Breakfast is my favorite meal out. Not brunch-breakfast. I don't want cocktails and the latest version of ______. This place does breakfast. The portions are huge. The coffee is hot. And the eggs are delish. I had an omelet and it was stuffed with cheesy, onion-y, tomoato-y, bacon-y goodness. I had perhaps a third of it and packed up the rest. My breakfast date had the barnyard. It was like an omelet wrapped up in a tortilla and smothered in hollandaise. I would have tried a bite, but I was full. It's busy, but we didn't have to wait for a table. I really don't understand why people will stand around outside waiting to eat eggs and pancakes. Turnaround is fast, but we didn't feel rushed. Added bonus of picking up a coffee to go on out way out the door. Caffeine addicts dream. Can't wait to go back.
(4)
Joe J.
Let's all be honest here. Food is OK. Wait staff not so hot. Moody and/or invisible. Invisible better but sometimes I need more coffee. Mel's not receptive to substitutions. Owner is usually on site but obviously doesn't care. I have been about ten times (don't ask), so my observation is not casual. FYI - I have owned 3 breakfast restaurants in a past life.
(3)
David B.
The owner has a child with allergies so Mel's is very attentive to allergy needs. The service is great. The morning coffee and breakfast sandwiches are a good deal (and better than Dunkin options. The wait staff is friendly.
(3)
Mohan S.
Great dinner. Very good place for breakfast and lunch. Very friendly staff.
(4)
Neil H.
In the ongoing search for great breakfast spots, this one is a solid. You won't walk away hungry. There could be some more creative options on the menu, but if you're looking for a simple and satisfying meal, this is a good choice. And be aware: it can get pretty crowded and hectic on the weekends.
(3)
Nancy G.
Mel's has been a family favorite for close to 20 years. It is always busy but somehow they keep things moving efficiently and in a friendly manner. My favorite salads are the Chinese Salad w/ grilled chicken and the Tuna Mailman. Both of these Mel's originals are consistently fresh and delicious. The restaurant is always clean and well decorated, and I'm continuously amazed at the low staff turnover rate. These guys are doing it right!!
(5)
Rob L.
I went yesterday for lunch with the wife and kids. I had an amazing omelet with a side of bacon and crispy home fries. My wife had a "Mail Man" salad that she loved. Food was very good and we have no complaints whatsoever.
(5)
Jason F.
went here on a sunday morning, was very happy with my experience. there was a line to get seated, but we only waited a few minutes. the coffee was fine, i ordered the meat lovers omelette, something i almost always get at breakfast/brunch places. and this was one of the best ever, so much cheese, sausage, ham, and bacon packed in the eggs. service was great, i would definitely return.
(4)
Ted S.
I was initially put off by the plastic coffee mugs but soon settled in to a warm and vibrant breakfast at Mel's. My son ordered steak and eggs with toast and hash browns. Hash browns were a little undercooked but the eggs, steak, and toast hit the spot and came out quickly. Service was is effecient but didn't include a lot of smiles. 10 ounce glass of milk cost 2.29 which was a bit of a shock. Total bill for two satistifying meals $22.
(3)
Kelli A.
I grew up in the area so finally decided to check out Mel's. My husband and I sat at the counter and waited about 5 minutes for a waitress to come over and greet us (and not introduce herself). The coffee was weak and cold. We both ordered the veggie omelette and were very unimpressed. The toast was cold and chewy and the home fries were either undercooked or overcooked. All of that for $24.00?!?! We will definitely not be returning.
(1)
Jennifer M.
We are regulars at Mel's and I have to say . . . they serve a REAL breakfast. House made hollandaise that melts over my tongue is the beginning and end of a review about a place that serves breakfast. Service is always prompt and pleasant and the food is always delicious. I find their offerings traditional enough to give me exactly what I'm looking for when I want pancakes and bacon yet varied enough to allow me to try new things. I am a real fan of this place.
(5)
Steve R.
Great breakfast food. The service is friendly and quick. We will come back. It was busy, but not packed. The waitress did make a mistake on the order, but they immediately fixed it.
(4)
Zoe S.
My camp calls Mel's their "summer caffeine," great place for iced coffee. The breakfast was really good, I got and liked the eggs with lox, onions, and a bagel.
(4)
Angie M.
My mother and I go up to Boston every April to see some Red Sox games for my birthday. Every year, we stay at the Red Roof Inn in Framingham and last year, we learned about Mel's. When we walked in the door, we were hooked!! Not only is the menu full of delicious items (that tend to change through the seasons) but the decor is cute, homey and charming. We ate there twice this time around (even coming back on the way back from Boston) - the food is decently priced, their pistachio muffins are A-ma-zing and usually sell out fast, but they happened to save me one for my birthday (or so I told myself when it was sitting there in their case, smiling at me) =) You will not be disappointed. Love it here!
(4)
Jared S.
Mel's is a classic spot and I've been coming for 20 years. Unfortunately it's gone downhill over the last 10. Plastic mugs, plastic plates, homefries that likely came in a bag, bacon I can see through. The old time diner feel is gone. A shame, but I'll still keep coming since the only other local option is Dunkin' Donuts (don't need to explain why I prefer a meal at Mel's instead). I must say the staff is great, and a few of them have been working there since I was 7, so they are either related to the owners or really love their job.
(3)
Pizzaioli G.
Good place for breakfast, reasonably priced and not too noisy. Always have a pleasant waitress who is prompt and nice. Meals are average and the place is child friendly.
(3)
Amy T.
This place has gone horribly downhill. This used to be my favorite breakfast place because you would get high quality, healthy options. However, under new management they've really cut corners. The food is pedestrian at best. The home fries were overcooked and hard, the coffee is undrinkable, the grits taste like they are instant grits out of a box, and the formerly fresh squeezed OJ now literally comes out of a machine. My husband and I were extremely disappointed with the food, the service, and how over priced it now is for what you get. And we aren't the only ones - there used to be a line out the door to get into this place on the weekends and now you can walk right in. It's extremely disappointing that somewhere that was once high quality has become so poor that I wish I didn't just waste $37 on a basic breakfast for two.
(1)
Stephen D.
My family and I first went to Mel's when we moved into Wayland over 20 years ago. For many years, it was a great place to have weekend breakfasts at reasonable prices. However, it had been quite a while since we last went to Mel's for breakfast. Times change and prices understandably increase. However, we were surprised at how small the portions were and how tasteless the food was. The skillet breakfast special had been described on the menu as eggs over shredded hash browns with bacon, onions and peppers. The unseasoned potatoes were barely cooked and it was difficult to find any bacon, peppers or onions. The dish was edible but very disappointing. On the way out, I saw the multiple plaques of "Voted Best Breakfast" on the wall but I noticed that they were all dated a few years ago. The Phantom Gourmet last visited the diner in 1990's so that was some time ago as well. It's a shame that the quality has gone down because we use to regularly enjoy breakfast at Mel's.
(2)
David P.
Food was okay - but the service was slow. The hollandaise on my eggs benny was a little thin and the home fries a little undercooked for my tastes. This place was much better 10 years ago. To add insult to injury, they added an additional 10% against the 10% tip I left on my credit card for the lousy service and charged more than I authorized. Don't eat here if you want an honest charge against your CC - only pay by cash.
(1)
Doug M.
We've been going to Mel's for years, but this is a tough review to do. Most importantly, the food is always very good. Eggs bendict is a solid choice - though I'm not sure why they took Alaskan eggs benedict off the menu (it was a favorite). My wife and daughter love the waffles. For lunch, their turkey or tuna club are excellent - one of my favorites. There's usually a wait on weekends, so sometimes we call in and order takeout. When we eat there - the service is hit or miss. I would say that for a place that gets as much business and it located in upscale Wayland - I would think the service would better. The owner is a very nice guy - always smiles, chats with patrons, etc. The problem is that some of the waitresses aren't very friendly and some are just too damn slow. I'm not looking for giggles and cartwheels, but I don't want my day to start off with a surly waitress bringing me my coffee and eggs benny.
(3)
Kyle J.
Let me start off by saying that I grew up in Wayland so I'm totally biased as Mel's is THE hometown diner. This is where we would go during morning free periods in high school to throw down some coffee and the Wayland Warrior breakfast(eggs, pancakes, bagel, sausage, bacon, toast, home fries...pretty much the works) - when I see it on the menu now it scares me to think that I'd usually eat it all with no problem. Now that I've moved back to the Boston area, I try and get out here at least once a month. It's got that down home feel to it - like Mel's has been there for the last 40 years, and they aren't planning on leaving. GOOD! No pretension here, just good food and good coffee for very reasonable prices. Some of the servers don't do backflips, but then again, it's a diner, not a 5 star restaurant. The owner is a great guy, always smiling and chatting with customers as he makes his way around the room. Be careful on weekends as there is usually quite a wait if you dont happen to get there before noon. Large parties (more than 4-5) can be difficult to seat as most of the seating are diner booths, but they do have an area that can accommodate. Back in the day we'd regularly roll in here with 8-10 and they'd take care of us. As an aside, and for what it's worth, when I was a college student and would need that hungover morning life-saving breakfast, I would ALWAYS come to Mel's.
