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    The Original Mels

    3.3 (525 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 2 weeks ago

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    THE ORIGINAL MELS ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Lucy M.

    My burger was good but could have used more seasoning. Our waitress was also kind of slow, had to wait awhile to order our food and then again when trying to get the check. The place was a little dirty, they could have swept up a bit between crowds. Not a fan, but not dismissing this restaurant either.

    Hashbrowns and eggs Benedict
    Betty P.

    This place was packed but we managed to be seated quickly. Service was great and the food came out fast. Overall good comfort food and a great cup of coffee

    Jody W.

    Great food, service and ambiance as usual. This was breakfast with Dad for my birthday. Pics show the yumminess!!! I keep coming back no matter what time of day!

    Samantha C.

    Walked in on a weekday for lunch and was served immediately. Service was outstanding by both waitresses we encountered. What we got: San Francisco Melburger (4/5) -- Patty doneness exactly as I asked and everything tasted great together. Only comments are the sourdough wasn't as sour as I'm used to and a lot of the bacon was so hard that I was hesitant to chew for the sake of my teeth. Got standard fries to go alongside and they were very dry and flavorless Fish and chips (4/5) -- My dad enjoyed this even though I thought the fish pieces could have been a little larger. The ranch and onion rings that come with were well executed Affordable, good basic diner food. Bummer that the record picker at our booth wasn't working.

    Corn beef hash
    Deanna L.

    This diner reminds me of the movie Grease! I brought my little one and he was so intrigued by the decor inside. I ordered the corn beef hash and asked for extra crispy hash and my mom ordered an extra hot clam chowder and burger. We made a few requests and our server granted every one of those requests. The portions were decent sized and the pricings were average. The restaurant wasnt too busy when we came for lunch right before Thanksgiving, so there wasn't a wait. It was my first time at Mels and I had a positive experience.

    Country Skillet sub fried eggs over scrambled
    Anthony E.

    Gotta love some Mel's Diner. I had the country skillet which was soooo good. Really good portion for the price. Our waitress was very friendly, and waited on our party in a very timely and helpful manner. Who doesn't love the 50's style diner atmosphere?? Fun place to come for the kids as they love to pick out songs on the table jukebox.

    Lemon meringue pie

    My slice of pie looked like it had fallen and placed in a to go container. The filling was runny and the meringue was liquidy falling off the pie. The crust was crumbs. Terrible product quality and service. Perhaps it was left out at room temperature too long while the rest of my order being prepared. At 5.99 a slice, I expect better quality. Do better!

    Vanessa C.

    Stopped by for breakfast this morning with my fiancé and it was so good. They were super busy but we still got sat pretty fast. Our server was very friendly. Food was great. I got the corned beef hash and eggs (and I added avocado). My fiancé got the country fried steak and eggs. Super good!

    Hangover Breakfast and chorizo skillet

    Great food, atmosphere and service. The proportions are big so you get great value for the price.

    Open faced turkey, dressing & mashed potatoes
    Karen C.

    Worst meal I've ever had at Mels. Didn't like the turkey or stuffing. The server was kind. I settled for a salad. Busy atmosphere. Most days the service is really good. Every once in awhile I have to take the 2nd photo into account. Love the milk shakes although the last time we went the server asked us what flavor she could split for us? A bit presumptuous especially since we wanted different flavors. I did notice that our shakes were less full and had less syrup that visit. Best burgers but that same server argued that no pink was the same as well done. Not in my opinion especially since that burger ended up being crunchy around the edges. They have a large menu, and serve breakfast all day. The jukebox wasn't playing the last couple times we went but the music is nice when it does. Plenty of parking out front and located near the outlets if shopping is on your mind. Overall we'll go again I suppose.

    Kinda late on Thursday night...

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    There is a couple of servers that are good . But it's really gross that they don't clean the music thing at the table .

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    1 year ago

    The food is good, the service is excellent and friendly. I have had breakfast, lunch, and dinner here and enjoyed all.

