Mel's Drive-In image

Mel's Drive-In

Restaurant Breakfast restaurant Hamburger restaurant Family restaurant American restaurant Diner

Part of a local chain, this family-friendly 1950s-style diner serves classic American comfort fare. People often mention good, diner, delicious, Mel', order, staff, great, time, service, milkshake,


Address

3355 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94118

Website

melsdrive-in.com

Contact

(415) 387-2255

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.10 (2.1K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: good (12) diner (10) delicious (7) Mel' (7) order (6) staff (6) great (6) time (6) service (6) milkshake (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 1/5 Jay H. 2 years ago on Google
    Garbage. Do not order from Mel’s. Ordered 2 items totaling over $40 and it was the most overpriced, worst meal i have had since i ordered something from there 6 years ago. SF has such good food there is no reason to dine here if you have a taste for food. Just take a look at the meals. The photos speak for themselves.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sorin C. 2 years ago on Google
    This is a hidden gem! Amazing place. Friendly and smart staff. Keep a vintage style but very clean and not kitch. They have even the music machine, still working! The food was really really good. My friend had some bbq ribs, so tasty.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Pasha G. 5 months ago on Google
    Breakfast was good. But $28 before tip? Eggs, bacon, potatoes, toast, coffee, orange juice. I think I paid less at the Meridian Hotel in downtown.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Thomas P. 1 year ago on Google
    We had a great time. Henry gave us amazing service. Great food for all. You have to have one of their old-fashioned milkshakes too.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tessa S. 1 year ago on Google
    Very classic diner vibes!! Grilled cheese was delicious though a bit overpriced. $5 fries plate is a LOT of fries but that’s good because they are delicious skinny fries with a nice crunch in the outside. Chocolate cake goes crazy and they give you the left over milkshake that doesn’t fit in your glass. See you there!!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hines E. 1 year ago on Google
    This was one of the best diners I’ve ever been to on the West Coast! Not only was the food delicious but the atmosphere was on point. Prices are a little high but it’s worth it for the atmosphere and the friendly service
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 S D. 1 year ago on Google
    Spacious restaurant and car park. Like the milkshake and apple pie 😃 Come during happy hour for discount.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Ignasi M. 1 year ago on Google
    Pros: Looks very authentic, and they keep the same style as many years ago: the furniture, the outfits, etc. The food is good (e.g. avocado burger, strawberry milkshake). There is plenty of parking in the lot and on the street. Cons: Food is a little overpriced (club sandwich $20), but I guess you are also paying for the experience. The waiter did not come back to us almost at any point to check in. The music machines do not work, but they definitely take your quarters.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Raj T. 1 year ago on Google
    Definitely a very good diner! To begin with, being in SF, it had parking (seemed very safe) - Win! Win! Win! Vibe - Suddenly transcended to the vintage America. Potion sizes - American Size Jumbo, Furniture, gum ball machine and jukebox(though they don’t work) will give you the American experience! Food - As a vegetarian with a partner that can’t have eggs, we found limited options. Having said so, it’s supposed to be a vintage diner - not sure if we were expecting a little too much! Mac and cheese: Godly! Amazing! Not the first option for breakfast, but incredible! Black bean veggie burger: Much above average but a little dry. Mimosas: I’d say they were quite authentic! $5! Chocolate Milkshake: Must try!! Heaven! It’ll be a little too heavy for 1 person, so reevaluate before order, and note- always room for chocolate milkshake! Service: as expected, diner styled. The waiter was kind enough to have our chocolate milkshake in Togo boxes without smirking(yes, we’ve faced this in other diners). Price: we’ll a little overprice, but it’s a diner in SF! What’re we even expecting! I mean we all have overspent for breakfast, this is way under over-spent threshold though. Our bill for 4 items came to around $40ish!! Definitely recommended once for vegetarian people. For food maybe other options are best but chocolate milkshake and Mac and cheese, let your gym trainers know you are cheating it right!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Edgar E. 10 months ago on Google
    Recently visited Mel's and had a great time. The friendly Latino staff is bilingual and helps you order based on your personal preferences. The steak was delicious and the Aesthetics of the restaurant takes you back in time with its authentic atmosphere. Mel's restaurants treats Queens as Queens and gives roses to moms on Mother's day. Mel's Drive In is a must visit restaurant! Highly recommended.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rosalinda C. 5 months ago on Google
    Was so sad that the mini jukeboxes at the table were not working we always sit by a jukebox table and play the music what we want to hear they should really fix those that's part of the charm! Besides that I still like going to Mel's good food getting to be a little expensive though but what are you going to do.