(4)
Jimmy G.
What can I say...I'm a sucker for Egg's Benedicts. Their classic benedict is really good and you can be sure that they will have some kind of twist on it over the weekend (last weekend was Skillet Benedict - eggs benedict over hashed potatoes with onion)
(4)
Andrew R.
Mel's has been a staple in my weekend breakfast tradition for nearly a year now. We have tried four locally owned breakfast locations and settled, distinctly, on Mel's. Why? Mel's menu is reasonably priced and the portions granted are more than enough. I enjoy coming here after a long run and replenish with a healthy (or greasy) option that restocks my calorie count. Trust me when I say the omelet is more than enough. I am normally not a fan of "healthy" options at breakfast joints, being bland and lacking flavor, but Mel's does it right. If egg whites and cottage cheese are not your forte, the French Toast is excellent. The place is packed by 9AM on weekends. However, the staff does a magnificent job seating you, waiting on you and, most importantly, not making you feel rushed. We have been seated while the line was out the door and not once did we feel as if we were being shuffled off by the waitress. The coffee kept coming and we were thanked for our business.
(4)
Michael T.
Remember when you were cool? Young, carefree, had hair? Yea. Before kids, a mortgage, the SUV. You had that diner you used to go to, right? You were the man there. It was your place. You took whats-her-name there after that time with the thing. Yea. You miss that place, don't you my friend? Yea. Me too. This is not that place, but it's probably OK because you are not that man anymore. But if you live in the Western burbs and are looking for a place *like* that, a place to get a promptly poured, life-saving cup of coffee right when you sit down and some eggs to ease your way into the day, this is the place you need to go. Just be careful. Whats-her-name lives in Wayland now, and she married a cop.
(4)
Regina W.
Yes Food Allergy Friendly! Mel's really one me over when they bent way over backwards to accommodate my food allergies. One of the owner's children has food allergies so they are really on top of it. One of the first places that didn't make me feel like a lower life form for having food allergies.
(5)
Andy R.
Great breakfast spot. I had a daily special, the crabcake Eggs Benedict. Hands down the best Eggs Benedict I've ever had. Good food, good coffee, reasonable prices.
(4)
C D.
Great spot with a good atmosphere. Your standard breakfast/lunch fare but done pretty well. Try their muffins, they're delicious!
(4)
Sam M.
5 years ago it would have been 4 stars. But suddenly their portions were smaller and prices were higher. Also seems the quality went down a bit. But man oh man any time I want an All American Omelet (3 Eggs + Corned Beef Hash + American Cheese) I know where to go. I give lunch 2 stars and Bfast 3. So skip the lunch here. You can do better for breakfast, but you could do worse...
(3)
Jeremy K.
im giving them 3.75, but alas no fractional stars, so i rounded up. they are quite tasty for a sunday morning, however, as with anything good metrowest, the line of people waiting makes me sick to my stomach, i cant believe there are these many yentas in one place outside newton yap yap yap! my doctor this, his wife did that, can you believe this tracksuit only comes in fushca etc..., I feel like im in line with 25 of my mothers. hey, its good eats, average prices and fair service, not much else to go on there.
(4)
Hannah W.
so good!!!! the food is amazing!!!!
(5)
Greg S.
My wife and I take the kids here on the weekends for breakfast. The food is always very good. The kids always get the chocolate chip pancakes which always look fantastic! My wife usually gets some sort of omelet or eggs benedict type dish which again tastes greats. I am a fan of the malted Belgian style waffle with whipped cream and bananas! Haven't been there for lunch, so I cannot comment. I tend to think of this place as a great breakfast joint. Enjoy!
(4)
Kristen F.
I work near hear so come for lunch during the week quite often. Menu is huge and all the food is good, diner food. Prices are reasonable. Sometimes there are too many kids (not the restaurants fault) and there is one certain waitress who is sooo slow (and kinda brainless) but she's old and probably been there as long as the place has been open, so I'll cut some slack. Family owned and has some history to it, and most employees have been there 10+ years. I'm happy this place is down the street from my place of employment.
(4)
Michael K.
Mels is pretty good. The place is huge, so you usually don't have to wait. The food is average for a breakfast place. Don't get steak and eggs, the steak is weak. Regular wait staff are OK at best, but the owner and seasoned staff are great and very attentive. I would give it 3 stars, but i got whipped up an awesome mimosa one time. They don't generally serve mimosas, but i asked someone that seemed like the owner and he whipped me up a mango smoothie mimosa that was easily the best champagne based drink Ive ever had.
(4)
B R.
Overpriced. Slow. raw home fries every freakin time. omelets are not that big. pretty good french toast. A couple of the waitresses are nice once they get to know you. Owners are low on social skills.
(2)
Laurie P.
The staff is great but the food is so-so and very overpriced. The breakfast special is a great deal though. (coffee & egg sandwich for $1.99!) 9 times out of 10 my lunch order gets screwed up. The last time I got lunch here I waited 20 minutes after the time they told me to go there to pick up my grilled cheese sandwich to get back to work and find a soggy ham & cheese sandwich...
(2)
Maggie S.
Great food! Always busy but they keep things moving without making you feel rushed.
(4)
Holly M.
The host had a black eye.... seriously! OK so the food wasn't bad but it wasn't anything special either. The floor was extremely dirty and the buspeople made so much noise I could barely hear my friend talking. Seemed like the milkshakes were quite popular, but I only had breakfast. Based on the meal I had, I would not go back. Plenty of better, cheaper, and cleaner places around.
(2)
Morgan S.
I went to Mels Cafe this morning with my father. He just wouldn't keep quiet about how great of a place it is so I decided to go check it out. The place was packed and very very noisy, but we were seated fairly fast on account of our small party. We were seated at a rinky-dinky little table with no elbow room. I ordered a "fresh" fruit and yogurt parfait and french toast and my father ordered a waffle and eggs. I asked for the french toast to be put on hold for a few minutes seeing how the yogurt was served in a huge dish and I was afraid I would not be able to finish the yogurt, let alone the french toast...and believe me when I tell you, the fruit is not fresh, not by a long shot. It's almost thawed out and freezer burned fruit. When the waitress came around with the bill, shortly after the food was brought out, I asked for a to-go container for the un-eaten half of my yogurt and to please put the french toast through. Well, there I sat...and sat...and sat and waited for my breakfast while I watched my father eat his. My breakfast never came. At least the french toast was not on the bill...but I left starving and very angry. That was my first and last visit to Mels Cafe. I was not impressed...not in the least bit.
(1)
Billy Su B.
serve me some sausages and talk down to me, yeah- just like that. mels: a magical place where sausages roam, pancakes frolic, and the waitresses look at you like you just called their mothers big whores.. when really you only asked for a coffee refill. just feels like home. *fuzzy feelings* love the buttery pancakes, love the toasty muffins, love the bacon, love the testy waitresses and one surprisingly friendly host. love. nothin' like a weird semi-trashy breakfast spot in the middle of a bunch of rich people.
(4)
Leo L.
Disappointing. After hearing a few friends rave about it and waiting patiently as the impressive crowds filed through, my expectations were pretty high. Then came the limp waffle with a few thimblefuls of fruit on top (I miss you Soundbites); I could count the amount of french fries on my son's plate (and it's not like they were steak fries); and the coffee was lukewarm and bitter. Top this all off with slow, irritable service and I doubt I'll give this place another chance. Given all the good reviews, I'm sure my experience was out of the norm, but when I want a great breakfast, I don't like to take chances.
(2)
F. B.
The food's OK, here. Parking is easy. The coffee tasted too bitter. I like it, here, for some reason.
(3)
J S.
When my husband and I first moved to the area in 2006 we frequented Mel's on the weekends. It was decent. Not overwhelmingly good but decent food, decent portions, decent prices. Very family friendly (we had an older infant at the time). Then we by chance went for breakfast on a weekday. The food was SO much better. Markedly better. Really delicious. Then we stopped going on the weekends because we'd experienced it so much better during the week. We just went back for breakfast this past weekend and I have to say the food was gross. The place was dirty. Dirty. The hostess was borderline rude. Never cracked a smile. I ordered an veggie omelet and the veggies were frozen, without a doubt. I barely ate it. My younger son had a pancake that was like rubber. Typically he devours pancakes, it's his favorite food. He's 3 and he said "Mummy this is gross" and it was. My husbands breakfast was hash and eggs and the hash was burnt. The whole meal was gross. Seriously, there are so many great breakfast places in the metrowest area that are way WAY WAY better than Mel's. Check out J and M's in Framingham. The breakfasts are fabulous, always. Don't waste your time with Mel's.
(1)
Han K.
It's a really nice breakfast joint and the eggs bene they do are pretty tasty, but in the end it's really not that much better than other breakfast places in the area, and the prices are a little high for what you get.
