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    The Original Mels

    4.4 (33 reviews)
    Open • 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 1 week ago

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    THE ORIGINAL MELS ATMOSPHERE

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    Priscilla F.

    From the moment you walk in, you feel like you're in the 50's. They have a jukebox and all the shakes you could even think to order. We didn't have one of those though. Maybe next time. We love coming to Mel's because their food is fantastic! It's grilled the perfection and they are so nice when you come up to order. My husband and I wound up coming in like 30 minutes before closing and they were just delightful in greeting us and making us feel welcomed even though we were in there so late. They even offered to stay open later for us to dine in. We didn't want to do that to them so we opted for takeaway. We both had their San Francisco sandwich with a fried egg (I got sweet potato fries and the hubby got tater tots). It was exactly what we needed after a long day of driving. That food was comforting beyond reason and we were two happy campers when we got back to the truck and enjoyed our meal. It's hands down my favorite sandwich, but we are going back again sometime to get those shakes!

    Jukebox
    Laura S.

    This place was so good! It was fun for the kids with the table side jukebox's, robot servers and it had lots of great decor to look at. The staff was Friendly and food was delicious. We had Philly cheese steak sandwich, chicken sandwich, kids breakfast, steak and eggs and the meatball sub! We left nothing on the plates! Thanks again!

    Crispy Chicken Sandwich w/ Fries
    Eric S.

    Mel's Diner and The Cheese Steak Shop have been open for about three weeks now. Every time I've gone in, I've been met with smiles and a happy greeting. I've had a few burgers, a chicken sandwich, and one of the cheese steaks. This Mel's is not like the regular sit-down and order Mel's. You order at the counter at this Mel's Diner, and then the server brings out your food when it's ready. The drinks are self-service, except for the sports drinks. The burgers are pretty decent; so far, they have been cooked to perfection. The chicken sandwich is probably one of the best I've had in a long time The fires and tots are good. Make sure you get some ranch dressing for your fires. You won't regret it. As for the cheesesteak, I have only tried the Pizza Steak. Different but good. It tasted just like a pizza sandwich. The Club Sandwich was fresh and big enough for a second meal. I want to try more of their cheesesteaks and maybe a milkshake soon. Till Next Time :)

    My awesome lunch today, on a holiday weekend great restaurant definitely five stars!!!!

    Everything, I'm trying to replenish protein. I'm trying to eat a good food. I'm literally at a truckstop in my opinion is truly the only actual restaurant in Dunningan, California is Mel's, food is awesome

    Express Cheeseburger
    Tish M.

    This is the "express cheese burger" under their Express Menu. This area is surrounded by drive thru, there's a Taco Bell, Starbucks, Wendy's, and BK and then there's this overpriced gem. Since I was in a hurry, I ordered off the express menu, advertised as being fast. Maybe it is if you're the only one here by unfortunately for me, I arrived after a group of 5-6 so the cook prioritized those regular meals, not on the express menu first so I got my meal an express 25 minutes later. For the price, I could have received more beef patty elsewhere. If you're in a hurry, you'll end up losing money waiting on them here. 2 stars for the curly fries and ranch.

    There were hardly any places to sit because they were all dirty like this
    Juan Cabrales

    Visited this establishment for the first time today and didn't really pay attention to the details of the dining area. I placed an order for the 10 oz ribeye breakfast with over easy eggs medium rare steak and subbed broccoli for the potatoes. As soon as I turned around to find a place to sit I realized the HUGE mistake I had just made. Every single booth in the entire restaurant was dirty and had heaps of dishes and trash on top. I scrounged around and found a table that I had to wipe down with napkins and water and took a seat. My order took about 15 minutes to come out and when it did, one glance and I noticed everything about it was wrong. I took it up to the register and mentioned it to the cashier (Faith). Faith showed 0 signs of emotion, no apologies, no empathy, not a single care in the world. Her reaction immediately changed my mind and instead of having it remade I asked for a refund. She then went to the back and struggled for 10-15 mins to be able to produce a receipt showing that the transaction was voided and the ticket amount had been refunded back to my card. Dirty restaurant, horrible customer service, and even worse food. 1/5 stars don't waste your time here

    Dunnigan CA
    Marie B.