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    1 year ago

    Food was good. Portions were big and service was great. The kids loved the balloons that they got when we walked in.

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    1 year ago

    It was great food and service. Thank you for a great time. We will be back for sure. The hot dogs were good

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    Page 1 of 14

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    Review Highlights - The Original Mels

    I felt so bad because I came in so late, but the lovely Karina was quick to serve me in a kind & respectful manner.

    Mentioned in 11 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Heritage House Cafe

    Heritage House Cafe

    4.1
    (630 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    Came here on a Saturday morning around 11:30am and waited about 30 minutes to be seated not bad at…read moreall and it was totally worth the wait. We orderd pancakes with blueberry compote, french toast and they were both sooo good. The pancakes nice and fluffy and the french toast was the best I've had so far.The bacon was super good and their country potatoes were cooked to perfection. The biscuits and gravy had really good flavor. Pretty much everything we ordered was fire. Our server was great. She was really nice and attentive to our needs. Refills without asking and the food came out pretty quick. The ambiance took me back in the day like a blast from the past. Cute lil spot. Found this spot on Yelp and it has great reviews. So glad we gave it a try. Highly recommend and cant wait to come back again.

    Parking is kind of hit and miss near the entrance but you can always find a park nearby. Inside the…read moretables were clean, music was playing, and customers seemed to be enjoying themselves. Food: I ordered The Cowboy which consisted of eggs, waffle, and chicken fried steak. Everything was hot including the waffle. So nice! The waffle was a slight bit crunchy on top but really soft otherwise and it was delicious! The chicken fried steak was very tender and the gravy wasn't bad but it could have used a bit more salt. The coffee was a bit mild for my liking. Service: When I walked in there was no signage so I stood for a few minutes without acknowledgement. Finally a young man with light brown hair approached and looked at me but walked right past. When he passed again I asked if I was supposed to seat myself? He looked off and muttered "yeah it's going to be a few minutes" then he walked off. It didn't answer my question so I continued to stand until another server invited me to sit at a vacant table. The same young man was observed tossing the food and bussing the table of a nearby customer who had gone to the restroom. His server came to the rescue however by making him a plate to go. My actual server Mary was nice and tended to my needs but it was a bit of a wait between being seated, getting drinks, and placing the order. Overall its a strong 4 rating that could have been a 5 with a little more attentiveness from staff. Definitely recommend though!

    Photos
    Heritage House Cafe
    Club sandwich
    Club sandwich
    Egg Scramble with Onions Tomatoes & Ham & a Side of Country Potatoes

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    Egg Scramble with Onions Tomatoes & Ham & a Side of Country Potatoes
    Attalus Coffee

    Attalus Coffee

    4.7
    (119 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $

    My husband and I are pretty particular when it comes to coffee. We've planned entire day trips…read morearound visiting coffee shops we love, so it says a lot that one of our favorites ended up being right in our own backyard. We've become regulars at Attalus Coffee, mostly to explore their rotating pour-over offerings. Each visit has been consistently excellent. The team is welcoming, genuinely knowledgeable, and always happy to chat through the tasting notes or offer recommendations when I can't decide between beans. You can tell they care just as much about helping people enjoy coffee as they do about making it. For my husband, the benchmark is espresso. He's always searching for a shot that's balanced, sweet, and expressive. It's been a surprisingly difficult thing to find, but somehow, Attalus nails it every single time. His go-to is a double shot over ice, and it's one of the few places we've found that is able to deliver consistently! As much as we love discovering new cafés, we're incredibly grateful to have a shop of this caliber so close to home. Attalus has easily earned a permanent spot in our regular rotation.

