We stopped by Mel’s Hot Dogs before heading to Busch Gardens with high expectations, especially since it’s so close by and has a great reputation. Honestly, I would have been better off just eating inside the park lol.
Our order for 3 people took a little over 30 minutes. When I got the food to our table we noticed few items from our order were missing. When I pointed it out, I was asked for my receipt. (I did not print my receipt to save paper - my mistake ) they had to look up my name and print the receipt to prove to themselves that they were in fact wrong.
Hotdog didn’t even seem like an all beef hotdog, kinda low quality, thin, pale pink, and completely lacking any snap. It tasted and looked like a longer version of a canned Vienna possibly even thinner. The fact that they seem to pride themselves on Chicago style using chopped tomatoes rather than a half moon cut is criminal.
I watched them microwave both the hot dogs and sausages, and everything else seemed to come straight from freezer bags, including the corn dog. Such a letdown.
Overall, the restaurant has a really cool, retro vibe but ends there.A yeah, I was like hey, like coleslaw he asked if I wanted genuine blast from the past. Too bad you do not get a blast from the past with the food quality. nothing like the classics. Very underwhelming for a spot that’s supposed to be a Tampa icon.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Donald Lippold
It's always amazing. Jessica and the crew are the best. Every single customer that comes in here is greeted with smiles and hey how you been? Just an awesome group of people here
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
F. G.
Great old place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bernice Jensen
Service was fast around lunch time. There were only a few other customers at the time. Tasty broccoli cheese soup and chili dog was quick lunch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elaine Taylor
Just want to Thank Jessica the Manager. She's always kind and caring and makes your visits to Mel's great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
James Jones
I just had a girl that was a guy make my hamburger for $15 I'm physically disgusted it kind of ruined my day
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Chris Rambeau
Awesome dogs here if you can think of it they can make it 😀. Better to order in person then online though cause they seem to mess up on the Slaw dog everytime
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Phillip Shadid
Place has lost some of it's quality since it was sold. The fries were flapping in the wind, like a dancing noodle at a car lot. I mean I got home and put them in the air fryer for another 10 mins... I mean it's not the end of the world, and i'd some-what understand if it was busy and they were trying to get the orders out quickly. But it wasn't busy at all.
I also understand moving items on and off the menu, price change, etc, etc. But cutting the menu in half? Mel's has always been super amazing. You don't need to change what works..
Been going there since the 80's and will continue. The hotdogs are the best in Tampa, the chili is really good, especially dipping CRISPY fries in it. Not flappy potatoes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Elacia Edmonis
I freaking loooooooove their hot dogs
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
dx d
Been coming here for years never had anything bad. Still a Tampa tradition even though it’s changed somewhat since Mel sold it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hot Dogs, Chicago Style Hot Dog Fries Chilli and Cheese on Side, Italian Beef, Chili Cheese Fries, Coleslaw, Crispy Golden Brown French Fries, Hot Dog and Fries, Breaded Onion Rings, Chili, Chili Dog, Burger, Sandwiches, Fire Dog, Mel's Special, Polish Sausage, Chicago Beef, Bratwurst, Chicago Beef Sandwich, Reuben Dog
Had veggie dog, was very good with very fresh bun . Rest of family really enjoyed all the different types of dogs they could order.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
norma smith
Expensive hotdogs
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Philip Myers
Updating for 2026: Classic dogs and special surprises, too. My favorite person, Jessica, is still behind the counter smoothly running things while flashing her great smile. The employees are all so friendly and efficient. This is a must visit when in the area. I 💓 MEL'S!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ashley Bill
$61 for 4 hot dogs and 2 fries?!? With these prices in this economy, they are OUT OF THEIR MINDS! I told them I had an hour drive home before I could enjoy my meal, so if I ordered the Chili Dog, I would like the chili on the side so I can add it on later. Apparently, it’s $3 to put the CHILI for the CHILI DOG on the side… at this point, they are STEALING! A Chili Dog on their menu is $7. To add cheese is $1.50. They charged me $6 for the dog, $1.50 for cheese, and $3 for chili, per dog! WHAT?! I then asked to add a side of fries, and was automatically charged for large fries. Large fries is $5. To add a medium fry and a drink would be $6… Why wasn’t this offered? They want to charge for every little thing. I have run restaurants for over 17 years so I understand food costs, but it seems like they just want every little penny out of you. Ash, who seemed like the manager, should not be in customer service. She seems like she’s overworked and underpaid, that’s what her attitude says at least.. Mimi at the cash register even seemed to understand the outrageous pricing because when I questioned why it’s 1.50 to add chili ONTOP of a hotdog but $3 to add it on the side, she even agreed it seemed crazy and showed me the 2oz cup it would come in… Though she had a nice attitude when it came to refunding me and then recharging me, it’s clear they are just told to charge the customer for the most expensive items. Why have a Chili Dog on the menu if you’re going to charge me PER TOPPING?! I will be reaching out every day to be sure my refund is correct, because even after tipping, I spent $75 today on 4 Hot Dogs and 2 medium fries with cheese ($61 for the first purchase, $11 for the second purchase because she had to recharge me for the medium fries?, and a $5 cash tip specifically meant for Mimi.) Make it make sense!
They refunded me for CHILI ON FRIES ($3.50) and LARGE FRIES ($10).. I ORIGINALLY PAID FOR CHILI CUPS ($6).. They then made me pay AGAIN for CHILI ON FRIES (3.50). Once I was home an hour later, there was NO CHILI anywhere!! I need to be contacted by General Manager or Owner and refunded properly!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Jasmine Inglese
They overcharge for mediocre food and expect a tip with horrible attitudes! I was born and raised in Chicago. This place was a GEM years ago!! It has gone DOWN HILL so fast!