    There I was, in the middle of what seemed like nowhere - Dunnigan, CA. One might stop on road trip. Two low tier motels, gas station, and a Mel's Diner! Never eaten at one but sure love history. Chose the Dbl Cheeseburger with Tater Tots to share. Glad I asked about burger size as I only ordered a dbl after gal told me the patties were just 2oz each. I loved that it wasn't the oversized burger too many places serve now. Maybe that's part of the plan... classic portions from the 50-60's era?! Loved the bun, which was toasted nicely and looked like it had an egg wash or something that made it almost translucent... really light but not at all soggy. Cheese melted beautifully and the burger was so Easy To Hold and Eat. We both thoroughly enjoyed the Pink Lemonade too; not sugary and Very Refreshing. Tots excellent and I saved 1/2 which were just fine nuked a bit the next morning. Prices a throwback to 50's also, low in comparison to anywhere I've eaten in a couple years. Highly recommended

    Peggy H.

    Super clean, excellent food, friendly staff I'll be sure to come back. It looks like stepping back in time with all the fun things hanging around.

    Inside dinning

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    5 months ago

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    18 days ago

    wonderful country potatoes- best i've had in years, crispy bacon, fluffy scrambled eggs

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    8 months ago

    Stopped in for a quick dinner. Great food and service. Clean and fast. Delicious chocolate Malt topped the visit

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    11 months ago

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    2 years ago

    Great food, great service. The staff are friendly and helpful. Tried many items on the menu, so far everything is good.

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Delicious food and wonderful service. Classic Mel's atmosphere as well, love the 50s design.

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    1 year ago

    Food was mediocre. Cashier was nice and friendly. Probably won't stop again. The cheese steaks were blah and not cheap.

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    The Cheese Steak Shop

    The Cheese Steak Shop

    3.9(344 reviews)
    43.1 mi
    •$$

    I am familiar with this chain but this was my first time at this location. I ordered a King of…read morePhilly which was supposedly 50% more meat and cheese. I appreciated that the food was made fresh but I don't believe that the quantity of meat was worth the price point when I compared the "king" to my friend's regular cheesesteak. I rather have had AYCE meal for $20 more. I was somewhat disappointed and can't say I would come back here again. The sandwich possessed a nice cheesy flavor but I felt that the actual meat lacked a bit of seasoning. When we went to the counter to order, there was no one there at 7 PM on a Sunday. We saw a couple of to go orders but it was pretty quiet. We could tell that the cashier taking our dine-in order at the counter was eagerly anticipating what tipping % we were going to chose which was a major turn-off to this whole experience. I can't say this was a solid experience because all of the tables needed to be wiped down or had some sort of grease or food on the tabletops. We bussed our own table and staff was okay with that.

    OK, being from the Bay Area I'm so glad they have a Cheese Steak shop near where I live now . I…read morewas craving the yummy cheese steak. Walking in everything looked clean and organized. I ordered the steak and mushrooms and I added the bell peppers and onions all the toppings. I love the bread is very delicious. The meat is just so flavorful you can see them cooking everything fresh. The person behind the counter was very nice and attentive. They have tasty cakes brand desserts in the front to go. Overall, it was a great experience and I got my fix. Can't wait to go back for some more yummy sandwiches.

    Photos
    The Cheese Steak Shop
    The Cheese Steak Shop - Spinach Mushroom Cheesesteak

    Spinach Mushroom Cheesesteak

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    Cheesesteak & Grill Stop - 7" sandwich absolutely bursting the borders of the soft perfect roll.

    Cheesesteak & Grill Stop

    4.6(342 reviews)
    49.2 mi
    •$$

    Philly great!…read more Cheesesteak & Grill Stop in Folsom is a hidden gem and a pleasant surprise. Don't judge a book by its cover--this quaint, mom-and-pop spot may have a simple, hole-in-the-wall feel, but the food speaks for itself. The regular Philly cheesesteak is an absolute standout. The beef is tender and cooked to order, the cheese is perfectly gooey, and the bread is toasted just right with a crispy exterior and a soft bite. The sandwich alone deserves 5 stars. Same with the CSG sandwich! The tables and chairs could use a little fresh TLC, but owning and running a small business is not easy, and I appreciate supporting local mom-and-pop shops. I would definitely return to try more cheesesteaks! Other: -$$ -bathroom inside -inside seating about 6 small tables -plenty of parking -service is friendly