    I wanted to like it so bad but I just couldn't do it…read more They were offering a seasonal matcha with wildflower syrup and pea flower cream but knew I wouldn't like the cream, so I just got the matcha with wildflower syrup. I honestly don't even know what I was thinking ordering that combination. I am not the type to get floral drinks and I didn't know that the wildflower syrup would be so strong. I think I wouldn't have minded if the matcha flavor was strong but it was pretty watered down and had a pale color :( Not sure if I'll come back because it's out of the way for me. I'm sure their other coffees are fine, and I noticed they have Starter bakery for their baked goods which is a plus

    Photos
    Nice and bright inside
    Nice and bright inside
    Blueberry Osmanthus Yogurt & the seasonal wildflower latte
    Blueberry Osmanthus Yogurt & the seasonal wildflower latte
    Iced vanilla bean latte with oat milk

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    Iced vanilla bean latte with oat milk
    Vacaville Breakfast

    Vacaville Breakfast

    4.6
    (572 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$

    Stopped by this small Cuban restaurant recently and had a great experience overall. It's definitely…read morea cozy spot -- the interior is pretty small with limited seating, and you order at the counter when you walk in. Luckily the weather was perfect the day we went, so we grabbed a table outside and it ended up being the ideal way to enjoy the meal. We started with a Cuban café with condensed milk, and it was incredible. The coffee was bold and rich like a good Cuban espresso should be, and the condensed milk added the perfect amount of sweetness and creaminess. It was smooth, strong, and honestly one of the best cups of coffee I've had in a while. For food, she ordered the chilaquiles and I ordered the ropa vieja plate, and we also added an order of papa rellenas to share. The chilaquiles were easily the star of the show. The chips were perfectly coated in sauce without being soggy, and the sauce itself had a really unique flavor compared to the traditional chilaquiles I'm used to. It had a deeper, richer taste with just the right balance of spice and tang. Every bite was packed with flavor and it felt like a really thoughtful twist on the dish. The ropa vieja was just as impressive. The shredded beef was incredibly tender and flavorful, clearly slow-cooked because it just fell apart with each bite. The seasoning was spot on -- savory, slightly tomatoey, and really comforting. It came with black beans and rice, and even though I'm usually not a big fan of black beans, these were excellent. They had a lot of flavor and a great texture, not watery or bland like they sometimes can be. The only thing that didn't quite land for me was the papa rellenas. They were well made, but I was expecting something with more of an empanada-like texture or a crispier outer bite. Instead, it was much more potato-forward, which made it a little heavier than I was hoping for. Service was amazing! Kind friendly staff Overall though, the food was flavorful, the coffee was amazing, and the relaxed outdoor seating made it a really enjoyable meal. Definitely a spot worth checking out if you're in the area.

    Super Rich all good atmosphere and super clean!!…read more I would definitely come back and super friendly people!! The food is super delicious, good seasoning!

    Photos
    Lindo lugar para dos personas
    Lindo lugar para dos personas
    Meat Pie is a must
    Meat Pie is a must
    Iced macchiato

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    Iced macchiato
    Fenton's Creamery

    Fenton's Creamery

    3.8
    (2k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Enjoyed our visit here. The food is not cheap, but the quality is very good…read more Grilled chicken salad: 4/5. My wife and I split a large salad since we were going to be gorging ourselves on a sundae. The chicken was surprisingly enjoyable, warm and tasty. Small custom sundae: 4/5. Two scoops of ice cream (vanilla and coffee), and two helpings of hot fudge sauce. Pretty good, but next time I will order extra chocolate sauce.

    We have been coming to Fentons for years, which made this experience especially disappointing…read more The hostess should not be working in a customer-facing role without proper training on how to interact respectfully and compassionately with children who have disabilities and their families. Our servers were great, but the hostess stood out for the wrong reasons. We came in 6/6/2026 for reference around 12pm. Our party of 10 was quoted a 30-minute wait, which we were happy to accept. After waiting, we checked in with the hostess only to be told that our table had been given away and our name had been removed from the list because she claimed she called us several times. No one in our group heard our name called. What was most frustrating was the lack of effort to help resolve the situation. The hostess was dismissive and seemed uninterested in finding a solution. This was particularly difficult because my 4-year-old niece has autism, and unexpected changes and long waits can be very challenging for her. A little patience, understanding, and compassion would have gone a long way. As longtime customers, we expected better communication and customer service. Unfortunately, the way this situation was handled left us feeling unwelcome and disappointed.