We stopped by Mel’s Hot Dogs before heading to Busch Gardens with high expectations, especially since it’s so close by and has a great reputation. Honestly, I would have been better off just eating inside the park lol.
Our order for 3 people took a little over 30 minutes. When I got the food to our table we noticed few items from our order were missing. When I pointed it out, I was asked for my receipt. (I did not print my receipt to save paper - my mistake ) they had to look up my name and print the receipt to prove to themselves that they were in fact wrong.
Hotdog didn’t even seem like an all beef hotdog, kinda low quality, thin, pale pink, and completely lacking any snap. It tasted and looked like a longer version of a canned Vienna possibly even thinner. The fact that they seem to pride themselves on Chicago style using chopped tomatoes rather than a half moon cut is criminal.
I watched them microwave both the hot dogs and sausages, and everything else seemed to come straight from freezer bags, including the corn dog. Such a letdown.
Overall, the restaurant has a really cool, retro vibe but ends there.A yeah, I was like hey, like coleslaw he asked if I wanted genuine blast from the past. Too bad you do not get a blast from the past with the food quality. nothing like the classics. Very underwhelming for a spot that’s supposed to be a Tampa icon.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
It's always amazing. Jessica and the crew are the best. Every single customer that comes in here is greeted with smiles and hey how you been? Just an awesome group of people here
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great old place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Service was fast around lunch time. There were only a few other customers at the time. Tasty broccoli cheese soup and chili dog was quick lunch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Just want to Thank Jessica the Manager. She's always kind and caring and makes your visits to Mel's great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I just had a girl that was a guy make my hamburger for $15 I'm physically disgusted it kind of ruined my day
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Awesome dogs here if you can think of it they can make it 😀. Better to order in person then online though cause they seem to mess up on the Slaw dog everytime
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Place has lost some of it's quality since it was sold. The fries were flapping in the wind, like a dancing noodle at a car lot. I mean I got home and put them in the air fryer for another 10 mins... I mean it's not the end of the world, and i'd some-what understand if it was busy and they were trying to get the orders out quickly. But it wasn't busy at all.
I also understand moving items on and off the menu, price change, etc, etc. But cutting the menu in half? Mel's has always been super amazing. You don't need to change what works..
Been going there since the 80's and will continue. The hotdogs are the best in Tampa, the chili is really good, especially dipping CRISPY fries in it. Not flappy potatoes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
I freaking loooooooove their hot dogs
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Been coming here for years never had anything bad. Still a Tampa tradition even though it’s changed somewhat since Mel sold it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hot Dogs, Chicago Style Hot Dog Fries Chilli and Cheese on Side, Italian Beef, Chili Cheese Fries, Coleslaw, Crispy Golden Brown French Fries, Hot Dog and Fries, Breaded Onion Rings, Chili, Chili Dog, Burger, Sandwiches, Fire Dog, Mel's Special, Polish Sausage, Chicago Beef, Bratwurst, Chicago Beef Sandwich, Reuben Dog
Restaurantji Recommends
Had veggie dog, was very good with very fresh bun . Rest of family really enjoyed all the different types of dogs they could order.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Expensive hotdogs
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Updating for 2026: Classic dogs and special surprises, too. My favorite person, Jessica, is still behind the counter smoothly running things while flashing her great smile. The employees are all so friendly and efficient. This is a must visit when in the area. I 💓 MEL'S!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
$61 for 4 hot dogs and 2 fries?!? With these prices in this economy, they are OUT OF THEIR MINDS! I told them I had an hour drive home before I could enjoy my meal, so if I ordered the Chili Dog, I would like the chili on the side so I can add it on later. Apparently, it’s $3 to put the CHILI for the CHILI DOG on the side… at this point, they are STEALING! A Chili Dog on their menu is $7. To add cheese is $1.50. They charged me $6 for the dog, $1.50 for cheese, and $3 for chili, per dog! WHAT?!
I then asked to add a side of fries, and was automatically charged for large fries. Large fries is $5. To add a medium fry and a drink would be $6… Why wasn’t this offered? They want to charge for every little thing. I have run restaurants for over 17 years so I understand food costs, but it seems like they just want every little penny out of you.
Ash, who seemed like the manager, should not be in customer service. She seems like she’s overworked and underpaid, that’s what her attitude says at least.. Mimi at the cash register even seemed to understand the outrageous pricing because when I questioned why it’s 1.50 to add chili ONTOP of a hotdog but $3 to add it on the side, she even agreed it seemed crazy and showed me the 2oz cup it would come in… Though she had a nice attitude when it came to refunding me and then recharging me, it’s clear they are just told to charge the customer for the most expensive items. Why have a Chili Dog on the menu if you’re going to charge me PER TOPPING?! I will be reaching out every day to be sure my refund is correct, because even after tipping, I spent $75 today on 4 Hot Dogs and 2 medium fries with cheese ($61 for the first purchase, $11 for the second purchase because she had to recharge me for the medium fries?, and a $5 cash tip specifically meant for Mimi.) Make it make sense!
They refunded me for CHILI ON FRIES ($3.50) and LARGE FRIES ($10).. I ORIGINALLY PAID FOR CHILI CUPS ($6)..
They then made me pay AGAIN for CHILI ON FRIES (3.50). Once I was home an hour later, there was NO CHILI anywhere!! I need to be contacted by General Manager or Owner and refunded properly!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
They overcharge for mediocre food and expect a tip with horrible attitudes! I was born and raised in Chicago. This place was a GEM years ago!! It has gone DOWN HILL so fast!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
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