The Original Mels

This place was a good, basic lunch spot on the way to Apple Hill. I had googled where to go for…read morelight lunch possibilities, and I'm glad we chose this place. The setting is a family friendly American comfort food type place. Plenty of breakfast options, sandwiches, burgers, and heartier dinner platters. I didn't know what to get....the open faced turkey sandwich sounded delicious, but might have been heavy for a hot afternoon, so I ordered a simple cheese omelette. It wasn't overdone, and had a good amount of cheese. The hash browns were near perfect... crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. My sister, a French dip connoisseur, loved her sandwich, and wishes she lived here so she could take it home. High compliments from her. Prices were reasonable, too, so for a quick bite much better than fast food, I would recommend.

Every time my dad and I drove to Tahoe, we had a tradition. We'd stop at Buttercup Pantry for one…read moreof their delicious sandwiches and a slice of pie before continuing our trip. Those stops became part of the journey. Today I stopped again. I skipped the pie this time, but ordered the Club sandwich. It was just as fresh and satisfying as I remembered. The turkey was tender, the ham and bacon were flavorful, the vegetables were crisp, and the bread was soft and fresh. With every bite, I found myself thinking about my dad. Sometimes a restaurant is more than just a place to eat. It's where memories are made and revisited years later. Thank you, Buttercup Pantry, for keeping this tradition alive. I'll definitely be back... and next time, I'll probably have the pie.

Old phone booth

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Inside

Franny's Farm Table

The food was absolutely delicioua! but the service was whack as f***, rude, inattentive and…read moredisrespectful and no hospitality and bad attitudes and unproffesional! Props to the cooks, outstanding performance! best food I've eaten in placerville! thank you and the cooks are the only reason why we will be back

Yay! Our new favorite lunch place on Main Street!…read more We just stopped by last weekend, we've been wanting to try this place out but it just hadn't happened.... Last Monday we decided to have lunch there, one of our regular places is closed Mondays and this place was open so we checked it out...and we're SO SO glad we did! Atmosphere was nice and server was very friendly from the moment we walked in. First thing I noticed; $5 mimosas!! I asked if they did anything other than orange juice and yes, they had several other options so I had the cranberry version. Delicious! I went with their mac and cheese, my partner got the basic hamburger. Mac and Cheese -- definitely very bacon forward, much more than I prefer. That being said, I still liked it, it also had sour cream and green onion on top. Bacon lovers will LOOOVE this version, there is LOTS of it and every bite you can taste it. Normally I prefer my mac & cheese with no bacon or just a bit here and there, I prefer to taste more of the cheeses.....again, it still tasted good, its a good serving and I ate half and had enough to save for the next day at work. Creamy and well made, again I just prefer to taste more cheese than bacon. I wouldn't order this again but like I said, a bacon lover will LOVE this version. Now, my partner's burger was Incredible. We are PICKY with our burgers, and we both thought this one was fantastic. Big, and great ratio to the bun. He ordered it medium and asked for "a little char" and they made it perfectly. I took a bite and yeah, I'd order that for sure. The fries were great, too. Overall we were super happy with our lunch, I thought it was priced fairly as well. We will definitely be back!!

Bacon & Blue Burger

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Sweetie Pie's

3.9(976 reviews)

0.4 mi

Sweetie Pie's was a great find during our visit to Placerville. We were looking for a breakfast…read morespot to kick off the day, and it definitely didn't disappoint. The place has a unique, homey charm that makes you feel comfortable right away. We did have to wait a bit on a Sunday morning. A nice touch is that coffee is self-serve inside, which adds to the relaxed atmosphere. Wanting to try something different, I ordered the Chile Relleno Casserole. I'd never had anything like it for breakfast. It had a light, fluffy egg-based texture with chiles throughout, making for a really interesting and tasty dish. Overall, it was a great way to start our Placerville adventure, and I'd happily stop by again.