(3)
Joseph G.
I have been doing a breakfast cheap eats for the past few weeks and this is by far the best coffee I've had. But I can only give it a satisfactory rating, which I will elaborate. So the best thing was the good coffee, I can't stress the importance of a good cup of coffee at 7:30 in the morning. Clean dining room, the waitress was a little curt with my dining companions because they are a little Sally-esque (When Harry met Sally), asking how everything is cooked what's in it, blah, blah, blah, just eat it and if you don't like it put some bacon on it. Bacon makes everything better! I had the supreme omelet, [it had bacon in it =)] the one thing I can't stand is raw onions and this thing had a pound of onion in it, at least I could pick most of it out. J.L. had the lite fresh toast 500 calories, good but very heavy/dense. J.M. had the veggie omelet and once again the veggies were undercooked. This was my first time, maybe the second time around will be better, I always try to gave a place a second chance.
(3)
Ruby D.
A solid breakfast and lunch spot that is busy with all the locals. If you are hungry, this place will fill you up. Huge breakfasts, big salads and good service are what this family owned spot is known for. Nothing very fancy here; just the basics done pretty well.
(4)
Stacey D.
This is a great weekend breakfast/brunch spot! I'd driven by here millions of times and finally dropped in one Saturday and was greeted by super-friendly service, a great menu (typical b-fast fare) and good prices. I had an enormous omlette & homefries for under $10 - delicious. The place appeared to be nice and clean too, which is always a plus :) Nothing fancy, just simple local place with good food and service. Seems like it was mostly filled with local families who return every weekend.
(4)
Rainbaby K.
This place is great for breakfast on the weekends. They serve off their breakfast menu all day on Saturday and Sunday. So, no matter how late you sleep you can always go to Mel's and get something yummy. The food is good and I really like this place because they offer so many different breakfast options. They have the normal greasy spoon food but they also serve some healthier choices like yogurt pancakes, turkey sausage, egg white omelets. I'm getting hungry. Good thing tomorrow is Saturday.
(4)
Dorian G.
another lunch with work people. the service was a little slow but the restaurant was jam packed, so at least there was a reason. had the chicken tender wrap with salad. the chicken was hot and seasoned really nicely. sodas were refilled for free, and the sweet potato fries we all shared were really good...and i dont like sweet potatoes. i wish i lived closer by so i could frequent this place more. i have a feeling it would satisfy my NY diner craving very well.
(4)
Alexis C.
This restaurant is the place to go for weekend brunch. I am particularly a big fan of the Crab Cake Benedict. It is a great place to go with a big group or just you and a friend or significant other. The service is wonderful and waitresses are always friendly. My only complaint is that there is often a wait for a table but I am convinced the food is worth the wait! If you are looking for a hearty brunch this place will certainly fill you up.
(4)
Wayland D.
Thank you Mel's for hosting the Father - Daugther/Son breakfast each month. What a great time and awesome tradition! The omelets our off the charts!! waylanddads.org
(5)
Michael P.
I typically get the salads because that is the easiest thing for the gluten free sufferer. They are famous for their Mailman salad. Lots of meat and veggies. The sizes are enormous and very tasty. Great breakfast and lunch options to choose from. I've had many business lunches here and been satisfied each time.
(4)
Julia D.
I've only eaten here once for breakfast but overall was very pleased with the experience. I ordered the eggs Benedict and chocolate chip pancake and both were delicious! Definitely will be back here in the future.
(4)
Yelp R.
I've Been to this place about 5 times in the last few years. Every time the story is the same. The wait staff are terribly unfriendly, it always seems like they are doing you a favor by providing you with mediocre service. The food is always okay. Never good, never great, only acceptable. The price is average. ...But the service is unforgivable!! It's like being waited on by Patty and Selma Bouvier (from The Simpsons) and eating at Dicks Last Resort...
(2)
Brian P.
I'd say most of the previous reviews were pretty much right on. We ordered a belgian waffle and an omelette. Food was average or below average. When I go out to eat, I want something better than what I could make myself at home. Atmosphere was lacking as well. It's disappointing, we moved to Wayland 9 months ago, and there really isn't one decent place to get breakfast around here. If it wasn't for Sudbury Pizza, there wouldn't be a decent pizza place either! It's crazy because the people in the town have money to spend. And Wayland isn't in the Berkshires, it's 5 minutes off Rte 95. If any great restaurant or diner ever came here, they'd likely have the entire town (and probably neighboring towns) as customers.
(2)
Katy F.
The floors are dirty. The tables are dirty. The chairs are dirty. Bathrooms stink. Even the salt and pepper shakers are greasy. This place needs to be steam cleaned and fast, or torn down. Absolutely the worst bacon I've ever had. It's days old and reheated just for you! Walk out the back door and take a good, long whiff. Stinks back there. You'll never want to go back. What would be nice if only the wait staff would say hi to you when you walk in -- mostly they act like they don't want you there. They need Gordon Ramsey.
(1)
Shoel P.
Finally found a place that serves proper diner style breakfast and does it right --- and is open early enough for breakfast at a normal time! My only regret is that it took me two years of living in the area to find and try this place!
(4)
Samuel H.
A pretty good diner, not the best in the world but good memories here and usually very good service, it's a nice place.
(3)
Eric T.
Mel's is, as was first described to me, an institution. It's truly local, family friendly, nice waitstaff, and good food. You're not going to get fine dining, and even some of the basics, like bacon and eggs, can be so-so. But if you're looking for great hash or a (surprisingly) good burger, Mel's is your place. (If they could up the coffee game, we'd be in 4-star territory, but a diner's a diner.)
(3)
Jodie F.
I agree with several of the other reviews here. I've lived in the area for four years and it's one of the only "diners" around, so we have limited choices if we want to eat out with two kids for breakfast...and they seem to treat you as if they know that best. We've never had super service, it is very gross and dirty inside, and the elderly locals and regulars seem to be more welcomed and accepted than the occasional or new customer. The last time we went, I got the brunt of our waitresses attitude, which resulted in my speaking right back up to her. I was all set in being treated like I was a nuisance. She wouldn't look at us, she mumbled whatever she had to say under her breath so we couldn't understand her ("would you like tea or coffee" was unintelligible mumbles as she walked away), and made it clear we were a bother. So, I told her just that and I let it out. She looked at me for the first time (made eye contact) and apologized. Her whole attitude changed and her posture straightened out. She smiled and spoke more clearly and without tension and bitterness. She apologized again and gave a more lengthy explanation for her prior behavior- as well as a $25.00 gift card because she wanted us to return again.
(1)
Lindsey M.
This place is very cute! Been here a few times! The breakfast is alright and the service is alright! I ordered from their specials...two scrambled eggs with cheese, two French toast, and two slices of bacon. My eggs had two slices of cheese not at all melted on them..my French toast was a bit soggy, and my bacon looked as if it were barely cooked! The potatoes that can't with the meal were nice and crispy but lacked in flavor so I definitely needed ketchup for them! I also ordered a kids meal that the lady did not give me the drink for but charged me for the whole meal so I nicely asked for the drink to go and she brought it to me! Over all if your looking for a quick and alright breakfast this place is good! If you want a really good tasting breakfast and have time then your better off somewhere else! I'm sure I'll be back as it is kid friendly and close to home!
(3)
Michelle C.
I go back and forth with this place, sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad. I wish they had better breakfast real potatoes and used real hollandaise sauce. Sometimes the service is good, other times its not. For a while, I was getting the breakfast sandwiches, which could be really great....and then other times, they forget to put stuff on them, which stinks when you get home and find it missing. Would love some consistency here....then maybe I'd come more often.
(2)
Michael K.
If you're looking for a good breakfast at a good price, look no further. Mel's is a back to basics diner with lots of breakfast options. I am boring and always get the eggs/homefries/toast and Mel's makes as good as anyone. My only complaint is the coffee which 8 very watered down. So just bring your own from D&D or Buckies.
(3)
Tim Y.
Great local gem! Had the corned beef hash and eggs. This place has an old school "diner" type of feel. The servers were attentive. They give out coloring pages and crayons for the kids. Plenty of parking spaces in the private lot. I'd definitely come back next time I'm in town...
(4)
Jessie C.
Meh. We were very excited to try this place for breakfast but I think we stick with cooking breakfast at home. Best part of the meal was the coffee. Pancakes were gummy and potatoes were not breakfast potatoes, they were covered in thyme and rosemary. No thanks.
(1)
Leah C.
Ugh! So much for fast service and tasty breakfast. We arrived just after the morning rush and it seemed the servers were too exhausted to work anymore. I food arrived late and it was just your average diner, nothing exceptional. It was also almost $40 for just the two of us. Too pricey!
(3)
Hannah B.
LOVE this place for weekend brunch! Huge fan of the "Famous Eggs Bennedict" and all of the ways you can mix and match/replace different sides. Old fashion diner feel with quick service and good coffee. the wait can be a little long on the weekends, but i would say it's worth it!
(4)
Melissa K.
