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The Original Mel's Diner, located in Auburn, CA, is the Auburn link in the small chain of 22 retro diners, located in Northern California and Nevada. Like most other Mel's locations, the Auburn location is a franchise, serving "old school," fine diner cuisine, in a 1950's style dining room, with all the classics of the period. What's not to love about Mel's? As with all restaurant reviews I publish, I have no affiliation with the restaurant reviewed, and there is no monetary gain on my part, as I am simply a person who likes to eat, and I love to write-up, and publish my dining experiences.
Photo: It's Christmas eve, Saturday, December 24, 2022, and I've decided to treat myself to an early Christmas present by enjoying a delicious, 1950's style breakfast at Original Mel's Diner, located in Auburn, CA.
Photo: As you enter the restaurant, you're welcomed by a "Please Wait to Be Seated" sign. Wait... what wait? ... I was seated as soon as I walked in the door.
Photo: As you enter Mel's, you'll note the restaurant is decorated for the season, as Christmas decorations are everywhere, which mix well with the "old school" diner theme of the restaurant's decor. Patriotism is alive and well at Mel's, as there are American Flags everywhere. I simply adore the "funky," retro decor, and the diner atmosphere! I arrived shortly after the 0700 morning opening, and the restaurant was lightly seated.
Photo: Today's chain of 22 Original Mel's Diner traces it's roots back to 1947, when "Mel's Diner" was founded in San Francisco. The 1973 George Lucas movie classic, "American Graffiti" was filmed at Mel's Diner, located on South Van Ness St. in San Francisco, as the Auburn Mel's, along with the rest of the links in the chain, celebrate the occasion. If you're a fan of the movie, along with classic cars and "dragging the main," you'll love the atmosphere at Original Mel's Diner, in Auburn.
Photo: The dining room is divided into several sections, each separated by a low partition. I'm standing in a section that's portitioned off from the main dining room, and is almost like a separate section, but it affords a great view into the main dining room. The walls are decorated with countless period photos, posters, neon signs and clocks, and most tables include a juke box remote. There are several television monitors - did they have hi-def television in 1963? - that were tuned to football. The partitions, along with the period decor make the dining room seem very cluttered and busy, but it's all in good taste, attractive and very nostalgic. If you're a "child of the 1960's" like I am, between the decor and the amazing diner "comfort food," you'll be right at home.
Photo: One of the walls decorated with period photos or rock concerts, cars, restaurants disc jockeys and more, along with a couple of neon clocks, which were very common in the 1960's.
Photo: Another view of the dining room looking toward the kitchen gives a good idea of how many photos decorate the walls.
Photo: Retro diners are adored by breakfast lovers, and Original Mel's Diner is no exception, as breakfast is available any time the restaurant is open.
Photo: The second page of the menu lists "Eggs by the #'s" along with skillets. I went with "Two Eggs Any Style" as I really wasn't in the mood for meat on this early Christmas eve morning.
Photo: After placing my breakfast order, I wandered to the back of the restaurant, where there is a counter with eight stools, and you get a glimpse into the kitchen from the window where the staff picks up orders. Olivia is at work preparing orders, and if you look just below the television monitor, the gentleman is Tony, one of the owners of the restaurant.
Photo: Mel's ketchup is "branded" and there's a bottle of it on every table, which adds a nice touch. On the other hand, my breakfast was so delicious that ketchup wasn't needed, especially on "Mel's Potatoes."
Photo: Meet Olivia, my amazing friendly hostess who treated me like family, and brought my breakfast to me with a smile. Service was very fast, as my breakfast was ready about 20 minutes after I placed my order. There is nothing I love more than friendly staff! I complimented her by telling her, "The only thing better than your delicious food is your amazing service," which brought a smile to her face.
Photo: I'm a happy guy, as Olivia has served my amazing "Two Eggs Any Style" breakfast, which put a smile on my face. Note the remote terminal for the juke box on my table; each table has one. You put coins in the terminal - I didn't note how many - and pick your favorite song, and it will be played for everyone to enjoy. There was 50's and 60's pop music in the background, so I'm assuming the juke box holds a collection of music standards of that period.
Photo: From the "Eggs By The #s" section of the breakfast menu, I went with "Two Eggs Any Style," with "Mel's Potatoes" and a side of "Biscuits and Gravy." It was difficult to make a choice between hash browns and "Mel's Potatoes," but I ended up going with "Mel's Potatoes," as they are unique to Mel's and hash browns are all pretty much the same. Mel's potatoes would make a meal by themselves, as they are simply DELICIOUS! Mel's potatoes are diced, red potatoes, grilled to a beautiful golden brown on the outside, with just the right amount of "crisp," yet are white and tender on the outside. They're seasoned by what the restaurant calls "Mel's Special Seasoning Salt," and topped with grilled white and green onion. What an amazing potato creation! "Mel's Potatoes" will make your day! During future visits to Mel's Original Diner, I will always go with "Mel's Potatoes." If you're one of those who don't care for onions, just tell your server and your potatoes will arrive bare. Caveat: I HIGHLY recommend Mel's onions, as they add a "third dimension" of flavor to the delicious potatoes. Original Mel's Diner doesn't skimp on the biscuits, as my breakfast included two delicious, freshly baked biscuits, covered in fantastic sausage gravy, garnished with bits of parsley. The biscuits were a little different than your average diner's as they weren't quite as light and fluffy as most, but, at least in my opinion, the consistence and texture was perfect for my tastes. They had onion them - which I could taste - which was unlike any other diner biscuit that I've ever had the pleasure to enjoy! Simply amazing and flavorful... The biscuits were covered with Mel's thick, rich sausage gravy, which was garnished with parsley flakes which made for enhanced taste and a beautiful presentation. Mel's gravy is simply delicious! Mel gives you the choice to have your eggs fried your way, and I chose sunnyside up, and my two fried eggs arrived perfectly fried, as ordered, sunnyside up. Two perfectly fried eggs, Mel's amazing potatoes, along with two biscuits covered in gravy... I dare you to find a better breakfast than I enjoyed today at The Original Mel's Diner, located in Auburn, CA.
Photo: "Mel's Potatoes," along with two eggs fried sunnyside up. Note the beauty of "Mel's Potatoes," with the rich golden brown, the slightly crispy outside, the tender inside, and the generous amount of grilled white and green onions. Not only is the breakfast pretty to look at, it was incredibly delicious!
Photo: I placed my eggs on top of "Mel's Potatoes" to make room on the main plate for the biscuits and gravy. I added a little salt and pepper, and I was ready to enjoy an amazing breakfast at Original Mel's Diner, located in Auburn, CA. When you're in the Auburn area, and you're crusin' for fine, retro, classic American diner cuisine, in a friendly, fun "American Graffiti" atmosphere, you'll find everything a "foodie" could dream of at Original Mel's Diner, located in Auburn, CA. Original Mel's Diner Copyright(c) 2022 eRench Productions. All rights reserved. We've been on the web since December 22, 2002.
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