    The Cheesesteak Shop we used to drive to in Roseville closed, to our surprise. So, we gave this…read morelittle spot in Folsom a try based on its reviews rating and I do see why. We'd tried others and they just didn't pass the tastebud vibe. This one did. Closer to us and fresh. Bread- warm, slight crisp on the outside, soft inside. Not squishy or saturated in oil. Steak- Flavored and soft, covered in melted cheese. It was yellow American and I do prefer white American for the Cheesesteak but not bad. Onions are grilled and chopped, I prefer them to be slightly bigger but that's just me being picky. Bell peppers- this particular sandwich doesn't come with peppers but I asked for them to be added as a preference. I do wish they were sliced and not chopped and that there were more, but again that is personal preference. If I was to have it my way I'd have the sweet pickled peppers instead. Fries- really good. They remind me of the Boardwalk, growing up. Fries are thick cut and very fresh. Hot to touch lets you know they were made once ordered. We would definitely come here again. Might bring my own peppers and ask for white American next time . The lady taking orders might be the owner. Very friendly.

    Photos
    Cheesesteak & Grill Stop - Drink and sauce bar

    Drink and sauce bar

    Cheesesteak & Grill Stop - Yes, I put ketchup on my sammies. No judging!

    Yes, I put ketchup on my sammies. No judging!

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    Cheesesteak and Grill Stop - at a glance (Oct 2024)

    Cheese Steak Restaurant - BOGO ALERT! 
Buy a 15" Large Cheesesteak w/ fries & drink 
 Get ANOTHER FREE! 
 8555 Elk Grove Blvd
 (916) 686-7454

    Cheese Steak Restaurant

    3.3(434 reviews)
    46.9 mi
    •$$

    My man and I stopped in on a late night while out of town. We were looking for Philly cheese steaks…read moreso hopped on yelp for help. We walked in and the place was a decent size and was very very clean. The bathroom was spotless, and there wasn't even a water steak on the tables they were so well maintained 4.8/5 The staff was incredibly friendly and the service was very quick. We had a few questions about the menu and the lady at the register was patient with us and thorough so we knew exactly what we were getting 4.5/5 Now for the food... we ordered twisted fries, a large drink, the classic Philly and a chicken hoagie. The phillys were delicious, but tasted like any other really great Philly, but these ones stand out a bit more because the bread on these babies is phenomenal 4.6/5. The fries were standard but well fried 3.5/5. The soda fountain offered flavors so we added vanilla to our shared dr. Pepper but it did nothing but make it taste more sugar and less vanilla 2.5/5. Now we HAVE to talk about the price... because, you maaaaay just have to clear out your savings account if you want a 15 inch... which is $31!!! The 7" was $16 and that's pretty pricey for a Philly! Pricing does bring this place down a bit for me... 2.5/5. Overall, I rate this establishment a 4/5

    Had the worst experience ordering takeaway from this place. Too many things this establishment got…read morewrong. Maybe the only thing they get right is that the steak tastes good. Ordered online using their website and apparently the coupon code they advertise on their website ($10 off if you spend $20) is no longer applicable. Thats really bothersome to keep the advertisement up if you do not honor it anymore. Wife went to pick up the sandwiches and luckily she checked the bag when she got to the car because they forgot one of our sandwiches. When she came home, I could not even tell the difference between her small sandwich and my medium sandwich that I paid 6 more dollars for. I just that was so bizarre. Their sandwiches are already very expensive so it was really disappointing to see that paying another 6 dollars barely gets me anything. Worst offender is the kids meal.. A $16 cheeseburger that was overcooked. It even looked greenish for some reason as if the burger was a vegetable. Very odd to charge the same amount of money for a kids meal and adult entree. On top of that, I dont care for soda or neither does my kid but they forgot to give us the drink that is part of the kids meal. I mean this place is just exhausting. Cant I just go to a restaurant and trust that they got my back? I give you money and you give me what I paid for. If only it was that simple.

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    Cheese Steak Restaurant - Interior

    Interior

    Cheese Steak Restaurant - Get $10 OFF Your Craving!
Spend $20 or more and enjoy $10 OFF your order at Cheese Steak Restaurant!