Walking in during lunch hour the place was rather empty; that should have been a sign to is. The place was empty yet we were seated on top of another couple.Worst eggs ever they tasted like rubber. The place is also dirty too.
(2)
Amanda S.
I love it here and have for years! Great food, great service! Usually a wait on Sundays but it's so worth it! All they need to add to the menu are mimosas ;)
(4)
Ralph Z.
Popped into Mel's as so many in the neighborhood give it raves. Nice burger place atmosphere with a full diner grade menu. Had to get a double 1/3 + 1/3 lb burger, because they did not charge that much for a 2nd patty, and well, it all starts with the meat. Two juicy 6 oz. burger charbroiled to perfection topped with the cheese of your choice, which in my case was American with the standard toppings, lettuce, tomato, pickle & sliced red onion. A real bakery roll and the included side of fries meant I would not eat again till the next day. A Darn Good Burger (See: facebook.com/MightyTasty… ) with at least some pink inside, not quite the medium rare I wanted, but very eatable. My wife got an oriental chicken salad which was decent, but not overwhelming. There were enough lunch salad choices to bring us back again & again. The coffee was not gourmet, but OK. I always hope I can find coffee worth getting but at home we use Black Bear in a Chemex, and that is tough competition for a restaurant to go against. (see: blackbearcoffee.com for online purchasing!)
(4)
Maria D.
This is one of the cutest little places. I work across the street and go there whenever I am craving something or am too lazy to pack lunch. The people that work there Re super friendly and always serve your meal with a smile. I normally get take out but have sat in the restaurant once where the waitress was very kind. The prices a very reasonable. A great deal that they have is a coffee and breakfast sandwich for under $5. I'm not a huge fan of their coffee but their breakfast sandwiches are very good.
(3)
Hannah C.
If you're looking for a solid local eatery filled with heart stopping cholesterol, and flavors your Nana used to cook up at home with a hefty helping of Crisco... This is the place. You will not find spices recently discovered in a small unique crop in Tibet here. The crowd is not hip. It's grey. The service is A-OK. The decor is not trendy. So wander in in your favorite LL Bean duds, order a plate of fish and chips, and enjoy. PS: If they're serving the split pea and ham soup, don't miss out.
(4)
Tom G.
Great for breakfast. Opens at 6am and easy for before work meetings. Simple good food and friendly staff.
(4)
Sarah C.
This is a great spot for breakfast and lunch! I am not a huge breakfast fan so I typically come here for their lunch specials. They are always friendly and greet you when you come in. I love the smell of the different flavors of fresh coffee when you walk in the door - hazelnut and vanilla and caramel - that alone makes me want to go there! They have a wide variety of breakfast and sandwich offerings with daily specials. My favorite sandwich is the meatloaf sandwich - always comes out with melted cheese and toasted perfectly and the meatloaf has great flavor. Girls I come with always order different types of breakfast plates and there is never a crumb left afterwards. I recently tried one of their burgers and it was super fresh and really good. You must try the pasta salad when you come here - it is the best! Sometimes the wait staff can be a bit slow when it comes to getting you your check and then getting you out of there - which I usually would not mind but we are always in there on our lunch break. The food and general atmosphere is so good I can't knock them a star for that. They also deliver in a small radius around them - which is perfect for days you are craving them and can't get away from your desk!! We recently ordered Mel's catering for two work functions - I will review this portion shortly!
(4)
Karyn V.
The food is very average at best, and the service is less so. Some days the food is pretty good, but usually it disappoints. I much prefer J&M Diner for breakfast. I am glad I found it, and I have been longing for something better.
(3)
KEith J.
Got one of those pay $10 for $20 worth of food deals so I decided to check this place out. At lunchtime on a Monday it was crowded and somewhat noisy. Starting off the coffee, not so good, was close to room temperature. After informing the waitress she returned with a fresh hot cup. I was going to order a Ruben and asked the waitress if the corned beef was brisket or round ... Her answer was ... We make it here. I ended up ordering the Philly cheesesteak roll up. They didn't drain or blot the grease from the meat so the plate side of the roll up was sitting in grease that I didn't see but felt as I picked the sandwich up . The fries were OK but tasted like made from frozen. The waitress brought water one with no ice the other with very little ice. The good news ... My companion had an omelette with silver dollar pancakes which was pretty good. I'm not a foodie just like good food at reasonable prices. This place was OK but just OK. Don't look for my car in the p raking lot anytime soon.
(2)
Steve B.
Came here because my usual breakfast favorite (Maugus) was closed for family vacation time. Between the scowling waitress, greasy omelet, and weak coffee I can't find much to recommend about this place. Won't be back anytime soon.
(1)
Len S.
Six of us went today for breakfast. Food was good, service was good and the waitress (older woman) smiled. Unsure why so many had negative reports about the place. Omelets were tasty, no complaints. Keeping in mind it is a "diner" and not a fancy restaurant, I'd go back.
(4)
Steve S.
I've been going to Mel's all my life. Before it was a "Commonwealth Cafe." When the "Postman Salad" was ordered by actual postmen. It was, and is, a diner with solid food choices and a rarely disappointing breakfast or lunch. The problem is that it's no longer run by Mel. His son runs it, and apparently the staff runs roughshod over him. They are rude beyond all reason. When asked what the soup of the day was, one of the women answered - no joking - "How should I know?" The hostess who is usually at the front is unsmiling, unkind and unwilling to bend the letter of the law. Many of the waitresses have been there way too long, apparently, and just don't care about their longtime customers. There are few choices in Wayland (hence the eternally puzzling popularity of The Villa), so there will always be customers at Mel's. I just wish I could enjoy the service there as much as the food.
(2)
Ken R.
Used to be okay, but the breakfasts have simply gotten too inconsistent. After one too many times waiting too long and another serving of cold pancakes, we decided it wasn't worth the times they get it right.
(2)
Shani F.
I was seated immediately and the food was ordered and out within 15 minutes. The broccoli and mushroom omelet was very good (definitely frozen broccoli). The home fries were excellent.
(4)
Abigail B.
Honestly, it's pretty bad, but people love it anyway. It's really the only breakfast/diner place in town, so we take what we get. The staff are okay, but sometimes inattentive, and the wait for the food can be REALLY long. The food itself isn't great. I often get pancakes. but there's nothing really special about them, nor with the eggs or oatmeal...usually I leave thinking, "why did I come here?" If you're hungry for breakfast, go, but don't expect to be blown away. Also the homefries are pretty flavorless. You can't even call yourself a diner unless you have good homefries, in my opinion.
(2)
F T.
Reliable for Sunday brunch. A family favorite, especially when we have visitors from out of town.
(4)
Amanda K.
I have tried this place a couple times after moving to the area a year ago. Every time I have gone; the food as been OK, the coffee hasn't been good, and the service has been extremely rude. I gave them a fair shot, I won't be going back.
(2)
Cynthia A.
The best breakfast spot in the area, I normally do not wait to eat anywhere for breakfast, but here it is worth it. They have such a great selection. The prices are reasonable. Excellent service every time. My kids just love it!
(5)
Patricia M.
Food is good waitress was a little abrupt at first, but it got better. I think they have regulars and we were new faces
(3)
Di B.
My mother and I stopped here for breakfast. We started out with decaf coffee. We ordered the light french toast and the egg special with toast and home fries with bacon. Everything came out practically white. The french toast had no color to it like it was put in a microwave and soggy. The toast and egg were fine, but the home fries had no color. The bacon was limp, but I realize I did not ask for it crispy and that is a personal preference. After thinking about it, I really think all these things WERE cooked in a microwave. The waitress came back with the bill, filled my mother's cup with regular coffee and started to fill mine with the same. Neither one of us can drink caffeine because of heart problems. I stopped her from filling mine up and asked if it was decaf and she said no, she would bring over decaf. No apology for giving my mother regular coffee and she never came back. A total waste of money. We will not return there.
(1)
Tall G.
Took my mother for breakfast this morning and I was surprised it was pretty quiet for a weekday morning. I got the Two, Two, Two breakfast special and my mom got the #1 Famous Eggs Benedict. Both of our home fries were very dry and my mom's were even partially burnt. The bacon was undercooked but my french toast and eggs were good. Mom's Benedict was just OK. The service wasn't great. Our waitress seemed like she was in a bad mood. She didn't greet us with a smile and it took talking to the manager to get a second cup of coffee. It's too bad that Mel's has gone so far down hill quality wise because their food and service used to be amazing. We won't be back.
(1)
Elliot G.
Mel's has the best breakfast and lunch in the area - much better than the fancy Boston restaurants. The food is great and the prices reasonable. The service was outstanding - many of the waitresses have been there for man years. The owners are always there and make sure that everything is running smoothly. I highly recommend it.
(5)
alan m.
I have been at Mel's twice in the last week. My lobster roll was the worst ever. The lobster did not taste like fresh lobster. Today, my french toast was of the Eggo variety. Simply warmed up in the microwave. Certainly, not recently cooked. Has Mel's been sold? I cannot believe this is the same management!! Whatever the reason, this place has slid downhill almost overnight !
