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    The Original Mels

    3.1 (229 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Order The Original Mels Takeout or Delivery

    The Original Mels Photos

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    THE ORIGINAL MELS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - The Original Mels

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    Reviews With Photos - The Original Mels

    Miriam G.

    Memorable Birthday Dinner at The Original Mel's! We went to The Original Mel's to celebrate my birthday, and it turned out to be such a lovely experience! The classic retro diner vibe really set the tone for a fun evening. I had the steak and shrimp combo with mashed potatoes and gravy--the steak was juicy, the shrimp were perfectly crispy, and the mashed potatoes with gravy were super comforting. My kid enjoyed a cheeseburger and fries served in an adorable car-shaped box, which made the meal even more fun for them. My friend ordered the chicken tenders, and I have to say--they were surprisingly good! Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and full of flavor. To top it all off, the staff surprised me with a birthday ice cream and even sang "Happy Birthday"! It was such a sweet and thoughtful gesture that made the dinner feel extra special. Great food, friendly service, and a fun atmosphere--I'd definitely come back

    French Dip
    Tanya M.

    Hubby and I met up here with our daughter and grand baby. It was a very hot day so the intense air conditioning was very much appreciated! As soon as we walked in, our grand baby greeted us from the table they got for us. Our waitress was there ready to take our drink orders. Hubby and I shared the French dip with sweet potato fries. Our daughter got the French dip with tater tots. The food came quickly and our waitress frequently checked in on us and refilled our drinks. It did get cold for hubby and I but thankfully we were able to pay and hang out front on the bench for a few before we all headed our separate ways. This is a good location close the mall and it has a lot of seating too. The bathroom was clean and well lit too.

    Chelsea E.

    Enjoyed my burger and fries. The patty had a nice flavor, the fries were seasoned and crispy. It gave me exactly what I wanted. Our server was great, too, very friendly.

    dining area
    Julianna D.

    Ive never been here before so i wasn't sure if id like it too much, BUT it was way better than i was expecting! the staff were so nice and sweet and attentive to us! the food was pretty good and the whole place looks really cool too! id recommend!

    Alejandra M.

    I like that this place has a variety of different dishes you can have. Whatever you're in the mood for, they most likely have to serve. Inside the restaurant is like a rewind to 80's with a groovy vibe. Service is pretty great and their food and milkshakes are delicious! I recently tried their club sandwich and it was super tasty! I ordered it for take out, but I want to come back to dine in soon.

    Well they aren't open at 0700. It's 7:05 and still no one comes to open the door. Lights and tv's are on but not a person in sight.

    Doesn't open at 0700 even though it's posted on the door and awning. All the tv's and light are on but not a person in sight. It's now 0706. Off to give my $$ to another business.

    Monica C.

    I very much loved this restaurant. I enjoy visiting diners for the atmosphere and nostalgia everywhere. Each table has its own juke box which I was bummed that I didn't have quarters or I would have played some tunes. I would have liked more access to it also. All the condiments covered the front of the machine. My spaghetti was so good and filling, in fact I had to take some home. The salads were large for just being a side item. My son only likes Kraft Mac and Cheese and most places don't serve it so this was a pleasant surprise and he just devoured it. In fact he asked for chicken tenders for his second meal after he finished the Mac. Our waitress Olivia was so super friendly and made sure we enjoyed our time. In fact, all the staff were so nice. I can't wait to try more items on the menu. I don't expect any less than we had this evening.

    Grilled tuna melt
    Michelle F.

    Our family loves Mel's in Fairfield because we always have a great experience. Olivia has been our waitress several times and she is amazing!! My dad loves the grilled tuna and I usually get the French dip & both are scrumptious. My husband enjoys the extra large breakfast portions. My mom always gets a fun sundae while playing Elvis songs on the jukebox.

    Meal specials Mon-Fri 2-6pm

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    2 months ago

    First time to this location; stopped in this morning for a quick breakfast. Sat at the counter; was quick and delcious.

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    7 months ago

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    7 months ago

    Food was great And service was excellent, if you want French toast this is the place to come, best French toast ever...

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    9 months ago

    Great food, great service, friendly people everywhere. Love their burgers, shakes, creamy soups with the cornbread can't be beat!

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - The Original Mels

    Mankas Grill

    Mankas Grill

    4.2
    (473 reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$$

    Mankas Grill is Fairfield gem nestled in Susuin Valley. With comfortable cozy indoor and outdoor…read moreseating. The service is excellent and the food is always fresh and delicious. Great place to go for lunch, dinner or just appetizers.

    My girl and her friends went to this place a few weeks ago and she said it was very good, so I…read morewanted to go try it out. We had reservations just because it was mothers day and we knew it would be busy and it was. We got there a little early and sat down right away. The place has plenty of outside and inside seating. When we sat down a waiter came right away and asked if we wanted water and told us our waiter would be right with us. Our waiter came shortly after that and asked what we wanted to drink. We ordered a bottle a sparkling wine. We ordered the poutine fries to start. The bottle of sparkling came out right away. The poutine came out not to long after that. The short rib was tender and juicy, the fries were cooked perfect, the cheese on it was melted, but it needed some gravy and more cheese. The original Canadian poutine has the gravy on it and the cheese curds which are so delicious. If this had the gravy on it, it would be a 10 in my book because of the short ribs and the fries were perfect. For our entrees we ordered the short rib eggs benedict and the chicken & waffles. The food came out pretty quick which was nice. The short rib eggs benedict was cooked perfect. Of course the short ribs was tender, and the hollandaise sauce was nice. The chicken and waffles was cooked perfect, the flavor on both was nice, the chicken was tender and juicy. The must have brined the chicken in order for it to be so tender and juicy, if not, they did a great job either way. The waffles were also cooked perfect and they had some type of flavor to it that you didn't even need syrup. I observed the staff working and everyone was working together and bringing stuff and picking up from all the tables. Kudos to the whole staff. Our waiter was also great so good job to him as well. We were too stuffed for dessert so next time we shall try some. The 5 was close to getting it but the poutine just needed some gravy in my opinion.

