The Original Mels Diner

Name: The Original Mels Diner
Address: 3000 J St, Sacramento, California, 95816, US
Telephone: (916) 444-6357
Price range: $
Rating: 4.1

$ • Diners, American, Vegan

Hours:
3000 J St, Sacramento
(916) 444-6357

Menu Order Online

About The Original Mels Diner

The Original Mels Diner is a popular restaurant chain known for its friendly staff, relaxed atmosphere, and delicious milkshakes. Breakfast items are a standout on the menu, and customers recommend the Steak & Eggs deal. The waitstaff is courteous, with many bilingual in Spanish, which is helpful as the menu has limited visual aids. The diner maintains a clean environment with well-stocked bathrooms. While the wait can be lengthy during busy times, it moves quickly. The food is consistently good and satisfying, featuring lots of choices, including a Tuesday breakfast special that includes 2 eggs, 2 sausage patties, Mel's potatoes, toast, and coffee for under $12.00. The retro diner ambiance is a highlight, with children's meals served in a cute car-shaped box.

Customers praise the diner's quality, stating it outperforms other chain restaurants like IHOP and Denny's. The breakfast menu receives high marks, with flavorful meats, perfectly cooked eggs and potatoes, and well-textured pancakes. The hash browns have been noted as perfectly golden and crispy. The biscuits, made in-house, are described as the fluffiest ever, smothered in amazing sausage gravy with bacon mixed in for extra flavor. The chili is rich and authentic, and adding it to hash is a recommended life hack. The ham steak is super thick, juicy, and not skimpy like at other places, making it a standout choice.

The service is also commended, with a single waitress efficiently handling orders and providing excellent customer service. The diner's location, just off the freeway, makes it a convenient option for travelers. Many find the atmosphere reminiscent of the 40s and 50s, adding to the experience. While some customers feel the diner lacks the authenticity of a true diner experience, others find it a suitable choice for a casual, family-friendly meal, and many are eager to return for more.