Mel’s Drive-In isn’t just a restaurant—it’s An American Classic. Opened in 1947 by Mel Weiss, it quickly became a fixture of West Coast culture: a neon-lit hangout where people rolled up in Chevys and Cadillacs, grabbed burgers and shakes, and stayed late into the night. The restaurant was famously featured in George Lucas classic American graffiti
Family run and kept up by Mels son Steven Weiss now his grandsons Colton and Chasen Weiss. Walk into any Mel’s today and that spirit is still alive. The diner hums with the sound of sizzling griddles, clinking glasses, and oldies playing through tabletop jukeboxes. There’s nothing fake about it. The booths are real, the chrome is real, and the food is exactly what you want it to be—hot, simple, and satisfying.
Mel’s is known for its classics: burgers with just the right sear, golden onion rings, thick milkshakes served in tall glasses, and stacks of pancakes at all hours. But it’s more than the menu. It’s the feeling of walking into a place that remembers your name, where families, musicians, night owls, and travelers all cross paths.
Still owned and operated by Mel’s family, the legacy continues in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and now Nashville. Each location carries its own local flavor, but the heart stays the same: a timeless, welcoming space that doesn’t chase trends—it holds onto something better. The new Nashville location is taking over the old BB king space at 152 2nd street. We will have a full bar and great food made from scratch!
Mel’s Drive-In is what happens when a place stays true to itself for generations. No gimmicks. No shortcuts. Just honest food, good people, and a little rock-and-roll.