(1)
Georgina C.
I've been coming to Mel's since I was a toddler when I'd come in with my mother and get a hot chocolate topped high with a yummy swirl of thick whipped cream. Fast forward to my twenties I'm still coming here for Sunday or Saturday brunches after a night of drinking. I love their Irish eggs benedict that has corned beef hash instead of Canadian bacon. Wonderful!
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Cee Cee S.
Breakfast is my favorite meal out. Not brunch-breakfast. I don't want cocktails and the latest version of ______. This place does breakfast. The portions are huge. The coffee is hot. And the eggs are delish. I had an omelet and it was stuffed with cheesy, onion-y, tomoato-y, bacon-y goodness. I had perhaps a third of it and packed up the rest. My breakfast date had the barnyard. It was like an omelet wrapped up in a tortilla and smothered in hollandaise. I would have tried a bite, but I was full. It's busy, but we didn't have to wait for a table. I really don't understand why people will stand around outside waiting to eat eggs and pancakes. Turnaround is fast, but we didn't feel rushed. Added bonus of picking up a coffee to go on out way out the door. Caffeine addicts dream. Can't wait to go back.
(4)Joe J.
Let's all be honest here. Food is OK. Wait staff not so hot. Moody and/or invisible. Invisible better but sometimes I need more coffee. Mel's not receptive to substitutions. Owner is usually on site but obviously doesn't care. I have been about ten times (don't ask), so my observation is not casual. FYI - I have owned 3 breakfast restaurants in a past life.
(3)David B.
The owner has a child with allergies so Mel's is very attentive to allergy needs. The service is great. The morning coffee and breakfast sandwiches are a good deal (and better than Dunkin options. The wait staff is friendly.
(3)Mohan S.
Great dinner. Very good place for breakfast and lunch. Very friendly staff.
(4)Neil H.
In the ongoing search for great breakfast spots, this one is a solid. You won't walk away hungry. There could be some more creative options on the menu, but if you're looking for a simple and satisfying meal, this is a good choice. And be aware: it can get pretty crowded and hectic on the weekends.
(3)Nancy G.
Mel's has been a family favorite for close to 20 years. It is always busy but somehow they keep things moving efficiently and in a friendly manner. My favorite salads are the Chinese Salad w/ grilled chicken and the Tuna Mailman. Both of these Mel's originals are consistently fresh and delicious. The restaurant is always clean and well decorated, and I'm continuously amazed at the low staff turnover rate. These guys are doing it right!!
(5)Rob L.
I went yesterday for lunch with the wife and kids. I had an amazing omelet with a side of bacon and crispy home fries. My wife had a "Mail Man" salad that she loved. Food was very good and we have no complaints whatsoever.
(5)Jason F.
went here on a sunday morning, was very happy with my experience. there was a line to get seated, but we only waited a few minutes. the coffee was fine, i ordered the meat lovers omelette, something i almost always get at breakfast/brunch places. and this was one of the best ever, so much cheese, sausage, ham, and bacon packed in the eggs. service was great, i would definitely return.
(4)Ted S.
I was initially put off by the plastic coffee mugs but soon settled in to a warm and vibrant breakfast at Mel's. My son ordered steak and eggs with toast and hash browns. Hash browns were a little undercooked but the eggs, steak, and toast hit the spot and came out quickly. Service was is effecient but didn't include a lot of smiles. 10 ounce glass of milk cost 2.29 which was a bit of a shock. Total bill for two satistifying meals $22.
(3)Kelli A.
I grew up in the area so finally decided to check out Mel's. My husband and I sat at the counter and waited about 5 minutes for a waitress to come over and greet us (and not introduce herself). The coffee was weak and cold. We both ordered the veggie omelette and were very unimpressed. The toast was cold and chewy and the home fries were either undercooked or overcooked. All of that for $24.00?!?! We will definitely not be returning.
(1)Jennifer M.
We are regulars at Mel's and I have to say . . . they serve a REAL breakfast. House made hollandaise that melts over my tongue is the beginning and end of a review about a place that serves breakfast. Service is always prompt and pleasant and the food is always delicious. I find their offerings traditional enough to give me exactly what I'm looking for when I want pancakes and bacon yet varied enough to allow me to try new things. I am a real fan of this place.
(5)Steve R.
Great breakfast food. The service is friendly and quick. We will come back. It was busy, but not packed. The waitress did make a mistake on the order, but they immediately fixed it.
(4)Zoe S.
My camp calls Mel's their "summer caffeine," great place for iced coffee. The breakfast was really good, I got and liked the eggs with lox, onions, and a bagel.
(4)Angie M.
My mother and I go up to Boston every April to see some Red Sox games for my birthday. Every year, we stay at the Red Roof Inn in Framingham and last year, we learned about Mel's. When we walked in the door, we were hooked!! Not only is the menu full of delicious items (that tend to change through the seasons) but the decor is cute, homey and charming. We ate there twice this time around (even coming back on the way back from Boston) - the food is decently priced, their pistachio muffins are A-ma-zing and usually sell out fast, but they happened to save me one for my birthday (or so I told myself when it was sitting there in their case, smiling at me) =) You will not be disappointed. Love it here!
(4)Jared S.
Mel's is a classic spot and I've been coming for 20 years. Unfortunately it's gone downhill over the last 10. Plastic mugs, plastic plates, homefries that likely came in a bag, bacon I can see through. The old time diner feel is gone. A shame, but I'll still keep coming since the only other local option is Dunkin' Donuts (don't need to explain why I prefer a meal at Mel's instead). I must say the staff is great, and a few of them have been working there since I was 7, so they are either related to the owners or really love their job.
(3)Pizzaioli G.
Good place for breakfast, reasonably priced and not too noisy. Always have a pleasant waitress who is prompt and nice. Meals are average and the place is child friendly.
(3)Amy T.
This place has gone horribly downhill. This used to be my favorite breakfast place because you would get high quality, healthy options. However, under new management they've really cut corners. The food is pedestrian at best. The home fries were overcooked and hard, the coffee is undrinkable, the grits taste like they are instant grits out of a box, and the formerly fresh squeezed OJ now literally comes out of a machine. My husband and I were extremely disappointed with the food, the service, and how over priced it now is for what you get. And we aren't the only ones - there used to be a line out the door to get into this place on the weekends and now you can walk right in. It's extremely disappointing that somewhere that was once high quality has become so poor that I wish I didn't just waste $37 on a basic breakfast for two.
(1)Stephen D.
My family and I first went to Mel's when we moved into Wayland over 20 years ago. For many years, it was a great place to have weekend breakfasts at reasonable prices. However, it had been quite a while since we last went to Mel's for breakfast. Times change and prices understandably increase. However, we were surprised at how small the portions were and how tasteless the food was. The skillet breakfast special had been described on the menu as eggs over shredded hash browns with bacon, onions and peppers. The unseasoned potatoes were barely cooked and it was difficult to find any bacon, peppers or onions. The dish was edible but very disappointing. On the way out, I saw the multiple plaques of "Voted Best Breakfast" on the wall but I noticed that they were all dated a few years ago. The Phantom Gourmet last visited the diner in 1990's so that was some time ago as well. It's a shame that the quality has gone down because we use to regularly enjoy breakfast at Mel's.
(2)David P.
Food was okay - but the service was slow. The hollandaise on my eggs benny was a little thin and the home fries a little undercooked for my tastes. This place was much better 10 years ago. To add insult to injury, they added an additional 10% against the 10% tip I left on my credit card for the lousy service and charged more than I authorized. Don't eat here if you want an honest charge against your CC - only pay by cash.
(1)Doug M.
We've been going to Mel's for years, but this is a tough review to do. Most importantly, the food is always very good. Eggs bendict is a solid choice - though I'm not sure why they took Alaskan eggs benedict off the menu (it was a favorite). My wife and daughter love the waffles. For lunch, their turkey or tuna club are excellent - one of my favorites. There's usually a wait on weekends, so sometimes we call in and order takeout. When we eat there - the service is hit or miss. I would say that for a place that gets as much business and it located in upscale Wayland - I would think the service would better. The owner is a very nice guy - always smiles, chats with patrons, etc. The problem is that some of the waitresses aren't very friendly and some are just too damn slow. I'm not looking for giggles and cartwheels, but I don't want my day to start off with a surly waitress bringing me my coffee and eggs benny.
(3)Kyle J.