  • 5/5 Joaquin C. 6 months ago on Google
    I've been to all Mel's locations in the city in the last month, and this one has given me the best service and best plate even though i ordered a simple waffle plate that comes with an egg and bacon it was well prepared to my liking. I will definitely be returning here soon

  • 1/5 Timmy E. 4 months ago on Google
    Although everyone has a different experience, our server “Diego” made sure to give us such an unpleasant experience that I will be telling everyone to STAY AWAY. The restaurant was mainly empty and we were indecisive about what to order. This made Diego become very impatient, ignoring simple requests, shaking his head and even stated that “It shouldn’t take 10 minutes to order”. I have a small child and Diego became argumentative with a female family member in front of my child instead of displaying professional customer service. I understand how hard it is to work in the food industry but it is inappropriate to create a hostile environment in a family setting after witnessing Diego exchange words with his coworkers and seeing them stare us down afterwards. In addition, gang like tattoos should not be displayed at work or around small children. We did not eat our food because we did not feel comfortable. We will not be returning here

  • 3/5 Lisa M. 10 months ago on Google
    I've only eaten at Mel's twice but both time I wasn't too impressed with the food. I got a patty melt and then the chicken fried stake. It was just alright. Maybe a bit over priced for the quality of food. Milk shake was good though. Cool atmosphere. Liked how they had a lil jukebox at each table. 25¢ to play a song of your choice. Good customer service. Very friendly.

  • 5/5 Alex T. 8 months ago on Google
    This diner is awesome! Every time I move to a new city, I immediately try to find my favorite diner and this is absolutely it for SF. Fast and friendly staff, excellent food (great portions too), and an incredible retro-style atmosphere. We've been here 3 times already, and we'll be back several more!

  • 2/5 Tereza A. 9 months ago on Google
    The staff was slow, but okay, but one waiter, I don't know why, but he was very unfriendly and mean and ruined enjoyment of this great place a bit (I don't know the name, but he was Asian,..maybe this review will help him learn how to treat his customers). The food and milkshakes we ordered were very good. I give here two stars only because of this waiter, I dont know if he had bad day, but I dont think it was necessary, to be that rude to us.

  • 4/5 Carey 11 months ago on Google
    Authentic old fashioned American Restaurant. The drinks were so delicious even though the prices were higher. French fries were good. Friendly services. Spacious. Easy to find a parking.

  • 4/5 Stephanie W. 11 months ago on Google
    We had not been to Mel's for quite some time, but this trip up to SF we knew we were definitely going there for lunch. I had the Mom's Turkey Dinner, it was fabulous, especially the stuffing, I love stuffing, and the red potato mash was so creamy and full of flavor. They only use fresh turkey breast and it tasted like it...melts in your mouth. My daughter had the fabulous root beer float and the French dip sandwich. She did not leave a crumb behind. The ice cream tasted like homemade, as did the root beer. The French dip has the freshest roll to complete the very tender roast beef. Yum. and the juice was tangy and plentiful. I would of given them 5 stars, but the bottled Kraft mayo and ranch dressing put us off. Other than that, you cannot go wrong getting a true home style meal here.

  • 4/5 Melissa A. 1 year ago on Google
    Always love some diner food! Definitely gives the old school diner vibe with a music box at each table (ours was broken 💔). Chicken and waffles were so goooddd!! Iced Coffee was also super good (pictured). Small parking lot, but easy to find parking in area. Staff was great and really quick.

  • 3/5 Kathryn K. 1 year ago on Google
    This used to be one of my favorite places to eat when I lived in San Francisco, not anymore. We went for breakfast and the service and the food were all very poor. One order for biscuits and gravy came to the table cold. 🤢 We reordered it and I watched 2 other "hot" plates of biscuits and gravy go by before ours was brought. The veggie omelet that I ordered was very greasy and the toast was just hot dry bread. They were not very busy and only had 4 tables of people. 🤷🏻‍♀️ It was a $50.00 breakfast that was maybe worth $20.00.

  • 4/5 Roberta D. 1 year ago on Google
    VERY tasty and the great staff helped me juggle their Great food around my annoying wheat flour allergy. I've been before and our return visit today was a good reminder of how Tasty the food is and how helpful the staff are in juggling around my tedious allergy. MANY other happy patrons were there enjoying the Tasty meal!!!

  • 5/5 Stacey B. 1 year ago on Google
    This breakfast was sooo delicious and worth every effort to put it in my face. 😋😋 ham is cheese omelet, hash browns, sour dough toast. Very delicious. I truly recommend that if U have an opportunity to eat there go, beautiful experience. U will Love it. Mmmmmmmm.

  • 4/5 Mark C. 1 year ago on Google
    Well worth a visit for that old US diner vibe. Service was a little inconsistent for us on our (2) visits on our stay. Good food and drinks though. Really enjoyed the meat loaf sandwich!


Call (415) 387-2255 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Plenty of parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Quick bite
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Late-night food
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Breakfast
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Catering
    • ✓️ Breakfast
    • ✓️ Counter service
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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