    Photos
    Since 1894! #Ice #Cream #American #Traditional #Restaurants
 #Breakfast #Brunch #Dinner #Dessert #Oakland #Vacaville #Top #Best #Near #Me
    Since 1894! #Ice #Cream #American #Traditional #Restaurants #Breakfast #Brunch #Dinner #Dessert #Oakland #Vacaville #Top #Best #Near #Me
    Since 1894! #Ice #Cream #American #Traditional #Restaurants
 #Breakfast #Brunch #Dinner #Dessert #Oakland #Vacaville #Top #Best #Near #Me
    Since 1894! #Ice #Cream #American #Traditional #Restaurants #Breakfast #Brunch #Dinner #Dessert #Oakland #Vacaville #Top #Best #Near #Me
    Since 1894! #Ice #Cream #American #Traditional #Restaurants
 #Breakfast #Brunch #Dinner #Dessert #Oakland #Vacaville #Top #Best #Near #Me

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    Since 1894! #Ice #Cream #American #Traditional #Restaurants #Breakfast #Brunch #Dinner #Dessert #Oakland #Vacaville #Top #Best #Near #Me
    Backdoor Bistro and Wine Bar

    Backdoor Bistro and Wine Bar

    4.2
    (842 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    We had a lovely lunch here. The staff was super friendly and attentive. The food was delicious -…read morestand outs include the Mac n' cheese and fried polenta and the salads. (I'd skip the fish tacos.) We had a baby and two dogs so sat down outside. They couldn't have been more accommodating. Also very willing to accommodate special food requests. Overall a lovely experience and we will definitely go back.

    The polenta fries are a must-order -- perfectly crisp and even better dipped into the creamy…read morecilantro sauce on the side. The beet salad was also delicious, and major appreciation to the kitchen for thoughtfully splitting it into four equal plates for sharing. Small touch, big hospitality points. The lemon ricotta pancake was the one slight miss for me. The powdered sugar ended up being the main character, overpowering some of the balance and richness I was hoping for. The fish tacos, however, completely redeemed things. Flavorful, fresh, and made even better by our incredibly thoughtful waitress, who had the kitchen prepare four tacos for sharing instead of the usual three. Those little gestures really elevate the experience. But the true standout of the meal? The Back Door Berry Bramble. Pure bliss in a glass. Made with seasonal local fruit purée, lime, grapefruit, orange liqueur, and vodka, this cocktail absolutely knocked it out of the park -- bright, refreshing!!!

    Photos
    View of seating
    View of seating
    Power bowl  California Benedict  Lemon ricotta pancakes  Pineapple mimosa
    Power bowl California Benedict Lemon ricotta pancakes Pineapple mimosa
    Backdoor Bistro and Wine Bar

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    Merchant & Main Grill & Bar

    Merchant & Main Grill & Bar

    3.5
    (666 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    We were looking for a place to meet some old friends in between Sac and Bay Area so found this spot…read morein Yelp so thought we would check it out. On Friday around 5:30pm we were able to find parking out front on the street. You go in a side entrance which has a few outdoor tables and when you walk in, if you go right there is a bar area and left is the restaurant area. Looks like a place that families and older couples like to eat. We got there a little early so asked for a table for four. We were seated in about 5 minutes and while waiting for our friends ordered a drink. They offer beer, wine and cocktails. They have a large menu and have specials also. I ordered the Pear Collins and hubby had a beer. Once our friends arrived our waitress took our orders. We started with the Tequila Grilled Prawns and the World Famous Calamari. I ordered the Beet and Goat Cheese Salad and hubby had the Chicken Asiago Fettuccine. Our friend ordered the Pork Chop. The pork chop was huge and she said it was delicious. Hubby liked the pasta but although there was plenty of salad and beets, there was just a big glob of sour cream on top. Service was good and our waitress was very friendly and took good care of us.