Let me start off by saying that I grew up in Wayland so I'm totally biased as Mel's is THE hometown diner. This is where we would go during morning free periods in high school to throw down some coffee and the Wayland Warrior breakfast(eggs, pancakes, bagel, sausage, bacon, toast, home fries...pretty much the works) - when I see it on the menu now it scares me to think that I'd usually eat it all with no problem. Now that I've moved back to the Boston area, I try and get out here at least once a month. It's got that down home feel to it - like Mel's has been there for the last 40 years, and they aren't planning on leaving. GOOD! No pretension here, just good food and good coffee for very reasonable prices. Some of the servers don't do backflips, but then again, it's a diner, not a 5 star restaurant. The owner is a great guy, always smiling and chatting with customers as he makes his way around the room. Be careful on weekends as there is usually quite a wait if you dont happen to get there before noon. Large parties (more than 4-5) can be difficult to seat as most of the seating are diner booths, but they do have an area that can accommodate. Back in the day we'd regularly roll in here with 8-10 and they'd take care of us. As an aside, and for what it's worth, when I was a college student and would need that hungover morning life-saving breakfast, I would ALWAYS come to Mel's.
(4)Jimmy G.
What can I say...I'm a sucker for Egg's Benedicts. Their classic benedict is really good and you can be sure that they will have some kind of twist on it over the weekend (last weekend was Skillet Benedict - eggs benedict over hashed potatoes with onion)
(4)Andrew R.
Mel's has been a staple in my weekend breakfast tradition for nearly a year now. We have tried four locally owned breakfast locations and settled, distinctly, on Mel's. Why? Mel's menu is reasonably priced and the portions granted are more than enough. I enjoy coming here after a long run and replenish with a healthy (or greasy) option that restocks my calorie count. Trust me when I say the omelet is more than enough. I am normally not a fan of "healthy" options at breakfast joints, being bland and lacking flavor, but Mel's does it right. If egg whites and cottage cheese are not your forte, the French Toast is excellent. The place is packed by 9AM on weekends. However, the staff does a magnificent job seating you, waiting on you and, most importantly, not making you feel rushed. We have been seated while the line was out the door and not once did we feel as if we were being shuffled off by the waitress. The coffee kept coming and we were thanked for our business.
(4)Michael T.
Remember when you were cool? Young, carefree, had hair? Yea. Before kids, a mortgage, the SUV. You had that diner you used to go to, right? You were the man there. It was your place. You took whats-her-name there after that time with the thing. Yea. You miss that place, don't you my friend? Yea. Me too. This is not that place, but it's probably OK because you are not that man anymore. But if you live in the Western burbs and are looking for a place *like* that, a place to get a promptly poured, life-saving cup of coffee right when you sit down and some eggs to ease your way into the day, this is the place you need to go. Just be careful. Whats-her-name lives in Wayland now, and she married a cop.
(4)Regina W.
Yes Food Allergy Friendly! Mel's really one me over when they bent way over backwards to accommodate my food allergies. One of the owner's children has food allergies so they are really on top of it. One of the first places that didn't make me feel like a lower life form for having food allergies.
(5)Andy R.
Great breakfast spot. I had a daily special, the crabcake Eggs Benedict. Hands down the best Eggs Benedict I've ever had. Good food, good coffee, reasonable prices.
(4)C D.
Great spot with a good atmosphere. Your standard breakfast/lunch fare but done pretty well. Try their muffins, they're delicious!
(4)Sam M.
5 years ago it would have been 4 stars. But suddenly their portions were smaller and prices were higher. Also seems the quality went down a bit. But man oh man any time I want an All American Omelet (3 Eggs + Corned Beef Hash + American Cheese) I know where to go. I give lunch 2 stars and Bfast 3. So skip the lunch here. You can do better for breakfast, but you could do worse...
(3)Jeremy K.
im giving them 3.75, but alas no fractional stars, so i rounded up. they are quite tasty for a sunday morning, however, as with anything good metrowest, the line of people waiting makes me sick to my stomach, i cant believe there are these many yentas in one place outside newton yap yap yap! my doctor this, his wife did that, can you believe this tracksuit only comes in fushca etc..., I feel like im in line with 25 of my mothers. hey, its good eats, average prices and fair service, not much else to go on there.
(4)Hannah W.
so good!!!! the food is amazing!!!!
(5)Greg S.
My wife and I take the kids here on the weekends for breakfast. The food is always very good. The kids always get the chocolate chip pancakes which always look fantastic! My wife usually gets some sort of omelet or eggs benedict type dish which again tastes greats. I am a fan of the malted Belgian style waffle with whipped cream and bananas! Haven't been there for lunch, so I cannot comment. I tend to think of this place as a great breakfast joint. Enjoy!
(4)Kristen F.
I work near hear so come for lunch during the week quite often. Menu is huge and all the food is good, diner food. Prices are reasonable. Sometimes there are too many kids (not the restaurants fault) and there is one certain waitress who is sooo slow (and kinda brainless) but she's old and probably been there as long as the place has been open, so I'll cut some slack. Family owned and has some history to it, and most employees have been there 10+ years. I'm happy this place is down the street from my place of employment.
(4)Michael K.
Mels is pretty good. The place is huge, so you usually don't have to wait. The food is average for a breakfast place. Don't get steak and eggs, the steak is weak. Regular wait staff are OK at best, but the owner and seasoned staff are great and very attentive. I would give it 3 stars, but i got whipped up an awesome mimosa one time. They don't generally serve mimosas, but i asked someone that seemed like the owner and he whipped me up a mango smoothie mimosa that was easily the best champagne based drink Ive ever had.
(4)B R.
Overpriced. Slow. raw home fries every freakin time. omelets are not that big. pretty good french toast. A couple of the waitresses are nice once they get to know you. Owners are low on social skills.
(2)Laurie P.
The staff is great but the food is so-so and very overpriced. The breakfast special is a great deal though. (coffee & egg sandwich for $1.99!) 9 times out of 10 my lunch order gets screwed up. The last time I got lunch here I waited 20 minutes after the time they told me to go there to pick up my grilled cheese sandwich to get back to work and find a soggy ham & cheese sandwich...
(2)Maggie S.
Great food! Always busy but they keep things moving without making you feel rushed.
(4)Holly M.
The host had a black eye.... seriously! OK so the food wasn't bad but it wasn't anything special either. The floor was extremely dirty and the buspeople made so much noise I could barely hear my friend talking. Seemed like the milkshakes were quite popular, but I only had breakfast. Based on the meal I had, I would not go back. Plenty of better, cheaper, and cleaner places around.
(2)Morgan S.
I went to Mels Cafe this morning with my father. He just wouldn't keep quiet about how great of a place it is so I decided to go check it out. The place was packed and very very noisy, but we were seated fairly fast on account of our small party. We were seated at a rinky-dinky little table with no elbow room. I ordered a "fresh" fruit and yogurt parfait and french toast and my father ordered a waffle and eggs. I asked for the french toast to be put on hold for a few minutes seeing how the yogurt was served in a huge dish and I was afraid I would not be able to finish the yogurt, let alone the french toast...and believe me when I tell you, the fruit is not fresh, not by a long shot. It's almost thawed out and freezer burned fruit. When the waitress came around with the bill, shortly after the food was brought out, I asked for a to-go container for the un-eaten half of my yogurt and to please put the french toast through. Well, there I sat...and sat...and sat and waited for my breakfast while I watched my father eat his. My breakfast never came. At least the french toast was not on the bill...but I left starving and very angry. That was my first and last visit to Mels Cafe. I was not impressed...not in the least bit.
(1)Billy Su B.
serve me some sausages and talk down to me, yeah- just like that. mels: a magical place where sausages roam, pancakes frolic, and the waitresses look at you like you just called their mothers big whores.. when really you only asked for a coffee refill. just feels like home. *fuzzy feelings* love the buttery pancakes, love the toasty muffins, love the bacon, love the testy waitresses and one surprisingly friendly host. love. nothin' like a weird semi-trashy breakfast spot in the middle of a bunch of rich people.
(4)Leo L.
Disappointing. After hearing a few friends rave about it and waiting patiently as the impressive crowds filed through, my expectations were pretty high. Then came the limp waffle with a few thimblefuls of fruit on top (I miss you Soundbites); I could count the amount of french fries on my son's plate (and it's not like they were steak fries); and the coffee was lukewarm and bitter. Top this all off with slow, irritable service and I doubt I'll give this place another chance. Given all the good reviews, I'm sure my experience was out of the norm, but when I want a great breakfast, I don't like to take chances.
(2)F. B.
The food's OK, here. Parking is easy. The coffee tasted too bitter. I like it, here, for some reason.
(3)J S.
When my husband and I first moved to the area in 2006 we frequented Mel's on the weekends. It was decent. Not overwhelmingly good but decent food, decent portions, decent prices. Very family friendly (we had an older infant at the time). Then we by chance went for breakfast on a weekday. The food was SO much better. Markedly better. Really delicious. Then we stopped going on the weekends because we'd experienced it so much better during the week. We just went back for breakfast this past weekend and I have to say the food was gross. The place was dirty. Dirty. The hostess was borderline rude. Never cracked a smile. I ordered an veggie omelet and the veggies were frozen, without a doubt. I barely ate it. My younger son had a pancake that was like rubber. Typically he devours pancakes, it's his favorite food. He's 3 and he said "Mummy this is gross" and it was. My husbands breakfast was hash and eggs and the hash was burnt. The whole meal was gross. Seriously, there are so many great breakfast places in the metrowest area that are way WAY WAY better than Mel's. Check out J and M's in Framingham. The breakfasts are fabulous, always. Don't waste your time with Mel's.
