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    The Original Mels

    3.2 (276 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order The Original Mels Takeout or Delivery

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    THE ORIGINAL MELS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Menu
    Sarah-Lorraine K.

    WHY WE WENT HERE: - dinner; the search continues for the best chili cheese fries THE LOOK (FROM THE OUTSIDE): - located in a plaza off Arena Blvd and Truxel Blvd - located in the same plaza as Massage Envy THE LOOK (FROM THE INSIDE): - old school diner; the decor and music made me think of the movie Grease THE MENU: - three egg omelettes - Mels skillets - sides - specialty breakfast platters - breakfast favorites - beverages - eggs by the #s - dessert - Mels baskets - shareables - salads, soup & chili - chicken & veggie burgers - blue plate dinners - Mels fries - specialty sandwiches - shakes & malts - sundaes WHAT WE ORDERED: - Side Salad - Chili Melfries upgrade to Curly Melfries - Mels Original Cheese Steak Sandwich - Mel's Classic Sampler THE TASTE: - first off, the portions for everything were HUGE; definitely shareable - Side Salad - refreshing, crunchy - Chili Melfries upgrade to Curly Melfries - good! - Mels Original Cheese Steak Sandwich - too spicy for me, but the fiance thought it was fair, not bad, but not great - Mel's Classic Sampler - comforting CUSTOMER SERVICE: - warm and welcoming - attentive but not overbearing

    Country Skillet
    Michelle L.

    Mel's finally reopened in September 2024, after repairs from their May 2023 attic fire. Very clean, with American Graffiti decor and color scheme, and bright lighting. Dayna was our evening server, super nice! There were maybe two other tables with folks dining in. Otherwise not packed, and kinda slow business (so much so that they sometimes close early). Breakfast all day! I had the 2+2 which was two pancakes, 2 eggs (I chose scrambled), and either bacon or sausage (I got applewood smoked bacon). Shared the shareable zesty wings basket, with sauce on the side (buffalo, ranch, and/or BBQ), and fries. My boo got the country skillet with hashbrowns rather than country potatoes, sausage, bacon, and gravy, choice of bread, and spread for toast. We were seated right away, and iced water and straws were provided. The wings came out first, then the breakfast items. We did not avail ourselves of the 25-cents-each jukebox selection at the table/booth, but the music playing did fit the classic diner vibe.

    Newly renovated. Food was good. Nice ambiance, family friendly. Lots of parking .
    Myra B.

    Good food. Newly renovated. Employees are nice. Will probably try this place again. You have to take bill to counter in front to pay.

    Just an example
    Stephanie G.

    Read reviews ahead of me - all accurate. I honestly had to get up to ask for coffee because I only received one and was choking on the microwave heated biscuit and gravy :( I seen them do it. Then got rotten avocados , every plate minutes apart but by then they are cold. I can go on and on but you get the point. Not a good Christmas breakfast; quite embarrassed to have brought my mom to eat burnt bacon

    California omelette
    Mari S.

    Went in for breakfast and thought it would be better now that this location had reopened after a long remodel but service was not as great as before. Waiter did not come to check on us and after he brought the first plate it took about 10 minutes for second plate to arrive. Ordered the California omelette, the Two plus two and zesty chicken wings. The wings are still great tasting like before. They have the perfect amount of zesty spice flavor In the batter. I prefer them with no sauce but they also taste great with ranch dressing. The 2+2 was not that great, the bacon & eggs were overcooked. I ordered over medium eggs and yolks were completely cooked. The pancakes I only took one bite of because they were too dark and looked as if they had left them on the grill, a little too long. They were very rough and hard to cut through. The California omelette was good a portion size but the hash browns served with them were dry and no flavor. Somewhat tasted like they were frozen and reheated. I more than likely would only visit again for the wings. Those have always been one of my favorites. The inside of restaurant was clean and well kept up.

    Front Entrance
    Anne N James N.

    So happy to finally check out this Mel's Diner after being closed for construction upgrades! I love how the hostess asked for our drink order after she sat us down. It was a hot day and we were thirsty! Next Jessica took care of us as we ordered our delicious Mel's Sampler (chicken strips, buffalo wings, beer battered onion rings, fries, mozzarella sticks, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing and marinara dipping sauce), Philly cheesesteak sandwich, corned beef and hash, and kid's grilled cheese sandwich. Delicious food, great hospitality, reasonable prices, clean restaurant and restrooms, love the music from back in the day and cheerful ambience! Thank you, Jessica, for taking great care of our family!

    Eggs Benedict w/ham & crispy deep-fried hash browns

    Mel's never disappoints! So glad to have this place in the neighborhood for a breakfast treat or to satisfy a lunchtime meal craving.

    Bacon, biscuits/gravy, eggs, and potatoes
    Lilah J.

    A pleasant visit! We were in the area to meet up with family and chose this location as it is minutes away from SMF airport. The host and server were kind and hospitable. Hubby got a big breakfast called "The Hangover" as seen in the photo. I wanted to just go with oatmeal but, they didn't have any nondairy milk substitute. Instead of oatmeal, decided to get a bigger breakfast--the egg white omelette w/their Mel's potatoes. Eggs, veggies, and potatoes were tasty that I almost finished my plate. Decaf was A-OK. Menu has plenty of choices. The restaurant and ladies' room was clean. Staff wears masks. On a Sunday morning, parking was easy peasy in the strip mall lot shared w/other businesses. Overall, Mel's is a decent diner. Would definitely return when in the Natomas area of Sacto. This is more like a 3.5 just like the current yelp average but, I'll round it to 3. Cheers!

    Mels Gourmet Curly Fries

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    6 months ago

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    1 year ago

    So glad we have a Mel's in Natomas. The owners are amazing, and provide excellent service. Highly recommend!

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    9 months ago

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    We used to really like coming here but since they re-opened the staff is rude and portions were small..

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    Food wasn't very good, service was worse, waitress doesn't speak any English. Very disappointed.

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    2 years ago

    I forgot to take a picture of the food because I was hungry Riana is the best server 10/10 would come again

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    3 years ago

    This place is temporarily closed. Just an FYI. We tried to go 2 weekends ago and again today.

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    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - The Original Mels

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