    Photos
    Indoors seating
    Indoors seating
    Shrimp cocktail
    Shrimp cocktail
    05/02/2026: Filet Mignon

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    05/02/2026: Filet Mignon
    Oaxaca cuisine

    Oaxaca cuisine

    4.5
    (76 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    Mi platillo favorito los chilaquiles están pero bien sabrosos se los recomiendo también los…read morebreakfast burritos de chorizo

    hands down my favorite spot for chilaquiles. First of all, the presentation is beautiful. It's not…read moreone of those places where everything is drowning in sauce and looks thrown together. The dish comes out fresh, vibrant, and perfectly plated with fresh cilantro and avocado. You can tell care goes into it. I always get the chicken chilaquiles, and the sauce is amazing. I honestly don't know what they put in it, but it's full of flavor and perfectly balanced. If you like it extra saucy, you can just ask and they'll accommodate. It never disappoints. I've tried the chorizo version before and it wasn't my favorite, so I happily went back to the chicken, which is consistently excellent. The café de olla is another highlight. I drink it black because it's that good. No cream, no sugar needed. It's rich and flavorful on its own. The avocado toast is also delicious and beautifully prepared. The space itself is clean, modern, and welcoming. The host has always been friendly and attentive. They even make their orange juice fresh, which adds to that fresh, quality feel. Even though I tell myself I'm going to try something new each visit, I end up ordering the chicken chilaquiles every single time. That says everything. For me, this is the top chilaquiles spot, no question.

    Photos
    Paintings
    Paintings
    Fried quesadillas- al pastor.
    Fried quesadillas- al pastor.
    Oaxaca cuisine

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    Texas Roadhouse

    Texas Roadhouse

    3.4
    (2.2k reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$

    I had a very unique and amazing experience while dining here. My party was seated outside on a day…read morethat turned out to be much hotter than I could handle. Without warning, my nose suddenly started bleeding, and I was caught completely off guard. Britannia, one of the managers on duty, immediately stepped in to help. She quickly moved our party inside, made sure I was okay, and handled the situation with kindness, professionalism, and genuine concern. What could have been a very uncomfortable and embarrassing experience was made so much better because of her quick response and compassion. Exceptional customer service like this is rare and deserves recognition. Britannia went above and beyond, and her care made a lasting impression on me and my family. Thank you for turning an unexpected situation into a positive experience. We will definitely be back! Thank you (I apologize if I have the name spelling wrong )

    My family and I recently visited Texas Roadhouse in Fairfield to celebrate my dad's birthday, and…read morewe had a great experience. A quick tip for first-time visitors: this location gets very busy, so arrive early if you can. They also have QR codes outside that allow you to join the waitlist before being seated. My wife and I used to be regulars at this location when we lived in Fairfield, but we had not been back in over 10 years. It was nice to see that despite all the challenges restaurants have faced over the years, this place is still thriving and as popular as ever. We were part of a group of 10, and everyone felt welcomed from the moment we arrived. The service was friendly, attentive, and fast. We were even greeted by the owner or manager, which added a nice personal touch. The food was excellent. I ordered the BBQ chicken breast and ribs combo with two sides, and at around $23, I thought it was a great value. Living in San Jose, I'm used to BBQ meals costing significantly more. Of course, the fresh rolls with the cinnamon butter were just as delicious as I remembered. No one in our group had any complaints. The food, atmosphere, reasonable prices, and outstanding service made for a memorable family celebration. We'll definitely be back the next time we're in Fairfield.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Ribeye topped with sautéed mushrooms and onions. Delicious. Ate this quicker than a jackrabbit in a field on fire. Yes sir!
    Ribeye topped with sautéed mushrooms and onions. Delicious. Ate this quicker than a jackrabbit in a field on fire. Yes sir!
    The Legend margarita

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    The Legend margarita
    Rustwater Kitchen & Taproom

    Rustwater Kitchen & Taproom

    4.6
    (477 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Casual dining

    Had an incredible experience at Rustwater Kitchen & Taproom in downtown Fairfield. From the moment…read moreI walked in, I was welcomed with genuine hospitality by Paul behind the bar. Super personable, great energy, and made the whole experience feel effortless. I ordered the peanut butter and jelly burger--smash-style patty with bacon, peanut butter, jelly, Tabasco, and pickles--and wow... one of the most unique and satisfying burgers I've had in a long time. It hits that perfect balance of savory, sweet, and nostalgic. I asked Paul what he would pair with it, and he absolutely nailed it. He introduced me to "Chimp My Ride" from Solano Brewing Company, a rich stout with chocolate and peanut butter notes that complemented the burger perfectly. It honestly brought back that childhood lunchbox feeling in the best way possible. On top of that, Chef Jamie personally brought out the food and took the time to connect--great conversation, great presence, and you can tell there's real pride behind what they're doing here. The vibe, the style, the food, and the people all come together here. Easy five stars. I'll definitely be back.

    Food's okay. Beer's okay. Nothing really stands out either way. What does stand out is the random…read morepolitical graffiti inside. I'm not coming to a bar to read someone's opinions on the wall--keep that to yourself. If you just want a casual drink, it'll do. But the whole vibe feels a little sloppy and unnecessary. Clean it up and focus on the food and beer instead.

    Photos
    Beer
    Beer
    Rustwater Kitchen & Taproom
    Bomb!

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    Bomb!

    The Original Mels - breakfast_brunch - Updated July 2026

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