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Mel's Drive-In

4.0 (956 reviews)
Open • 7:00 am - 11:00 pm

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MEL'S DRIVE-IN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Hipster
Casual
Touristy

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Recommended Reviews - Mel's Drive-In

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Reviews With Photos

Chris B.

My first time at this place, I had the Mills famous burger with their fries and a Andy Palmer drink. Our server was great. The food was great right on historic route 66. I highly recommend this place. It was my first time it will not be my last time at this place they do offer military discount in the ambience was great. Staff was great. We got our food pretty quick. I would definitely come back to this place.

Something scramble with hashbrowns.
Dennis H.

I have been wanting to visit this Mel's Diner ever since it opened a couple of years ago. It worked out as a good friend of mine was working nearby so I drove all the way up from the OC. It brought back great memories of going to the Mel's off Sunset during my college years a LONG TIME AGO. Great service. Got one of their scrambles I forgot which one. Simple black coffee. Great breakfast meal. It's a fun experience. Will probably make this our annual meet up spot. Thank you Mel's

Entrance
Huey B.

Came here while having friend from out of town visiting and we decided coming here based on the cool ambiance and location. Service was top notch and the food was delicious!

Mel's side lot & handicap entrance.
Mike W.

Iconic American diner with good service and tasty diner food. It's like you stepped inside the American Graffiti movie. We stopped in about a half hour before closing, but never felt rushed by Leah, our server. We started with a couple milkshakes: a Vanilla Caramel ($10.25) and a Chocolate Malted ($10.75), both delicious. We also ordered a couple burgers: Melburger ($19.95) and fries, and a Sunset Burger ($24) with onion rings (+$3). The burgers were well-seasoned and very tasty. Fries and onion rings were crispy on the outsides and soft on the insides. Overall, a fun diner with good food and service. We'll definitely be back.

Santa Monica location
Zan L.

I have been to many other Mel's locations around Los Angeles and in San Francisco, but I would say that this is probably the most famous location given the fact that it sits on the terminus of the original Route 66. Now the end is listed as the start of the Santa Monica Pier, however this was the original end. This location is just like the others, it's a traditional retro diner complete with a large menu and fast service. Inside is very large with counter and booth seating and it's consistently good every time I visit. This location has a large free parking lot attached in the back and on the side so parking is pretty easy. Our server was very polite and everything that we ordered came out very fast. Every time I come here, I get the tuna melt with avocado, which is what I did again for this visit. I did mix it up a bit and got the curled fries and added chili cheese on top and honestly really enjoyed that as well. You can't go wrong with their tuna or patty melt and honestly everything else I have tried here has been really good too. I also often get the club sandwich so can recommend that as a good option as well. Mel's is a great diner option for any age and I plan to be back again in the near future.

Wrong batter ratio and griddle with burned aftertaste meant that these pancakes were both raw in the middle and had burned flavors
Ashi F.

I hate surprise bills! When restaurant owners understand that patrons might be out-of-towners or tourists, and decide to sneak in surprise charges, I find the trend distasteful (pun intended). To note: the ice tea, an item costing pennies to make was $5.50! Again, $5.50 for an ice tea. So when the bill arrived imagine my surprise! Pancakes, the reason for me coming there were burned and had an off putting burned taste. Server replaced them, but the new batch, albeit "blonde" looking, still had burned flavors probably, I'm assuming, because the griddle wasn't cleaned between the burned batch and the new one, and this time the batter was raw in the middle. Retro ambiance was nice and the retro look and music were fun. Do better Mel's!

Sunset breakfast
Elaine T.

Decided to go back after many years and instantly wondered why I'd not been back! Nostalgic decor and working tableside juke boxes make it a fun place for locals and tourists. The food is classic diner, but made with good quality ingredients and by people who know how to consistently turn out the perfect doneness of eggs and meat. Service is top notch with people who have obviously have experience dealing with various groups of all ages. My favorites lately are the sunset breakfast, jalapeño burger, tuna melt, club sandwich and meatloaf. I found the fried chicken a bit too salty and not that crisp, but it was juicy. I love the coleslaw so much it's always my go to side. Portion sizes are huge so I always end up taking some food home. Bring quarters so you can play with the jukebox!

Teresa A.

I went to Mel's Drive-In in Santa Monica recently. I dined in. I had the Nutella French Toast along with a Thick Old-fashioned Strawberry Milkshake. I enjoyed the food and drink. The service was good.

