Mel's Drive-In is a fun, nostalgic spot that's definitely worth visiting--especially if you enjoy that classic retro diner vibe. The atmosphere really stands out, with a cool 50s theme that makes the whole experience feel unique and memorable. The burger was the highlight of the meal--juicy, flavorful, and cooked just right. It's exactly what you'd hope for from a place like this. The fries were decent, but nothing special--good enough, just not as standout as the burger. The cheese sticks were tasty and cooked well, but at around $18, they felt a bit overpriced for what you get. The restaurant was clean, and the staff were friendly and kept things moving smoothly. Overall, it's a great place to visit for the experience, solid food, and fun atmosphere. Not perfect across the board, but definitely a spot I'd recommend checking out at least once if you're in San Francisco. read more

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I remember this place being significantly better. We came after a late night Giants game because nothing is better than good ole fashioned diner food. Greasy, salty and fatty. Here's what we got: 1. Banana milkshake 10/10 2. Coke float 10/10 3. Beef dip 2/10 4. Smash burger 6/10 Service was still great! There was only one server and the place started to get pretty packed so that's the good news. Also, forgot how nostalgic it is at a diner and one that still has a juke box. Come for the vibes and milkshakes. read more

A fun retro diner vibe serving American diner food. The restaurant has many fun drinks to choose from, though I personally felt that they were a bit pricey. Service took longer than expected but this may be due to understaffing. 5/5 - Jalapeno Cheeseburger - This burger dish was quite juicy and served with a soft brioche bun. The jalapenos were not overwhelming and the texture profile was pretty satisfying with the shoestring fried onions. Smash burger patty was also very well-seasoned and very tender. Fries and other complementing items were generous, and I was left quite filled! read more

Mel's Drive-In - Jalapeño Cheeseburger - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

First time trying Mel's Drive-In. The food is delicious, and the portion is great. The service could have been better. The ambiance was okay; it probably would be better if it's a different time of the day. read more

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After a day of traveling, I stopped in for dinner at Mel's, a solid, historic diner with many locations. I ordered the R-66 Burger and thoroughly enjoyed it. read more

Mel's Drive-In - R-66 Burger and fries - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

Big retro diner vibes, ok food. The milkshake was pretty good and saved the day. Nice and creamy with oreo crumbles. Good consistency and flavor. The food was alright, kinda mediocre taste (we got breakfast, perhaps sandwiches are better??). The flavor and texture of the pancakes had a weird aftertaste feeling on my tongue, so I wasn't too impressed with them. They were eh. The sausage was not very good either. Weird chew to it. The egg was fine; cooked to my request. read more

Mel's Drive-In - oreo milkshake - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Okay, I stopped here for lunch and decided on the Famous Melburger with fries and an Ice Tea. The burger was good as were the fries and Drink. The service was very good. But nothing really special. I will stop here for dinner and see if my score goes up read more

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If you're looking for a real burger, not something over styled or trying too hard, this is absolutely a spot to stop by. I ordered The Famous Mel's Burger, well done and it delivered exactly what you want from a classic diner burger, big, juicy and packed with flavor. The patty held up beautifully even well done, the bun was soft with a nice sesame crunch and everything tasted straightforward and satisfying. The fries were another win, crispy, crunchy and well seasoned, with that perfect balance where they're golden on the outside and fluffy inside. Simple, but done right. Now the real standout for me was the apple pie. This isn't one of those overly sweet, mushy pies. You get real, generous chunks of apple, a noticeable cinnamon warmth and a nice, flaky crust. The portion size is solid for the price and it's especially perfect during colder weather, comforting without being heavy. Overall, this meal hit exactly where it should. Classic diner food, done with care. read more

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Food was delicious and consistent. Plenty of good options and great setting. This is a good option when you're looking for variety. read more

Mel's Drive-In - Side Salad was quite delicious - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Just wow! If you want to time travel, this is the place to go. So efficient, so pretty and very clean, even the bathrooms! The food was so good, but lacking on the saltiness that you should expect, so one less star. I definitely recommend everyone to try the root beer!!! Soooo good, we had to take some for the go and a chicken wrap for my husband. Vegetarian friendly! Lots of options on the menu. read more

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Classic dive style diner. Service is solid and the french fries are good. Ive eaten here twice this week though and both times the sandwiches were on the dry side. Had to ask for additional mayo/sauces. Overall though I enjoy eating here. read more

The smash burger and fries were very good. Very good service. Also we definitely go back there. It was fast and the food was great..

