample in size, very filling. The Biscuit & Gravy had ample protein (sausage) with the biscuit clearly being made onsite. The Lil' Birdy was delicious. We're not from the area, but will definitely dine here again if we're ever back in that area.

    I enjoyed the feeling overall, very family friendly. It had a great feel and I liked the…read moretheme/vibe. The bathrooms were okay, like the theme but not the cleanest. The hostess and the waiter were amazing. We had the pleasure of talking to a cool gentlemen who was a cool native of Phoenix. I traveled from Tucson and wanted to give this Diner a try. Overall I would give this place a 3/5 stars. Huevos rancheros- disappointed it wasn't the traditional salsa bandera (onion, tomato, Jalepeno) but it was good. Different twist with the rib with eggs. The chips were soggy when I got my food. I liked the red onions, it added a little kick to the food on top of what the food offers to begin with. 6/10 Eggs over medium- not too runny how I like it. Velvety, the eggs weren't burnt crispy and was delightful. Meat was umami, savory and tender. Different than what I expected, had a little kick of spice. Beans were dry and bland. Not very impressed. 3/10 Pancakes were okay. A little dry for my taste but they were fluffy. The syrup with it was tasty. 5/10. I enjoyed this restaurant but I think it was a bit pricey for everything we ordered.

    Photos
    Welcome Diner
    No Way Jose burger.
    No Way Jose burger.
    Welcome Diner

    See all

    5 & Diner

    5 & Diner

    3.5
    (612 reviews)
    4.5 mi
    $$

    We had been at the Hermosa since Wednesday, we were served a beautiful dinner and Friday evening,…read morewe were fortunate to have reservations at the Wine Cellar!!! Come Saturday evening, we thought our son would fly in early enough, on his way back from North Carolina, to take him to Lon's restaurant at the resort. Unfortunately, due to delays he was not able to make it to the resort until after ten. By that time, most restaurants are closed for the evening!!! After a quick search, apart from the traditional 24/7s, we spotted the 5 & Diner, and it was close enough to get there within ten minutes! When we drove up, we were mildly surprised, a little retro, a restaurant we are not used to...upon entering the establishment, the staff was prompt, friendly, and we were seated in a nice booth right away. Our server, Danielle A was extremely helpful with the menu items, wonderfully cheerful, prompt on our orders, and could not have been more attentive!!! The food was well prepared, hot, very flavorful, and timely!!! We were extremely surprised and found this restaurant checked all of the boxes...not to mention surprisingly reasonable!!! By the way, the air conditioner was set at a perfect temperature for the triple digits of Phoenix!!! We would go back again!!! Humbly and respectfully, FLK

    I love coming here at any time of the day! The 24 hour service is definitely the main reason I…read morevisit when I'm hungry at odd hours. The food is always good whether its 2am or 10am, and the serving sizes are perfect for the price. I personally love The Reuben, and the fries it comes with are just the right amount of crispy.

    Photos
    Find this, feel rewarded!
    Find this, feel rewarded!
    5 & Diner
    5 & Diner

    See all

    Diner 50

    Diner 50

    4.7
    (350 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    Been meaning to try this since we pass it often. The diner…read moreis smaller, but we were able to immediately get seated and service is quick. The highlights are the large coffee mugs, the portion sizes, and that they menu items are made with thought, so the only customization made was no butter on the bread. Tried both the protein breakfast and the build your own omelette. The protein breakfast was perfect as at came with cottage cheese and avocado included, and there was salsa verde on the side. I dumped that over the top and let everything absorb. zit was the right amount of food and great flavor. The build you own omelette is a customization in itself, but the fruit cup made it stand out as it was larger and included bananas at the bottom with enough blueberries and strawberries. They do have a ~$2 card fee, but for the cost of breakfast that wasn't enough to drop it a star. The 4.8 Google review is on the nose. We will be back!