(1)Han K.
It's a really nice breakfast joint and the eggs bene they do are pretty tasty, but in the end it's really not that much better than other breakfast places in the area, and the prices are a little high for what you get.
(3)Joseph G.
I have been doing a breakfast cheap eats for the past few weeks and this is by far the best coffee I've had. But I can only give it a satisfactory rating, which I will elaborate. So the best thing was the good coffee, I can't stress the importance of a good cup of coffee at 7:30 in the morning. Clean dining room, the waitress was a little curt with my dining companions because they are a little Sally-esque (When Harry met Sally), asking how everything is cooked what's in it, blah, blah, blah, just eat it and if you don't like it put some bacon on it. Bacon makes everything better! I had the supreme omelet, [it had bacon in it =)] the one thing I can't stand is raw onions and this thing had a pound of onion in it, at least I could pick most of it out. J.L. had the lite fresh toast 500 calories, good but very heavy/dense. J.M. had the veggie omelet and once again the veggies were undercooked. This was my first time, maybe the second time around will be better, I always try to gave a place a second chance.
(3)Ruby D.
A solid breakfast and lunch spot that is busy with all the locals. If you are hungry, this place will fill you up. Huge breakfasts, big salads and good service are what this family owned spot is known for. Nothing very fancy here; just the basics done pretty well.
(4)Stacey D.
This is a great weekend breakfast/brunch spot! I'd driven by here millions of times and finally dropped in one Saturday and was greeted by super-friendly service, a great menu (typical b-fast fare) and good prices. I had an enormous omlette & homefries for under $10 - delicious. The place appeared to be nice and clean too, which is always a plus :) Nothing fancy, just simple local place with good food and service. Seems like it was mostly filled with local families who return every weekend.
(4)Rainbaby K.
This place is great for breakfast on the weekends. They serve off their breakfast menu all day on Saturday and Sunday. So, no matter how late you sleep you can always go to Mel's and get something yummy. The food is good and I really like this place because they offer so many different breakfast options. They have the normal greasy spoon food but they also serve some healthier choices like yogurt pancakes, turkey sausage, egg white omelets. I'm getting hungry. Good thing tomorrow is Saturday.
(4)Dorian G.
another lunch with work people. the service was a little slow but the restaurant was jam packed, so at least there was a reason. had the chicken tender wrap with salad. the chicken was hot and seasoned really nicely. sodas were refilled for free, and the sweet potato fries we all shared were really good...and i dont like sweet potatoes. i wish i lived closer by so i could frequent this place more. i have a feeling it would satisfy my NY diner craving very well.
(4)Alexis C.
This restaurant is the place to go for weekend brunch. I am particularly a big fan of the Crab Cake Benedict. It is a great place to go with a big group or just you and a friend or significant other. The service is wonderful and waitresses are always friendly. My only complaint is that there is often a wait for a table but I am convinced the food is worth the wait! If you are looking for a hearty brunch this place will certainly fill you up.
(4)Wayland D.
Thank you Mel's for hosting the Father - Daugther/Son breakfast each month. What a great time and awesome tradition! The omelets our off the charts!! waylanddads.org
(5)Michael P.
I typically get the salads because that is the easiest thing for the gluten free sufferer. They are famous for their Mailman salad. Lots of meat and veggies. The sizes are enormous and very tasty. Great breakfast and lunch options to choose from. I've had many business lunches here and been satisfied each time.
(4)Julia D.
I've only eaten here once for breakfast but overall was very pleased with the experience. I ordered the eggs Benedict and chocolate chip pancake and both were delicious! Definitely will be back here in the future.
(4)Yelp R.
I've Been to this place about 5 times in the last few years. Every time the story is the same. The wait staff are terribly unfriendly, it always seems like they are doing you a favor by providing you with mediocre service. The food is always okay. Never good, never great, only acceptable. The price is average. ...But the service is unforgivable!! It's like being waited on by Patty and Selma Bouvier (from The Simpsons) and eating at Dicks Last Resort...
(2)Brian P.
I'd say most of the previous reviews were pretty much right on. We ordered a belgian waffle and an omelette. Food was average or below average. When I go out to eat, I want something better than what I could make myself at home. Atmosphere was lacking as well. It's disappointing, we moved to Wayland 9 months ago, and there really isn't one decent place to get breakfast around here. If it wasn't for Sudbury Pizza, there wouldn't be a decent pizza place either! It's crazy because the people in the town have money to spend. And Wayland isn't in the Berkshires, it's 5 minutes off Rte 95. If any great restaurant or diner ever came here, they'd likely have the entire town (and probably neighboring towns) as customers.
(2)Katy F.
The floors are dirty. The tables are dirty. The chairs are dirty. Bathrooms stink. Even the salt and pepper shakers are greasy. This place needs to be steam cleaned and fast, or torn down. Absolutely the worst bacon I've ever had. It's days old and reheated just for you! Walk out the back door and take a good, long whiff. Stinks back there. You'll never want to go back. What would be nice if only the wait staff would say hi to you when you walk in -- mostly they act like they don't want you there. They need Gordon Ramsey.
(1)Shoel P.
Finally found a place that serves proper diner style breakfast and does it right --- and is open early enough for breakfast at a normal time! My only regret is that it took me two years of living in the area to find and try this place!
(4)Samuel H.
A pretty good diner, not the best in the world but good memories here and usually very good service, it's a nice place.
(3)Eric T.
Mel's is, as was first described to me, an institution. It's truly local, family friendly, nice waitstaff, and good food. You're not going to get fine dining, and even some of the basics, like bacon and eggs, can be so-so. But if you're looking for great hash or a (surprisingly) good burger, Mel's is your place. (If they could up the coffee game, we'd be in 4-star territory, but a diner's a diner.)
(3)Jodie F.
I agree with several of the other reviews here. I've lived in the area for four years and it's one of the only "diners" around, so we have limited choices if we want to eat out with two kids for breakfast...and they seem to treat you as if they know that best. We've never had super service, it is very gross and dirty inside, and the elderly locals and regulars seem to be more welcomed and accepted than the occasional or new customer. The last time we went, I got the brunt of our waitresses attitude, which resulted in my speaking right back up to her. I was all set in being treated like I was a nuisance. She wouldn't look at us, she mumbled whatever she had to say under her breath so we couldn't understand her ("would you like tea or coffee" was unintelligible mumbles as she walked away), and made it clear we were a bother. So, I told her just that and I let it out. She looked at me for the first time (made eye contact) and apologized. Her whole attitude changed and her posture straightened out. She smiled and spoke more clearly and without tension and bitterness. She apologized again and gave a more lengthy explanation for her prior behavior- as well as a $25.00 gift card because she wanted us to return again.
(1)Lindsey M.
This place is very cute! Been here a few times! The breakfast is alright and the service is alright! I ordered from their specials...two scrambled eggs with cheese, two French toast, and two slices of bacon. My eggs had two slices of cheese not at all melted on them..my French toast was a bit soggy, and my bacon looked as if it were barely cooked! The potatoes that can't with the meal were nice and crispy but lacked in flavor so I definitely needed ketchup for them! I also ordered a kids meal that the lady did not give me the drink for but charged me for the whole meal so I nicely asked for the drink to go and she brought it to me! Over all if your looking for a quick and alright breakfast this place is good! If you want a really good tasting breakfast and have time then your better off somewhere else! I'm sure I'll be back as it is kid friendly and close to home!
(3)Michelle C.
I go back and forth with this place, sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad. I wish they had better breakfast real potatoes and used real hollandaise sauce. Sometimes the service is good, other times its not. For a while, I was getting the breakfast sandwiches, which could be really great....and then other times, they forget to put stuff on them, which stinks when you get home and find it missing. Would love some consistency here....then maybe I'd come more often.
(2)Michael K.
If you're looking for a good breakfast at a good price, look no further. Mel's is a back to basics diner with lots of breakfast options. I am boring and always get the eggs/homefries/toast and Mel's makes as good as anyone. My only complaint is the coffee which 8 very watered down. So just bring your own from D&D or Buckies.
(3)Tim Y.
Great local gem! Had the corned beef hash and eggs. This place has an old school "diner" type of feel. The servers were attentive. They give out coloring pages and crayons for the kids. Plenty of parking spaces in the private lot. I'd definitely come back next time I'm in town...
(4)Jessie C.
Meh. We were very excited to try this place for breakfast but I think we stick with cooking breakfast at home. Best part of the meal was the coffee. Pancakes were gummy and potatoes were not breakfast potatoes, they were covered in thyme and rosemary. No thanks.
(1)Leah C.
Ugh! So much for fast service and tasty breakfast. We arrived just after the morning rush and it seemed the servers were too exhausted to work anymore. I food arrived late and it was just your average diner, nothing exceptional. It was also almost $40 for just the two of us. Too pricey!