My first time here! I was attracted to the nostalgic diner feel. Party of eight, Walk in on a Saturday evening and seatedt immediately. The inside match the outside, So much nostalgia, classic diner style. Service was prompt and friendly. There are so many menu options and everything we all ordered was delicious. The majority ordered the smashburger and it was a hit. Highly recommend it. I had the fresh roots juice, It was really good, expensive but good. It was chilly outside so I went with the soup, The menu said it's the best chicken noodle soup in town. I agree it was really good I just wish it wasn't so oily. My lips were super slick . I also enjoyed the grilled chicken sandwich on sourdough. Anywho, I would say give this place a try, everything we had was really good. read more

Mel's Drive-In - Grilled chicken sandwich on sourdough, everything was fresh and delicious. I really liked the fries too. - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I have always loved Mel's for their meals at a reasonable price. I ate at the Mel's on Mission/4th St on New Year's Day. I didn't pay attention to the prices since I was familiar enough with them. When the check arrived I couldn't hold back from complaining to the waiter (I didn't blame him). Sure the wrap and patty melt were $22/$25 respectively but what caught my eye was the $5.50 Diet Coke and $9.00 chicken soup. This was not a bowl but a cup. I will return but be selective in what I order. read more

Mel's Drive-In - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

This 5 star review is based on how good this cornbread they have is . I ordered the Alaskan Cod with mash potatoes and gravy the mash and gravy reminded of the lazy mash and gravy I made at home the other day with butter and light seasoning salt , back to this cornbread it's literally perfect I willing to stamp it read more

Watch movies at AMC union square then Mel's drive in old time ..American graffiti ..mom I'm happy ..eggs ham cheese bread side ..Mel's at union square ..old times ..movies read more

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We first came across Mel's diner 36 years when we shared our first milkshake. Today we had a humongous fresh turkey club sandwich on sourdough bread. I opted for a sirloin steak sandwich which was awesome. total with Tip was $77.00- a lot pricy for two sandwiches & a milkshake but it is what it is. read more

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Definitely worth stopping by at Mel's for an early breakfast or late night snack. Highly recommend the burger, espresso shake, and grilled cheese. The vibes were really nice with old diner decor everywhere. Pretty empty when I went. The service was quite fast too! read more

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It's been 26 years since I stopped by Mel's. Was in SF for my son's baseball training and we decided to stop by for lunch. I grabbed the All American Smash Burger with Swiss cheese with a side of Onion Rings and the kid ordered a Short Rib Grilled Cheese with a Strawberry milkshake. Service was friendly. Food arrived hot and fresh tasting. This location is setup like an old school dinner with oldies playing. Place was clean and spacious. Would definitely comeback read more

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We came here Sunday night for dinner. Place was about half full when we got in. Got seated right away and ordered a couple of burgers, fried chicken sandwich and a fried chicken plate. Food came out in about 15-20 minutes which was fine. The ambiance inside was very nice. Staff here was working hard but overall experience was good. Food was good read more

Genuinely some of the nicest people I've ever met, and the food was absolutely fantastic. I loved my vegan milkshake, and the burrito was delicious as well! 10 out of 10, plan to go back every time I'm in town. read more

Mel's Drive-In - *Vegan Oreo Shake - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Love their gluten-free sandwich options! Service is normally quick, quality consistency is questionable. Worth checking out for the vibe of the restaurant alone! read more

Mel's Drive-In - Gluten-free tuna melt - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Food was OK! My biggest complaint was about the waiter's reluctance to serve a large group and made it painfully apparent with his scowl of disdain as we were being seated and served. Multiple dishes and drinks were missing and had to be requested multiple times. Food was OK as to be expected by a diner, but service could be better. read more

Attentive staff Fast service. Good classic American food. I ordered the smash burger. read more

Mel's Drive-In - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great place to stop by and have comfort food on a cold night. Service was great and the food arrived fast. I had the clam chowder bowl and it was delicious. The soup was filling and sourdough bowl was perfect. The portions are large here so come hungry. They are open late so it's perfect after night out. read more

Mel's Drive-In - Bowl Clam Chowder - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I stopped in for breakfast and sat at the counter. The ambiance was exactly what I was looking for from a diner. Service was quick which is part of the allure of counter service. Serving sizes were big and food was flavorful. No complaints. read more

Mel's Drive-In - Bacon Egg and Cheese - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

We came here when it was packed during the Super Bowl 60! Wait was long. Service was ok, since it was packed packed. Food was okay. The fruit was old like it's been sitting had a particular taste to it. read more