Anthony K.

Mel's Drive In at the end of Route 66 is a classic blast from the past and not just because of the jukeboxes. Walking in, the open, airy space hits you first, whether you grab a counter seat or cozy up in a booth. Easy parking in the lot means you can roll in stress free, which is perfect because you're about to commit to the short rib sandwich. Juicy, cheesy, and packed with flavor. that's worth every bite. Nostalgia never tasted so good!

Smash Burger All American Meat Loaf
Kevin H.

Pretty cool classic American diner. There is a parking lot to the rear of the business. I'd recommend the smash burger or the meatloaf! Awesome waiter! Food came out relatively fast.

Celebratory Cake
Stephanie R.

Came in on Saturday for my brothers bday and the service was top tier . The host was very welcoming and helped me make his day very special , thank you! We also had great service from our server & Mr. GG . We def recommend this place for a yummy breakfast and clean atmosphere. Really appreciated the service .

Ahi tuna sandwich and coleslaw
Jeff H.

Today I took my wife and collage friend to lunch at Mels Drive In. It used to be called Penguins and the Penguin is still at the top of the sign. Since moving to the Los Angeles area in 1986 I never ate at Penguins or Mels and this is the first time. This place is another slice of the Americana Diner Scene. It is well furnished with cool, kitchy paraphernalia from days gone by. It is a really great place to eat. The food was really good. I had the pastrami sandwich with sweet potato fries and my wife had. The Aji tuna sandwich with a side of coleslaw. Both our sandwiches were very good and had an ample amount of filling. My sweet potato fries were a little bit on the soggy side and her coleslaw was not anything we were used to. The sandwiches were both really good. Service was with a smile and our server was extremely bubbly and nice. We arrived for lunch at about 2 PM and the restaurant was pretty quiet so we were able to talk and hear each other. I think the spot is good to have a casual meal at . I had heard that they only take cash but they actually took my credit card.

Killer huevos rancheros!!
Robert J.

Why go to those over priced modern cafes! Come here for a traditional diner experience. Fresh friendly and fantastic food. The music the old disco boxes and stools. Nothing like an 80s breakfast. Come and great real food Ba those Santa Monica phony glamorous over priced foods!

Lana Del Rey Milkshake

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Ask the Community - Mel's Drive-In

Can I order a breakfast menu even after 0pm?

I have no Idea as to the time you want specifically, but I believe you can order breakfast off the menu all day.

Is there a drive-through window?

No, there isn't. It's a sit down restaurant/diner.

Is there car hop service at this location?

No. Indoor seating only.

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Rae's Restaurant - 2 eggs 2 sausage, potatoes

Rae's Restaurant

3.9(799 reviews)
1.7 mi
•$$

The food isn't that good, but it kind of doesn't matter…read more Weird statement for a restaurant but hear me out. I live in Santa Monica which means I'm surrounded by overpriced trendy restaurants that capitalize on their location by overcharging on their menu. No qualms with that. That's what you have to expect when you live here. And then you have a spot like Rae's. Rae's is a classic diner vibes in every sense of the word. It almost looks like a place out of time with how retro it is, but it works. Can you expect the best meal of your life? Absolutely not. Can you expect an authentic diner experience with questionable but unlimited coffee and everything you expect a diner to have on the menu for under $15? Absolutely. Personally, I like that places like this still exist and there is no better cure for a hangover than a breakfast at a diner like Rae's.

Five years of coming here for convenience--not because the food is special (it isn't), but because…read moreit's close. What is special is the selective visibility: female customers are optional, male customers get eye contact and service. Today confirmed it. I asked a waitress--card terminal in hand--to let us pay. She suggested I navigate the crowded counter instead. Seconds later, my husband returned from the restroom and suddenly she reappeared, smiling, with takeout containers and the card terminal. Amazing how service improves with a Y chromosome present. I paid, tipped, and left unimpressed. Kindness shouldn't be gender-specific. If you're visiting Santa Monica looking for a warm American diner experience, I'd look elsewhere.