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    Cheesesteaks - Large cheesesteak

    Cheesesteaks

    4.2(170 reviews)
    32.7 mi•Natomas
    •$$

    This small local cheesesteak restaurant quickly became one of my go-to's and is now part of my…read moreregular food rotation. First off, the cheesesteaks are delicious. So far I've tried the supreme cheesesteak and the hot cheesesteak; both are really good and highly recommended. You can't go wrong with the top three, which I believe are the original, the hot, and the supreme. I think the highlight of these cheesesteaks is definitely the bread. It's soft but not too moist, providing the perfect texture. It's not hard at all, like a Banh Mi Vietnamese sandwich, but there is still a nice crust and crunch to the bread with a perfect taste. The pictures don't do it justice from the surface, but as you bite into it, they mix the melted cheese of your choice very well with the steak for a nice burst of flavor. Pair it with their amazing original French fries that remind me of some really good fast food fries, like from McDonald's or other local fry spots. The service is what you expect from a local small restaurant. They're nice, chill, and very simple. You order, and they call you when your order is done. They treat you well, especially if you ask for extra condiments such as mayo and ketchup, though ranch does cost extra. They serve it on a nice little metal tin platter with parchment paper, which makes it feel and taste great, especially when you eat it fresh inside the restaurant. To my surprise, the first few times we ordered from here, we got it to go, and it was still good by the time we brought it home. Regarding the size, I would say normally you can't go wrong with the standard size, which is the regular or the small. It is filling already. If you're extra hungry or just really feeling a cheesesteak, the large will definitely do you justice and make you feel satisfied. In my photos, I've attached pictures of the supreme and the hot cheesesteak. You can't go wrong with either, but my choice is definitely the hot. I've also tried their other items, such as the standard hot dog, which comes with the same bread. Based on other photos people have posted, it looks delicious as well. It is like a standard hot dog, but I'm telling you, the bread is something very unique about this restaurant. I think that's what makes you want to come back. The bread, plus the way they cook the cheesesteaks and everything put together, makes this place stand out. The vibe inside is very chill, serving more as a quick-eat area. It is a nice place to just get lunch or a quick dinner. It's pretty small, maybe fitting only 30 or so people, and they're located right next to the movie theater. I feel like this shop is a small hole-in-the-wall, and I highly recommend it. I don't think you would regret it.

    Walked in with my son after waiting in line for an hour to a screening that we didn't get in to. A…read morelittle disappointed but needed lunch. So I decided on the Supreme Cheesesteak, which had everything, mushrooms, onions, peppers, and I added wiz and white American. Also got the cheese dog for my son. We sat down for what felt like only 5 minutes and the food was ready. I was super impressed. Spoke with the owners daughter and she said her dad and mom have been making these for 20 years. I was eager to try. First impressions are OH MY GOD these are huge. Second impressions, OH MY GOD these are so freakin good. I've had cheesesteaks all across Sacramento and Roseville after a friend got me hooked on them. We went up down and around the county to try all of the highly rated restaurants. This one we never made it to. Out of all the places, this sits at the top of my list as number 1. They use real Amoroso rolls. They have cheese wiz that is thick and gooey. They have Cooper Sharp!!!! Other places we tried felt like imitation at best. Cheesesteaks felt like an original Philly shop. Why was it good? Beef was chopped perfectly about 1/4 inch pieces. The meat was juicy AND seasoned to complement the salty cheeses. The roll was toasted just a bit to give the sandwich a firm base because there was so much juice from the beef. But it never once was hard to bite into and it never disintegrated like other places. Also...the cheese wiz didn't just melt away to nothingness. It was thick enough to coat the meat and stay gooey. You could tell the skill and knowledge of the mom and dad making these sandwiches. The hotdog was massive! It was a footlong all beef dog in a toasted bun. The cheese wiz on top was a perfect compliment. The fries were crunchy and fluffy. If McD fries are top notch, these topped McD fries. I've never been more impressed or surprised by a place as I was here. If I could give them a Michelin star, I would. So good and satisfying.

    Photos
    Cheesesteaks - Inside counter

    Inside counter

    Cheesesteaks - Large steak supreme with provolone and extra meat, and side of fries

    Large steak supreme with provolone and extra meat, and side of fries

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    Original plain Dog + French Fries

    The Original Mels - burgers - Updated October 2026

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