Mel's Drive-In - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This was the first Mel's Diner opened in 1947. We thought we would stop for some burgers and history! Overall, the food was okay. Henry our server was wonderful. He was kind, funny, and quick! This is an older resturant so it has that charm keep that in mind when you want to know the vibe. Still a fun experience although we probably won't be back. read more

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We were looking forward to having breakfast here since we love the Mel's diners in our city but we were disappointed. While the service was good, the food was average. The breakfast was overpriced and the drinks we ordered (Bloody Mary and Mimosa) lacked any alcohol. Also, the biscuits were hard and the gravy was too thin. The bacon was good but the potatoes were too soft and the eggs were okay. Though the music and inside decor was cool, for breakfast, I would try another place if you're visiting SF. read more

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The food is just ok, nothing special. I've mainly had breakfast and I can actually cook me some eggs, ham, and potatoes / toast a lot better at home. The service is good, the waiter was really attentive. I went during the day, I like the inside ( mainly because of a fan of anything 50s and 60s ). The ambiance is good. Here's the kicker, it's way too expensive. No value. I had some ham, 2 eggs sunny side up , some potatoes and 2x pieces of toast. Also a coke. When the check came it was $28. Yup, 28 dollars for something I can cook at home for less than $5. I left the waiter $5 tip ( he deserved it. Nice person ). By the time I exited the place I had spent $33. Insane. I could have bought me a very nice dinner somewhere else, with steak. For this reason, I will not be returning to Mel's. Extremely inflated prices for food that just doesn't justify the price tags. read more

Mel's Drive-In - Receipt. $33 yikes ! - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

There is nothing like your classic American diner. You get all of the diner era decorations and staff attire. I was promptly seated at my table. On one, I tried the turkey burger. On another day, I tried the Chilli cheese dog. The turkey burger with cheddar & bacon was cooked perfectly. The meal lite, but filling. The next day, I had the chilli cheese. The hot dog was a good size and had the right amount of chilli, cheese, and onion. I thought the bun was a bit oversized. Other than that, it was a great meal. I hope to visit this diner in the future. read more

Mel's Drive-In - Chilli cheese dog - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Came here with a group of friends on a Saturday night and had a solid experience. We were greeted right away, pretty sure by the manager, which was a nice touch. He seemed genuinely invested in making sure everyone had a good time. We were seated immediately, which was surprising for dinner time, but it was not too crowded. We ordered a mix of dishes including turkey, salads, and steak. My partner and I split the clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl and the smash burger. The smash burger was well seasoned and pretty tasty, though honestly, not a huge step up from In N Out. Fries were not that crispy, so next time I would ask for them well done. The bread bowl was just okay, nothing terrible, but not something I would go out of my way to get again. Prices were not bad, about $15-20 an entree on average. Friends seemed happy with their meals overall, and the vibe is very classic diner with retro decor, friendly staff, and a casual atmosphere. Parking can be a pain since it is in the middle of the city, so plan ahead if you are driving. Pro tip: They have had a Groupon running for what feels like forever. Worth checking before you go since it is usually available and a good way to save a few bucks. read more

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It makes me sad to write this, but this place is not what it used to be. Fond memories of what once was a San Francisco institution. Largely overpriced, and subpar food. Nearly two hundred dollars for one appetizer, three burgers/sandwiches with fries, and a couple of shakes is ridiculous. Service was mediocre at best. Definitely not worth it on many levels. read more

I was recently visiting the Bay Area and decided to stop in at Mel's because it was "familiar" cuisine for me. Well, it was still pretty great as far as the ambience and quality of food - especially the butterscotch milkshake with malt! My only complaint, although it's not enough to give any less than five stars, was that the wait staff took a long time to get to us between orders even though it really wasn't that crowded. Not a big deal, but don't come here if you're looking for a quick bite - otherwise, enjoy! read more

Mel's Drive-In - General layout - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

Well I was sorely disappointed. The last Mel's I went to I thought I was the best I had for potatoes etc When I first walked in, there was a group of waitresses or staff in the back talking and talking. They were talking about things that were not related to work and about other people. I had to wait several minutes for them to finish and then they sent me in the back That's no big deal though but the food itself was disappointing. The french fries are coated in something I don't really care for, and the fish was probably Frozen. It was kind of skimpy and not cooked exactly right parts of it were chewy too much so Not the best but I guess it was all right, and the staff really weren't that bad but maybe they need some more mature people working there not just a bunch of young kids read more

