Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Merl's Diner

    4.8 (19 reviews)
    ModerateAmerican, Diners, Seafood
    Closed Closed
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Merl's Diner Takeout or Delivery

    Merl's Diner Photos

    Business Info

    MERL'S DINER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    More like Merl's Diner

    Recommended Reviews - Merl'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

    3 filet Catfish plate.

    Merl's was a good adventure. It was our first time visiting. I enjoyed my catfish, and my wife enjoyed her shrimp. The Hushpuppies were a little sweeter than I prefer, but they were cooked perfectly (like only a master fry cook can deliver. Merl knew everyone there, and before we left, she knew me too. The next time we come, I don't expect to be greeted by name, but I will be recognized as a repeat customer. It's not fancy, and I doubt I'll ever be in town for the week day $14.00 lunch buffet, but I'll bet a seat is tough to get.

    a street sign for alabama

    Miss Merl greeted us at the register where we ordered two catfish fillet lunches one with slaw, one with slaw & fries. Another option was a multi-item buffet for $14. (Fried chicken, roast pork, other mains & sides.) It was the perfect spot for our drive from Auburn to ATL.

    Menu

    See all

    29 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    The food is delicious. The service is good. The hush puppies are light and fluffy. The catfish is amazing.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Greg H.
    0
    14
    12

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rob E.
    174
    19
    6

    2 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

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Haven't had a good home made burger like they served in a long time ...I'm definitely going back when I'm in the area

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tim H.
    0
    42
    8

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Matt H.
    33
    53
    15

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Deep South Dishes ! Tender baskets, Fish Plates, Shrimp, Specials etc. . . My go-to for takeout !

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Merl's Diner

    Review Highlights - Merl's Diner

    The catfish, real white meat chicken strips, and shrimp are really good!

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Captain's at Highlands

    Captain's at Highlands

    (16 reviews)

    I came tonight with a group of 15. There were a few other large groups there tonight. I had the…read morefried shrimp with coleslaw, hush puppies, roasted corn medley, and a side salad. The salad was mixed field greens with tomato and cucumber. It was a nice size and served in a bowl. The balsamic dressing was nothing special, but it was good. The fried shrimp were very good. I could not finish them, but they were very good. The coleslaw was very good. It did not have sugar in it. The roasted corn medley was also very nice. The hush puppies were hot and fresh. I did not taste the cake or any of the food in the pictures, but the others in my party were very complementary of their dishes. We ate on the open air deck part of the restaurant. The weather was perfect and the ambiance was lovely. The service was friendly and attentive. The only downside to the service was not the server's fault. She was asked by a few in our party how spicy a dish was or other details about various menu items. She was honest in her reply that she had never eaten the dishes. She was obviously new, but she should have been more familiar with the menu items. Again this was not her fault. Management trains or doesn't train their servers. All and all, I would visit this venue again.

    What a treasure, we found tonight. We will be back and take others with us…read more Steam shrimp 4.8 * Fried shrimp 5* Pork chop 5*++ Marissa 4.8*. I'll ask for her every time. Being on the lake is relaxing!! Matt has done it right!!!

    Cart Barn Grille - Burger and fries $10.95

    Cart Barn Grille

    (111 reviews)

    $$

    Service was amazing. My grilled chicken sandwich was good. The fries? Terrible…read more That menu has A LOT of fish options.

    I read some good reviews and decided to try this place. I walked in and asked for tuna, but they…read morewere out. They did not offer me a menu so I asked if they had sea bass, and they said, yes. I said "I would like that to go. What are my side options?" They said, "You don't really get options. It just comes with certain things. You get mashed potatoes, asparagus, and you get to pick what kind of salad dressing you want." I chose blue cheese. They said it would be a fifteen minute wait for my meal, and I asked for a cocktail menu. They said they don't serve cocktails. They did not ask me if I wanted a water. Sea bass is supposed to be delicate, juicy and tender with a bounce back when you poke it. It is crispy on the outside and tender in the middle. I order it every time I go to bonefish grill, and that's what I expected when I came here. It was grossly disappointing. I honestly don't even think that fish they gave me was sea bass. It was much too thin. It was soaked in an overwhelming amount of lemon. The mashed potatoes and greens tasted like lemon. It was like my entire meal had been marinated in lemon juice all day. Yuck. There was no sweetness at all. It was just bitter like strsight lemon. This "meal" cost me $42. I was back at my hotel before I realized how bad it was. Going out in the rain to return it was not an option. I Very rarely give bad reviews. This is the only one star review I think I've ever given. This food was truly atrocious.

    Merl's Diner - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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