    I had some coworkers visiting from out of town so I wanted to find a solid breakfast spot to visit…read morenear our office. We LOVED our visit to Diner 50 and this is now my go-to breakfast spot downtown. Everything was perfection. We loved the art inside and outside, music, and vibe. Our server was warm, enthusiastic, and had immaculate timing. We appreciated how playful and passionate she was. I swear she knew the name of every guest who walked through the door, and asked them thoughtful questions about their loved ones or travels. This is obviously a place that people return to and become regulars at. An excellent sign. What we were not expecting (and SO DELIGHTED WITH) was the cat rescue space through the adjoining wall. We are all cat-obsessed, so walking in and seeing a room full of absolute sweeties playing around added 100,000 points to the experience. The coffee? Epic. Served in a nearly soup bowl sized cup (hot) or gigantic mason jar (iced). Diner coffee can sometimes leave much to be desired but this coffee was soooo delicious and strong. The food? So awesome. I went with a classic breakfast plate - eggs, sausage, potatoes, blueberry pancakes. I added a biscuit because the menu said they were homemade and I had to try it. It was exceptional, I would go back just for the sausage and biscuit and coffee. My coworker got the huevos rancheros with red and green sauce and I was massively jealous. Everyone left over-caffeinated with bellies full of delicious food and hearts warm from being so well taken care of by our lovely server and getting to play with kitties. The prices are fair, the food and coffee are delicious and homemade, and the service is exceptional. I am someone who really values being involved with my community, so I feel great about spending my money somewhere that is clearly beloved by my neighbors and pours back into them. Thank you Diner 50 for being such an unexpected delight!

    Photos
    Countertop dining with a screen projector in front displaying the Andy Griffin Show
    Countertop dining with a screen projector in front displaying the Andy Griffin Show
    Diner 50
    Diner 50 Decor

    See all

    Diner 50 Decor
    MacAlpine's Diner & Soda Fountain

    MacAlpine's Diner & Soda Fountain

    4.2
    (567 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    If you have never heard of MacAlpine's, this is your chance to read on! Opened in 1929, it was…read moreoriginally called "Birch's Pharmacy" and true to most pharmacies back then, it had a soda fountain. Fast forward nine years to 1938, and Fred MacAlpine purchased it, renaming it for his namesake, and operating it as a full-service pharmacy and soda fountain until 1991. It was then purchased by a couple who still own it today and have kept it in as much of its original condition as possible, including the soda fountain, the counter, and the malt machine. When you park and walk to the front of the yellow building, you can't help but feel joy. The storefront windows, the antiques, all of it make you wonder just how far back in time you're going to travel. Once you've stepped foot inside and onto the checkered floor, you can't help but smile at the counter, all of the antiques from decades past, and the wait staff who wears 1950s uniforms. We slid into our wood booth with the tiny jukebox on the wall and immediately got to reviewing the extensive menu. Everything... and I mean EVERYTHING... looked good. Bonus: They have gluten-free bread! My husband chose the cheeseburger and I chose the turkey BLT (on gluten-free bread) - both were delicious! We then opted to share a mint chocolate chip milkshake that was created on the original 1940s machine - something that completed the experience. When we were done, we were fortunate enough to chat with Monica Heizenrader, co-owner of MacAlpine's wth her daughter. She is a very kind woman who is very passionate about keeping the history of this diner alive, even taking to selling antiques (in the other rooms of the building) to help support the upkeep. However, with rising costs and some family challenges, it's getting tough. She was proud to have kept this going as long as she and her family have and even mentioned some of the more notable people that have stepped into the diner over the decades, including Barry Goldwater (a regular), Joan Ganz Cooney (one of the creators of Sesame Street), Frank Lloyd Wright, Aunt Maud, Marshall Good, Wayne Newton (who was discovered by a talent scout there), and more! If you're not able to visit Phoenix and this beautiful place any time soon, consider making a donation to keep it open - the link can be found on their website.

    Driving through Phoenix stopped by here for some shakes…read more This place has been around awhile. It's still serving shakes, malts, sandwiches and sundaes. This is an old fashioned malt shop. The wait staff was very nice and welcoming. The food came up fast. The food was good. No faults there. We enjoyed it. We also ordered a malt And some shakes. All was very tasty. IMO the food was a 4 and the service a 5 so all in all a good experience. They have several types of sandwiches including a Reuben, hamburgers. Ice cream in many many flavors. They also had some homemade pie. Didn't have any but they looked good. Glad to see this small business is still going. It was a nice respite while traveling through this hot summer afternoon

    Photos
    Table top juke box
    Table top juke box
    Egg Salad Sandwich
    Egg Salad Sandwich
    Save The Clock Tower!

    See all

    Save The Clock Tower!

    Mel's Diner - diners - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...