My first review was flagged and taken down, so here is number 2…read more.. We were seated at a tiny table right by a high-traffic doorway. We ordered coffee, a mimosa, pancakes, eggs, bacon, avocado toast, and hash browns. Then, our server vanished into thin air for a full 45 minutes. We watched the entire dining room empty, reset, and seat new guests. People who sat down long after us finished their meals and paid their checks before our food even touched the table. From what we can tell, our server went on a break and forgot to submit our order to the kitchen. When we tried to flag down other staff, they aggressively avoided eye contact. I was ready to shout, "Hey Sweetie, we just want our overpriced breakfast!" When the food finally arrived, it was lukewarm and wrong. The toast could have doubled as a brick. The hash browns were a culinary enigma--simultaneously burnt to a crisp and cold/raw in the center (I still can't fathom how that physics experiment works). Still no server in sight! When she finally ambled back, she was completely oblivious to the disaster, acting as if she had just delivered a Michelin-star dining experience. I eat out at least five times a week, and in my entire life, I have never left without tipping. Today was an absolute first. Sweetie Pie's, we won't be back. Not that anyone there will notice!

Beautiful Patio View

Sourdough Texas toast style!

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H.M.C. Omelette. (Ham mushroom and cheese) and hashbrowns.

Old Town Grill

4.6(444 reviews)

0.2 mi

Not too far from Apple Hill, we LOVED our first time visit here! Chef John bought the Old Town…read moreGrill 25 years ago, but has been a Chef for over 50 YEARS!!! WOW! NEVER have I met a more ENTHUSIASTIC Chef, that radiates JOY in what he is doing! :) He made my burger JUST the way I wanted it (delicious too) and my husband RAVED about his flavorful stuffed lamb burger! Our sides were grilled vegetables, fries and the sweet potato dollops. YUM-YUM! It's located in Old Town P-ville, in an 'Old West' turn-of-the-century building, so expect a quirky interior. To me it's part of the charm! And the mascot of the place is a 35 year-old parrot named Sierra, who will squawk a welcome to you! This place is worth a visit!

Great spot to eat when coming back down the hill from Apple Hill. Had a great experience at Old…read moreTown Grill! The staff were incredibly nice, friendly, and welcoming, which made the visit even better. The food was delicious and clearly made with care. The shaved tri-tip sandwich was absolutely delicious--tender, flavorful Tri tip and served inside a fresh sourdough roll smothered in a delicious beef gravy sauce that really took this sandwich to the next level. The chicken sandwich was also excellent, fresh and packed with great flavor. Great food, wonderful service, and a welcoming atmosphere. Definitely a place I'd recommend and will be coming back to!

Dining area

Chicken Dijon Sandwich

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Sierra

The Independent Restaurant and Bar

4.1(709 reviews)

0.5 mi

Everything was so amazing we dove in before photos-that's how good the food looked, and it didn't…read morelet us down on taste. We got the Tempura Mexican Prawns at the recommendation of our server Ryan-who was awesome by btw! We both shared the crusted ahi and the large filet minion. The filet was a perfect medium rare and the ahi was so delicious and just a touch of sear so you still got that sushi grade piece of fish shining on the plate. The sides were delicious and the cocktails were amazing. Try their dirty martini with their homemade bring and if feeling adventurous, go for the Gran Picard or Clean Getaway. We sat on their very friendly to dog patio and even in the height of summer we were so comfortable. The staff is so attentive and makes sure you are having an incredible experience. If you are looking for a great meal and want to bring your fur baby, don't sleep on the Independent Restaurant!

The food is very good. But consistency and quality control is key to high end dining…read more The key to good service is 1. Offering timely and attentive service and 2. Making sure that issues are handled. The restaurant was busy and the drinks took about 20 minutes to come out. When we ordered we were informed that the prime rib special was sold out. Ok. I get it. So the $66 dollar Rib Eye over the $51 Prime Rib. But then the steaks came out. The others in our group got perfectly cooked rib eyes that were 40-60% cap. They were cooked perfectly to temp. My steak was much smaller, thicker, and entirely lacked the cap. So it was just a NY Strip. The temperature was way over. I was never asked if the dish was ok. Our server was busy and never returned to check on us. The busser came by and asked very quickly if everything was "still" ok. We ate our meal while it was still warm. The busser returned and started to clear the plates, including taking a side dish before we were done with it. When I informed the server of my issue he didn't seem to agree with me. He claimed he came and asked us. Later the manager came and told me he took 20% off the steak. $52 for an overcooked 14 oz NY Steak isn't terrible, but that isn't what I was looking for.