    Overall the food was good it was the service that was not well received from our group who met up…read morefor brunch. This is the email that I sent to them. After a few email exchanges they offered a certificate to come back. I told them that I don't think our friends would want to come back and declined the offer but I wanted to be clear that my issue is based on the service. Told her I was a former waitress and food reviewer, I received no response back. Dear Merchant Team, I wanted to share my experience from my visit this past Saturday with a party of four. It was our first time dining at Merchant, and while we enjoyed the brunch overall, I was disappointed with the portion size of the chicken fried steak. It was surprisingly small--about the size of my cell phone--which was not what we expected based on our previous experiences at other establishments. Additionally, the service during our visit was below expectations. It took approximately 30 minutes for our server to initially take our order, and we were not offered a full range of beverage options beyond champagne and cider. After informing the server that I do not drink alcohol and have an allergy to cider, there was no follow-up or alternative suggestion provided. We chose Merchant based on the fantastic reviews we read, so this experience was quite disappointing for us. Thank you for taking the time to review this feedback.

    Photos
    It was empty
    It was empty
    Nachos
    Nachos
    M&M Salad

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    M&M Salad
    Journey Coffee

    Journey Coffee

    4.3
    (947 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    I've been coming here for a decade and their quality has only improved. The cafe is now larger and…read morea little more modern but they still left a touch of the aviation theme that started their journey. There is now a Tesla Supercharger so navigate to that instead of the cafe so that your Tesla preconditions while you enjoy your morning. They no longer support their own app and have turned the keys over to Square to create an account to make it easier to pay and reorder. The ready times you get in the app are later than it's usually ready so I recommend giving them 10-20 minutes lead time. Here's my rating of the variety of foods and drinks I've tried. Undertow - 8 - Fun twist on a cortado as the half and half is cold and they add a splash of vanilla. The hot espresso is carefully floated on top of the milk so that when you drink you feel the cold "underflow" of vanilla milk. Cortado- 8 - Small but powerful sip of espresso. I prefer it with half and half and a touch of sugar over Journey's method but it is a tasty sip. Lavender Latte - -10 - the best version of a lavender latte you'll ever have. Cherry Blossom Latte - 9 - The cherry syrup is very forward but blends nicely into the latte which gives it light finish. The coffee does get a touch lost so add an extra shot. Citrus Cocoa Latte - 9 - The orange syrup is prevalent throughout the drink but the cocoa starts to stand up more the last half of the drink. I don't prefer chocolate drinks but this doesn't taste like a mocha at all. Very well done Journey!!! Veggie n Egg Breakfast Wrap - 7 - Light and flavorful but needs some pop from another ingredient. I recommend using the Tapatio hit sauce to elevate it above our 7 rating for those that want some pop of flavor and can handle spice. Breakfast Hand Pie - 6 - The pastry wasn't crispy but it did have some crispy seeds on it to save the texture, a bit gummy for my liking. The filling was also creamy with more cheese than needed (and I love cheese). Although good, I wouldn't get it again because the flavor of the filling fell flat. First Class Wrap - 10 - If you can handle spice, the chipotle sauce is amazing amidst the variety of ingredients. This is my go-to and everybody I introduce it to gets it as well. Every business partner I've introduced this right off the freeway coffee stop has loved and kept as their own. It's a no brainer if you're headed down I-80.

    Was recently in vacaville for work and discovered this gem. Breakfast sandwich was excellent and…read morefreshly made. Service was friendly and very helpful with suggestions. Coffee was excellent. Prices were great too! If I lived nearby, would definitely be a regular for me.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Blueberry scones and Lavender latte.
    Blueberry scones and Lavender latte.
    Inside

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    Inside

    The Original Mels - diners - Updated July 2026

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