Photos
Rae's Restaurant
Rae's Restaurant - Chicken Fried Steak w/Biscuits and Gravy $13.17

Chicken Fried Steak w/Biscuits and Gravy $13.17

Rae's Restaurant - The outside

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The outside

Teddy's Cafe - Steak and eggs

Teddy's Cafe

4.1(552 reviews)
2.3 mi•Sawtelle
•$$

Casual attire, casual dining. I absolutely loved this…read moreplace! It brings you back in time to that inviting, comfortable, cozy feel. It was busy but the service is still fast (so be ready to order, etc., they dont play around! Lol) the staff are very quick and accommodating. Seems like this is a family owned business, loved everyone we interacted with. Warm & welcoming. Say "yes" to the coffee they serve when you first sit down. Brought me back the days with my grandparents and parents. It was good ole fashion coffee. Yumm. The food was delicious!! From now on, this will definitely be a regular "go to" spot when we are in the area. So happy we stumbled across this place, ended our Valentine's weekend so perfectly. Simple & Sweet.

I didn't realize that I had never posted a review of Teddy's! We don't go often, but we have been…read moregoing to Teddy's on occasion when we travel to the west side to go to Santa Monica College, for years. We've gone twice in the last few weeks, and it's as good as ever. Teddy's is an old school home style cafe/diner on Bundy and Pico. It actually is a community landmark where locals congregate and hang out. The other plus is that they are Spanish-language friendly. Ambiance is cozy, friendly and homey and service is great! Menu includes standard diner fare, comfort food. We've recently had the open faced hot turkey sandwich with gravy and mashed potatoes, which was good, and we enjoyed it. The next time JJ had a bowl of split pea soup, which was excellent! He also had the tuna sandwich, which he enjoyed as well, but said it was a little on the dry side. I ended up deciding on breakfast at 5 pm in the afternoon--- combo with pancakes, eggs over easy and sausages. It was so good! I thoroughly enjoyed it. The pancakes were steaming hot and fluffy and the sausages were really plump and juicy. Excellent. Recommended, if you're in the area---give Teddy's a try. Cash only, but there is an ATM inside. Parking lot always has plenty of parking.

Photos
Teddy's Cafe - Inside

Inside

Teddy's Cafe - Up close and personal with the inside of a piece of fried Fish

Up close and personal with the inside of a piece of fried Fish

Teddy's Cafe

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Snug Harbor - Burger and curly fries!

Snug Harbor

3.9(432 reviews)
1.4 mi
•$$

Do you ever sit in an environment where you wonder how they survived the existential threat of…read moreconvenience culture? One where it feels almost criminal to be on your phone and that a newspaper is the proper form of media consumption? This is exactly how I felt sitting in a barstool in Snug Harbor. I was back in LA for the Holidays, and was planning to meet with a friend for breakfast. He runs a restaurant and a coffee shop in Venice, so I trust him with my life when it comes to a breakfast recommendation. He texted me "I'm about to put you on this spot that will blow you away. I'm not even going to say anything else, just going to let its game do the talking..." followed by a google maps link to Snug Harbor in Santa Monica. When I arrived, I stopped and stared for a second. The sign has seemingly been untouched since this place opened in 1941, and the "N" in Snug Harbor was leaning noticeably more forward than the other letters. I opened the creaky old door to an environment that has somehow embalmed the 1940s-50s feel perfectly. A front dining area with faux letter booths and barstools, a vintage Coca Cola branded sign where you have to change each individual letter by hand, those thick ceramic coffee mugs where servers come and refill the black gold with a pot every few minutes, etc. I was GEEKED, and locked eyes with my buddy Nick who was sitting at one of the barstools. He must've seen the look in my eyes and said "How REAL is this spot!?" as we exchanged a clean dap. "The vibe is INSANE, but I promise the food is even better than you're expecting..." Inject it into my veins. I was so ready. As we caught up and went down the most random rabbit holes you could ever think of, I noticed a guy in his mid 30s sitting at the bar alone as he was demolishing a stack of buttermilk pancakes just for the love of the game. Whenever I see someone eating alone, I always think they have it all figured out. You can tell someone is secure in who they are as a human being if they are just enjoying a meal alone. As we waited for our food, Nick would comment on things that only someone running a restaurant would notice. "Look at how yellow those eggs are... The way this guy keeps his griddle spotless is next level... Look at how the 2 of them are handling these 7 tickets, they are moving fast but not rushed. They are in a genuine flow-state right now..." I love sharing a meal with someone who sees the world in a totally different way than I do. I learn so much in such a short period of time. Every time I go to a diner, I get the same simple breakfast of 2 eggs any style with bacon or sausage. My girlfriend makes fun of me saying "You always get something you could easily make at home," which is true. But to me, this plate shows the quality of a place and really just gets me back to homeostasis. My steaming plate was filled with very yellow eggs, breakfast potatoes, a whole real sausage that was cooked perfectly, and pre-buttered rye toast. Every bite had me cheesing from ear to ear. The ingredients are much higher quality than a typical diner, and the food is made with the care and love of a home cooked plate. Truly a phenomenal meal to pair with an ambiance that has been untouched by the river of time. I'm obsessed. Places like Snug Harbor have a special place in my soul. IG @johnny.novo Tiktok @jnov__ Substack @johnnynovo