August 28, 2024 - Comfortable Interior

Autumn squash soup , truffle Mac and cheese , endless thyme drink

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The best old fashioned you are going to get in Placerville

Shoestring

4.3(216 reviews)

1.2 mi

Been coming here since I was a kid. 28 now. Came in with my grandma today. I was recommended to…read moreorder the special by the chef. It was a jalapeño burger and I got it with a chocolate shake. 10/10 I havent been back in a while but its the best service and food I've seen this place. And Ive always loved coming here

Shoestring in Placerville is a solid stop on the way home. The burgers and hot dogs hit the spot,…read moreespecially after a long day out, and the whole place has that easy, no-frills roadside charm. It's not trying to be anything fancy, which honestly works in its favor. Great spot to refuel before heading back down the hill.

Small covered patio

Double cheeseburger with pastrami

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Menu 5/25/2024

Greenhouse Cafe

4.3(129 reviews)

1.7 mi

Lovely setting and I'm addicted to the Pesto Panini. The yard reminds me of coffee houses in…read moredowntown (midtown to youngsters) that I frequented in my early 20s.

Food is great and service is always on point! We Know they can get busy and dont mind waiting…read more Portion sizes are great as well! Other places do not give you the amount this cafe does and for the price it is unmatched, even side portions are more than what we have seen at other cafes! Will continue to come back! Great place

Eggs Benedict w/ hollandaise sauce requested on the side. The sauce was delicious, I can just straight up drink that stuff.

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Inside restaurant

Brick's

4.1(750 reviews)

0.2 mi

This restaurant is a gem hidden in downtown placerville. Food is really good. Good portions, good…read morepresentation, good quality. I ordered sparkling water and a Guinness to drink. To eat I ordered the bang bang burger, it comes with beef, shrimps and fries, it was delicious. The service was amazing our waitress was super friendly, welcoming and helpful. She was always smiling, I forgot her name but she was super nice. Oh I almost forget it, if you like desserts you should order the white chocolate mousse with coconut and port, they serve it in a glass of champagne. This sweet treat will change your day.

My family and I stopped by Placerville on our way home from Reno. Being that we needed to refuel…read moreour bodies with nourishments, Brick's seemed like a really promising joint. Parking was a headache. Especially factoring in our visit happening on Labor Day weekend, there was a ton of foot traffic. Designated parking spots were all filled and the parking garage further down was just as packed. It took many attempts before we were able to locate someone leaving the premises. The check in and wait for a table was just as bad in the eatery. I used the time to look over the menu. Here you will find classic American comfort foods and fancier items with an elevated twist. There is essentially something for everyone. Lunch for our party: *BALSAMIC BRUSSELS SPROUTS *MIXED GREENS SALAD WITH BLACKENED SALMON *GRILLED LAMB CHOPS *KID'S CHICKEN TENDERS WITH VEGGIES Food was pretty good. The lamb chops were exceptional and although the blackened salmon didn't taste or look so delicious, I appreciated it not being overcooked. The chicken tenders were a nice golden brown and was not over battered and the medley of fresh veggies were really good. The balsamic brussels were good in size but the flavoring wasn't the best. All in all, the food was enjoyed. The one mishap that stood out was with Tessa H. forgetting my toddler's drink. We were half way through our meal when I realized nothing had been brought out to us even after the drink order had been taken. We flagged her down and let her know but ended up having to remind her 2 additional times before receiving the drink. At that point, the meal was already over. 4 stars overall but 1 star deducted because of the soda situation.

Cool paintings in here

Grilled Lamb Chop

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Delicious bloody mary

The Burger Den

5.0(4 reviews)

1.5 mi

Loved the child's burger. A lot bigger than you expected. It's like a simple smash burger with…read morecheese.

This burger was so good and was huge. Thumbs up, new favorite burger place for sure. Yah it's a…read moreghost kitchen but who cares great food.

