Welcome to Mel’s Drive-In
Mel’s Drive-In is a beloved diner located in the heart of San Francisco, dedicated to serving comfort food around the clock. With a vibrant, nostalgic ambiance, it’s a place that captures the essence of classic American diners. Known for its generous portions and hearty breakfast options, Mel's delights guests with dishes like rich pancakes and savory patty melts. The diner accommodates various dietary preferences with ample vegan and vegetarian choices. Whether you’re grabbing a late-night bite or early breakfast, the welcoming atmosphere and attentive service create an enjoyable dining experience for families, groups, and late-night food lovers alike.
-
801 Mission St San Francisco, CA 94103 United States Hotline: (415) 227-0793
Welcome to Mel’s Drive-In: a cherished gem located at 801 Mission St in San Francisco, CA. Dive into a classic American diner experience where the nostalgia of the past meets the vibrancy of today. Open 24 hours, Mel’s embodies the spirit of diners with a menu offering breakfast, brunch, and late-night delights that compel you to return time and again.
- Ambiance: Stepping into Mel’s, you are instantly transported to a bygone era. The decor, adorned with vintage photographs and retro furnishings, creates a warm, inviting atmosphere that is perfect for relaxed meals with family and friends.
- Diverse Menu: The offerings span an impressive range, from fluffy pancakes that have won the hearts of locals to the rich, satisfying patty melt—a customer favorite praised for its generous portions and flavorful goodness. Options abound for all dietary needs, including vegan and numerous vegetarian selections, ensuring everyone finds something delightful.
- Drink Selection: Among the highlights is the buttered butterscotch milkshake, a perfect partner to the classic diner fare. Coffee lovers will revel in the variety from cold brew to spice-infused lattes, ensuring your drink is as good as your meal.
- Service: While opinions on service vary, many patrons find the atmosphere relaxed and servers attentive enough to make dining enjoyable, even during busy hours. After a trip to the Metreon or a shopping spree nearby, Mel’s proves to be the ideal spot to refuel.
- Accessibility: With an ADA-compliant entrance, outdoor seating, and amenities like free Wi-Fi and QR code menus, Mel’s ensures a hassle-free dining experience for everyone, whether you’re dining in or taking out.
Mel’s Drive-In has earned a loyal following thanks to its combo of nostalgia, flavor, and accessibility. As you savor your meal, take a moment to admire the echoes of those who have dined here before, celebrating the simple pleasures of good food and fellowship. Your next visit to Mel’s isn’t just a meal; it’s a chance to connect with a slice of American diner culture, making memories one bite at a time!
Best diner on Market. I enjoy their break at menu and pancakes best in the morning ! They are open 24 hours and are always serving food. You will never leave hungry here. It's local to the mall across the street and target around the corner every time I enjoy breakfast here I spend money shopping. I come in knowing what to order here so the servers are welcoming to the local that enjoy breakfast here. I have a hard time choosing between apple juice or a milk shake !
A good place to eat after seeing a movie at the Metreon. Despite being in a busy part of the city, my group got to sit down quickly. Our food came quickly as well and our server made sure to split our bill when we asked.
I visited this spot a few years ago but I distinctly remember my experience there - and enjoyed it even though I was massively hungover! True to its name this spot is diner style and kind of transports you back in time. If you are looking for carb heavy rich foods you will definitely find it here - all things classic american style! I remember the service here being quick and nice - and the ambiance was nice and clean. For my food I ordered the Patty melt which I enjoyed. The portion was big and the food was flavorful, in diner style of course. I enjoyed my experience here and would go back!
We stopped by this place during Dreamforce for breakfast.......then we went back several more times during the week! What a nice diner! The first time I was there I ordered the avocado toast dish. It came with 3 broached eggs that were cooked absolutely perfectly! It was the tastiest breakfast I had all week. A few days later I ordered the French toast dish (Bacon, etc) it was tasty as well (albeit not as good as the avocado toast). The place was constantly busy, but we were able to get a seat each time (at the bar the second time) Service was good here and the environment was exactly what you would expect from a diner.
I was recently visiting the Bay Area and decided to stop in at Mel's because it was "familiar" cuisine for me. Well, it was still pretty great as far as the ambience and quality of food - especially the butterscotch milkshake with malt! My only complaint, although it's not enough to give any less than five stars, was that the wait staff took a long time to get to us between orders even though it really wasn't that crowded. Not a big deal, but don't come here if you're looking for a quick bite - otherwise, enjoy!
Really cool, classic diner feel. It was fun to look at the pictures on the walls of celebrities that previously passed through. The service was attentive. There's a security guard on site since this is downtown. And there was an issue he has to tend to with another diner. He ended up moving that diner to a more secluded section of the restaurant. The food was good but nothing to write home about.
This place is a rollercoaster ride of emotions. First the wait staff are so lethargic you think they have no interest in working. You wait for them to take your order and wonder why it's taking eons to get your food. And finally the chowder came. Utter deliciousness. The tenderness of the clams as well as the scrumptiousness of the order was out of this world. Thoroughly satisfied.