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Been there twice and would prefer to go to a different Mel's location. The Server Manny got my order wrong both times the first time I got a J Jalapeño burger which is my usual and it was well undercooked, and the service was awful and very inattentive to us as paying customers The second time about a couple months later (on 11-19-2025) when me and my other half arrived it the place looked empty and quiet the ambiance showed . We had manny as our waiter again. I had strawberry milkshake with no whip cream and it normally comes with a cherry. I didn't get the cherry. I ordered the J jalapeño burger again with no red unions, no lettuce and no tomato's cooked medium well. When I got my burger I didn't get sauce. Instead of getting sauce manny took my food from me and had the kitchen make me a fresh burger talk about a waste. When I got my second burger it has red unions on it. My other ordered a coffee and waited over 20 minutes for a simple coffee and a water. The other also ordered a chicken wrap with bacon. Manny didn't know how to add bacon so ended up charging us for a side of bacon and over charged it. After I got my second burger I asked the cook Roger for "future reference" if we are able to add bacon on the chicken wrap and "he said I don't see why not". When observing manny he is like he didn't care he was making rounds to other tables but never checking on us. There was another waiter Roberto who actually brought us our check. I asked if manny finished his shift and Roberto said he's still here. Which to us Manny never cared about his position. It's a shame this is the second time I have been disappointed for this location and I know we will not be returning to this location at any time read more

Disappointing Service Experience and Clear Discrimination at Mel's Drive Inn (San Francisco - 801 Mission St) Date: January 8, 2026, around 5 PM Location: Mel's Drive Inn, 801 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103 --- What happened: 1. Ordering process · My brother and I dined at the restaurant and were served by a Latino male staff member (wearing a white dress shirt, likely a manager). · I ordered a New York steak and a classic hamburger. The server asked twice for the preferred doneness for both items, and I answered "medium rare" each time. · When I asked for drink recommendations other than milkshakes, he suggested orange juice and mentioned that strawberry milkshake was the most popular. 2. Unprofessional attitude · During ordering, I smiled, said "thank you" multiple times, and maintained polite engagement, yet the server appeared confused and impatient. · Throughout our meal, the employee spent most of his time chatting with other staff near the cash register, showing little attention to customers. 3. Food delay and negligence · The milkshake, orange juice, and steak were served gradually. After my brother had almost finished the steak, the hamburger was still missing. · When I asked about the hamburger, the server claimed, "You didn't order it," without apologizing or offering to expedite the order, and simply inputted the item coldly. · Given that he had specifically asked for the hamburger's doneness earlier, the order was clearly recorded--yet he shifted the blame to us. 4. Discriminatory treatment and racial bias · The same employee was friendly and attentive to white customers at other tables but displayed arrogant expressions and dismissive behavior toward us. · As Asian patrons who remained polite throughout, we felt intentionally ignored, suggesting possible racial discrimination. 5. Payment and warning · I immediately canceled the missing hamburger and chose to leave no tip as a protest against the poor service. · Formal notice: If the restaurant attempts to add an unauthorized tip to my payment, I will retain evidence and file a complaint with relevant government authorities. We are long-term Asian residents of the Bay Area, fully prepared to pursue this matter with all available resources. --- Summary: This experience went beyond simple service failure--it reflected intentional neglect and disrespect toward Asian customers. We urge the management to address such behavior seriously and improve staff training. We hope other customers will speak up against discriminatory treatment if encountered. read more

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I visited this spot a few years ago but I distinctly remember my experience there - and enjoyed it even though I was massively hungover! True to its name this spot is diner style and kind of transports you back in time. If you are looking for carb heavy rich foods you will definitely find it here - all things classic american style! I remember the service here being quick and nice - and the ambiance was nice and clean. For my food I ordered the Patty melt which I enjoyed. The portion was big and the food was flavorful, in diner style of course. I enjoyed my experience here and would go back! read more

We stopped by this place during Dreamforce for breakfast.......then we went back several more times during the week! What a nice diner! The first time I was there I ordered the avocado toast dish. It came with 3 broached eggs that were cooked absolutely perfectly! It was the tastiest breakfast I had all week. A few days later I ordered the French toast dish (Bacon, etc) it was tasty as well (albeit not as good as the avocado toast). The place was constantly busy, but we were able to get a seat each time (at the bar the second time) Service was good here and the environment was exactly what you would expect from a diner. read more

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Chili dog, dry ...even with the chili( was dried out) & salty. WOW , a chili that was dry. Warmed up too many times?? French fries, overcooked , sat in the grease too long or were recooked Service ... lukewarm They were accommodating a business group. I was an afterthought . I tried to get attention and the waiter walked past me to the group that were meeting. Insulting Ambience, not good I was running late for an appointment. I didn't have the time to complain. read more