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Tom’s Burger & Frosty

Great burger and ice cream place. Service is friendly. Ambiance is ok. But the last few times my…read moreburger bun was completely flattened and the burger was way overcooked. Hit and miss sometimes.

I was craving a burger, I don't eat them often and stumbled upon this place on DoorDash. The burger…read morewas delicious. I got the American burger and a chocolate banana shake. Soooo good. Tasted like a real burger off the grill and perfectly toasted bun. Like a mom and Pop shop Burger, which are the best! I will definitely be back!

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New Menu

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Chili cheese fries

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43 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Barbie V.

13 years ago

Mel's is not what it used to be. But we enjoy the place here in Placerville. It used to be a great welcoming place (busy or not) but we did appreciate the prompt service by the kitchen guys. Even though the ladies were not always the most friendliest there could have been. - As Original Mel's was a pinacle of customer service. We really look forward to going there for a milkshake (Malt) shake as a family. We went to Mel's today on main street and with seated quite quickly. But kinda felt rushed to be seated , served and waited on. The guys at Mels were some pretty clean cut guys and we appreciated the kind service. but some how not as friendly as it used to be long ago. read more

Samantha S.

4 years ago

Shea Shanahan, which I believe was the manager, was our server. She smelled like alcohol as soon as she greeted us. It literally made me sick. She forgot about us after she took our drink orders so we never even got the chance to order our food... But that was okay because I was already nauseous from smelling alcohol all over our server. When I went outside to my car to get my phone, I saw our server, Shea, chugging vodka out of a Smirnoff bottle. She did not see me as my windows were tinted. If you're going to chug vodka at your own job, at least do it in the bathroom...or not at all??? We left and will not be returning because of what I witnessed. read more

J P.

16 years ago

Great service starts at the door - you are greeted with a smile and seated promptly. The old time 50's diner theme takes you back in time right down to the tableside juke box loaded with all of your favorite oldies. Our server was friendly and the food was delicious - just what the doctor ordered after a late night on the town! The Mel's milkshake was the perfect complement to the traditional diner fare. The staff has a can-do attitude and everyone pitches in to ensure your dining experience exceeds expectations. It is without hesitation that I recommend Mel's Drive-In read more

Jeri K.

6 years ago

We went to Mel's in Placerville, on 7/1/20 and we were told we MUST have masks on when entering, EVEN THOUGH we are disabled and therefore exempt per Gov. Newsom's order. So we went back to our car and found a package of masks. As we walked back in, a group of 5 people walked out and not a mask in sight. Within 5 minutes after being seated my husband spotted another unmasked person hanging around the cash register. A 'treat' to eat out turned into an upsetting encounter because I have been discriminated against by this establishment. And RUDELY so. I will not ever return to that Mel's. read more

Joseph A.

13 years ago

I really remember Mel's as very very friendly . I used to go there with my family when I was a kid. But somehow either people got more rude over time or they seemed too rushed to care about service. FIRST THING.. They need to smile more in that place. The only people smiling were the cooks at times. - Good clean cut bunch of folks there. For a great classic icon like MELS they really need to take a step back and care about the service (the food was not great) - but the price was pretty normal for a tourist town like Placerville. NO WIFI service there. read more

Renee H.

17 years ago

Two Words - CHEESE FRIES! Oh my Gawd, they are delicious! I just recently had a baby and when I was pregnant, Mel's Cheese Fries was my obsession! They are sooooo good! And Mel's makes their own Ranch dressing - from scratch! It's awesome! Granted, I don't eat there as much as I did when I was pregnant (I was a permanent fixture. The staff knew my name and would take such good care of me.) but whenever I can, I will stop in with my new family and ALWAYS get the cheese fries. I highly recommend. YUMMY! read more

Matt S.

17 years ago

I visited this place on my way down from a long day on the lake in taheo. They looked really busy and I didn't want to stop because I thought it would take a long time and we'd have to wait for a table. We got sat right away at the bar. The server was very friendly and also hot! She took our order and 10 minutes later we had our food. we ordered a big bopper, VIP and a Cobb salad.. The food was really food. Hot, fresh, and it the spot. A totally good exerience and I would recommend read more

Alexis P.