The food was great, potatoes that felt like butter in my mouth…read more Some of the best damn rancheros I've ever had too They immediately sat us down and did everything they could to make me and my whole family comfortable. The ambience, is great. Has the whole rustic vibe going on but you can definitely tell they take care of the place. Definitely screams old-school diner but you know you're in Santa Monica. Love this place would definitely come again!

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Snug Harbor - Interior

Interior

Snug Harbor - Artichoke omelette

Artichoke omelette

Snug Harbor - The interior.

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The interior.

Cafe 50's - Mexican breakfast... need more spice and crunch lol

Cafe 50's

3.7(1.4k reviews)
2.7 mi•Sawtelle
•$$

Step into Cafe 50's Diner in West LA and you're instantly transported to a time when jukeboxes…read morehummed and milkshakes ruled. The vibe hooks you first, but it's the food that keeps you coming back. Service is friendly and fast, the kind that makes you feel like a regular even on your first visit. The menu leans into classic comfort, executed with care. The cinnamon banana French toast is rich, warm, and deeply flavorful, with just the right sweetness. The eggs Benedict come loaded with plenty of tasty sauce, indulgent without going overboard. Even the potato skins hit the mark, crisp, satisfying, and perfect for sharing. What really sets this place apart is the ambiance. It's fully committed to the 50s theme without slipping into cheesy territory. Every wall has something to catch your eye, from vintage movie posters to old magazines, giving you plenty to take in while you wait for your food. People might show up for the nostalgic setting, but they stay because the food genuinely delivers. It's a fun, easygoing spot that balances personality and quality in a way that feels rare these days. Portions are generous, prices fair, and the experience feels like a small escape from the usual rush of Los Angeles life.

Old school diner with 50s theme running thru its blood…read more Breakfast to-go before dropping the rent a car off and then to LAC Service on point. Busy spot.

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Cafe 50's - Decor

Decor

Cafe 50's - Did anyone say Hot Fudge Sundae?

Did anyone say Hot Fudge Sundae?

Cafe 50's - Mexican Breakfast

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Mexican Breakfast

Blue Daisy - French Fries

Blue Daisy

3.9(2.2k reviews)
0.3 mi
•$$

I recently rediscovered this place, and it's by far my favorite breakfast spot in Santa Monica…read more The wait staff is friendly and attentive, and there's both indoor and outdoor seating. The back patio is especially lovely; modern yet cozy, with thoughtful decor. The food blends California-fresh ingredients with Turkish and Middle Eastern flair. I especially enjoy the zucchini fritters and sausage patties, and the chicken mango salad is excellent as well. The drink menu is equally fun, with a unique variety of milks like pistachio and walnut, paired with creative beverage options. Weekdays are definitely easier since it's less crowded, but the food is consistently great no matter when you go.

Blue daisy exemplifies an aesthetic, overpriced, and mediocre at best brunch experience. I came on…read morea Sunday around 12 and was seated right away. I was seated outside with a view of a busy road intersection, which made for nice people watching. The menu didn't have any stand-out dishes that you couldn't find at any other brunch place and there were barely any savory vegetarian options. I went with the Napa scramble. The scramble itself was very heavy on the spinach and light on the sun-dried tomatoes, which made for a not great texture and duller flavor. I did appreciate the bites with the creamy, tangy goat cheese. The toast was just ok and the strawberry jam it came with was very runny. I did enjoy the fresh greens on the side that were lightly dressed.

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Blue Daisy
Blue Daisy - Sliders and fries

Sliders and fries

Blue Daisy - AVOCADO TOAST

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AVOCADO TOAST

Mel's Drive-In - diners - Updated May 2026

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