234

8 years ago

Mel's Diner has phenomenal food, I love their breakfast selection! I have been to a few locations, but this one is my new favorite! I went in the evening and was greeted with great customer service from the night staff. Our food was fresh, drinks always refilled, and our waitress, Jackie, was amazing, very friendly! I would definitely recommend this place and Jackie to other customers! read more

Ming Y.

13 years ago

Have gone here for breakfast on many occasions. I love the small town atmosphere and the food is always great. The only reason why I am not giving 5 stars is due to the lack of parking. If you go over the weekend it will be often difficult to find a place to park close by which is not too bad except when its raining. read more

Marie C.

11 years ago

We came here for dinner it was friendly service. The food we ordered came quickly. The taste was superb. I love this place we come here more often now and wish I had stopped in earlier I have been missing out on clean delicious food and a wonderful atmosphere. Five stars read more

Deborah S.

13 years ago

Awesome food and good service. Come back at least once a month if not more!! We ordered the steak and eggs special and the kids enjoyed the fish and chips. They weren't too greasy and the steak was great. Next time I'll have to go with the sampler. read more

Ema T.

6 years ago

Mels is always my friends and I's go to spot! It's a great restaurant and the servers there are always so nice and helpful but one server that always stand out is Xander! He's great at his job and never fails to make his costumers happy! read more

Hayden P.

15 years ago

Love Mels. Their malts are to die for. I love the service of the restaraunt and the staff is splendiful. I have been going there for a while and I will always continue to go. Thank you Mels staff for making every visit a good one. read more

sam g.

8 years ago

Great Location, my family and I love going to Mels on our way to Tahoe, it's our to go place every time. Service and food is always good. Everyone is super friendly. My kids love the cars the kids meal come in. Until next time Mels read more

TheWeirdGirl O.

6 years ago

I've been going to Mels for years and it's never let me down! All of their servers are wonderful, including Xander. He is never anything short of friendly and constantly makes everyone at the table laugh. Great service!! read more

Kathy H.

7 years ago

My husband and I love to have Katelyn as our server always a pleasure to talk to and help us get a bang for our buck! Whether it's customizing our food or finding the best deal she's patient and considerate to everyone. read more

A D.

17 years ago

This mels is terrible! The quality of food is not very good and the service....oh the service is the reason I'll never go back. I've had more than one experience, but the last time, was enough for me. read more

Angelo M.

7 years ago

I had the best experience, this is by far the best Mel's I've ever eaten at. The service was amazing! My server was hulises, or huli. He was so sweet and adorable, I'll definitely be coming back! read more

lisa b.

8 years ago

The pancakes are the BOMB..........no other way to describe them, I grave them all the time, thin, buttery melts in your mouth. Thank You for a great breakfast during lunch time, see you soon read more

Elizabeth K.

7 years ago

Katelyn is the most attentive server at Mel's, she's a wonderful person to chat with and to try her best to make sure you have a great price and a wonderful experience! Keep it up! read more

The Original Mels - tradamerican - Updated October 2026

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total hole-in-the-wall. Rundown on the outside and unassuming inside. It looks like a…read morehusband-and-wife team: he serves, she cooks. The breakfast menu is huge with many combinations and ability to order each side separately they have all the classics in addition to dishes like loco moco and Mexican-style breakfast dishes. Their "pre spiced hot meat" is a non-greasy chorizo type of meat that has a fantastic flavor, inconsistency. My tablemates got the special scramble with the pre-spiced meat, ham, sausage and bacon, mushrooms, cheese and more and absolutely loved it. I ordered the Tijuana Tortilla with eggs over-easy it came with a few country potatoes, and was absolutely delicious. The coffee was bold and tasty and came refill(s?). Seems like we were one of the of only non-local-repeat-customers. The way the waiter was able to handle all of the tables and talk to all the locals and fill the coffee and get the orders to his partner without a hitch. I would definitely come back here

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This place is awesome!! We split a mimosa flight and picked out the sunset, blackberry mint, apple…read morepie, and cranberry orange flavors. All delicious but the apple pie was our favorite! Both of our omelettes were delicious as well but I kept stealing bites of my boyfriend's, the carnitas and green chili sauce was such a unique combo!

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