(3)Hannah B.
LOVE this place for weekend brunch! Huge fan of the "Famous Eggs Bennedict" and all of the ways you can mix and match/replace different sides. Old fashion diner feel with quick service and good coffee. the wait can be a little long on the weekends, but i would say it's worth it!
(4)Melissa K.
Walking in during lunch hour the place was rather empty; that should have been a sign to is. The place was empty yet we were seated on top of another couple.Worst eggs ever they tasted like rubber. The place is also dirty too.
(2)Amanda S.
I love it here and have for years! Great food, great service! Usually a wait on Sundays but it's so worth it! All they need to add to the menu are mimosas ;)
(4)Ralph Z.
Popped into Mel's as so many in the neighborhood give it raves. Nice burger place atmosphere with a full diner grade menu. Had to get a double 1/3 + 1/3 lb burger, because they did not charge that much for a 2nd patty, and well, it all starts with the meat. Two juicy 6 oz. burger charbroiled to perfection topped with the cheese of your choice, which in my case was American with the standard toppings, lettuce, tomato, pickle & sliced red onion. A real bakery roll and the included side of fries meant I would not eat again till the next day. A Darn Good Burger (See: facebook.com/MightyTasty… ) with at least some pink inside, not quite the medium rare I wanted, but very eatable. My wife got an oriental chicken salad which was decent, but not overwhelming. There were enough lunch salad choices to bring us back again & again. The coffee was not gourmet, but OK. I always hope I can find coffee worth getting but at home we use Black Bear in a Chemex, and that is tough competition for a restaurant to go against. (see: blackbearcoffee.com for online purchasing!)
(4)Maria D.
This is one of the cutest little places. I work across the street and go there whenever I am craving something or am too lazy to pack lunch. The people that work there Re super friendly and always serve your meal with a smile. I normally get take out but have sat in the restaurant once where the waitress was very kind. The prices a very reasonable. A great deal that they have is a coffee and breakfast sandwich for under $5. I'm not a huge fan of their coffee but their breakfast sandwiches are very good.
(3)Hannah C.
If you're looking for a solid local eatery filled with heart stopping cholesterol, and flavors your Nana used to cook up at home with a hefty helping of Crisco... This is the place. You will not find spices recently discovered in a small unique crop in Tibet here. The crowd is not hip. It's grey. The service is A-OK. The decor is not trendy. So wander in in your favorite LL Bean duds, order a plate of fish and chips, and enjoy. PS: If they're serving the split pea and ham soup, don't miss out.
(4)Tom G.
Great for breakfast. Opens at 6am and easy for before work meetings. Simple good food and friendly staff.
(4)Sarah C.
This is a great spot for breakfast and lunch! I am not a huge breakfast fan so I typically come here for their lunch specials. They are always friendly and greet you when you come in. I love the smell of the different flavors of fresh coffee when you walk in the door - hazelnut and vanilla and caramel - that alone makes me want to go there! They have a wide variety of breakfast and sandwich offerings with daily specials. My favorite sandwich is the meatloaf sandwich - always comes out with melted cheese and toasted perfectly and the meatloaf has great flavor. Girls I come with always order different types of breakfast plates and there is never a crumb left afterwards. I recently tried one of their burgers and it was super fresh and really good. You must try the pasta salad when you come here - it is the best! Sometimes the wait staff can be a bit slow when it comes to getting you your check and then getting you out of there - which I usually would not mind but we are always in there on our lunch break. The food and general atmosphere is so good I can't knock them a star for that. They also deliver in a small radius around them - which is perfect for days you are craving them and can't get away from your desk!! We recently ordered Mel's catering for two work functions - I will review this portion shortly!
(4)Karyn V.
The food is very average at best, and the service is less so. Some days the food is pretty good, but usually it disappoints. I much prefer J&M Diner for breakfast. I am glad I found it, and I have been longing for something better.
(3)KEith J.
Got one of those pay $10 for $20 worth of food deals so I decided to check this place out. At lunchtime on a Monday it was crowded and somewhat noisy. Starting off the coffee, not so good, was close to room temperature. After informing the waitress she returned with a fresh hot cup. I was going to order a Ruben and asked the waitress if the corned beef was brisket or round ... Her answer was ... We make it here. I ended up ordering the Philly cheesesteak roll up. They didn't drain or blot the grease from the meat so the plate side of the roll up was sitting in grease that I didn't see but felt as I picked the sandwich up . The fries were OK but tasted like made from frozen. The waitress brought water one with no ice the other with very little ice. The good news ... My companion had an omelette with silver dollar pancakes which was pretty good. I'm not a foodie just like good food at reasonable prices. This place was OK but just OK. Don't look for my car in the p raking lot anytime soon.
(2)Steve B.
Came here because my usual breakfast favorite (Maugus) was closed for family vacation time. Between the scowling waitress, greasy omelet, and weak coffee I can't find much to recommend about this place. Won't be back anytime soon.
(1)Len S.
Six of us went today for breakfast. Food was good, service was good and the waitress (older woman) smiled. Unsure why so many had negative reports about the place. Omelets were tasty, no complaints. Keeping in mind it is a "diner" and not a fancy restaurant, I'd go back.
(4)Steve S.
I've been going to Mel's all my life. Before it was a "Commonwealth Cafe." When the "Postman Salad" was ordered by actual postmen. It was, and is, a diner with solid food choices and a rarely disappointing breakfast or lunch. The problem is that it's no longer run by Mel. His son runs it, and apparently the staff runs roughshod over him. They are rude beyond all reason. When asked what the soup of the day was, one of the women answered - no joking - "How should I know?" The hostess who is usually at the front is unsmiling, unkind and unwilling to bend the letter of the law. Many of the waitresses have been there way too long, apparently, and just don't care about their longtime customers. There are few choices in Wayland (hence the eternally puzzling popularity of The Villa), so there will always be customers at Mel's. I just wish I could enjoy the service there as much as the food.
(2)Ken R.
Used to be okay, but the breakfasts have simply gotten too inconsistent. After one too many times waiting too long and another serving of cold pancakes, we decided it wasn't worth the times they get it right.
(2)Shani F.
I was seated immediately and the food was ordered and out within 15 minutes. The broccoli and mushroom omelet was very good (definitely frozen broccoli). The home fries were excellent.
(4)Abigail B.
Honestly, it's pretty bad, but people love it anyway. It's really the only breakfast/diner place in town, so we take what we get. The staff are okay, but sometimes inattentive, and the wait for the food can be REALLY long. The food itself isn't great. I often get pancakes. but there's nothing really special about them, nor with the eggs or oatmeal...usually I leave thinking, "why did I come here?" If you're hungry for breakfast, go, but don't expect to be blown away. Also the homefries are pretty flavorless. You can't even call yourself a diner unless you have good homefries, in my opinion.
(2)F T.
Reliable for Sunday brunch. A family favorite, especially when we have visitors from out of town.
(4)Amanda K.
I have tried this place a couple times after moving to the area a year ago. Every time I have gone; the food as been OK, the coffee hasn't been good, and the service has been extremely rude. I gave them a fair shot, I won't be going back.
(2)Cynthia A.
The best breakfast spot in the area, I normally do not wait to eat anywhere for breakfast, but here it is worth it. They have such a great selection. The prices are reasonable. Excellent service every time. My kids just love it!
(5)Patricia M.
Food is good waitress was a little abrupt at first, but it got better. I think they have regulars and we were new faces
(3)Di B.
My mother and I stopped here for breakfast. We started out with decaf coffee. We ordered the light french toast and the egg special with toast and home fries with bacon. Everything came out practically white. The french toast had no color to it like it was put in a microwave and soggy. The toast and egg were fine, but the home fries had no color. The bacon was limp, but I realize I did not ask for it crispy and that is a personal preference. After thinking about it, I really think all these things WERE cooked in a microwave. The waitress came back with the bill, filled my mother's cup with regular coffee and started to fill mine with the same. Neither one of us can drink caffeine because of heart problems. I stopped her from filling mine up and asked if it was decaf and she said no, she would bring over decaf. No apology for giving my mother regular coffee and she never came back. A total waste of money. We will not return there.
(1)Tall G.
Took my mother for breakfast this morning and I was surprised it was pretty quiet for a weekday morning. I got the Two, Two, Two breakfast special and my mom got the #1 Famous Eggs Benedict. Both of our home fries were very dry and my mom's were even partially burnt. The bacon was undercooked but my french toast and eggs were good. Mom's Benedict was just OK. The service wasn't great. Our waitress seemed like she was in a bad mood. She didn't greet us with a smile and it took talking to the manager to get a second cup of coffee. It's too bad that Mel's has gone so far down hill quality wise because their food and service used to be amazing. We won't be back.
(1)Elliot G.
Mel's has the best breakfast and lunch in the area - much better than the fancy Boston restaurants. The food is great and the prices reasonable. The service was outstanding - many of the waitresses have been there for man years. The owners are always there and make sure that everything is running smoothly. I highly recommend it.
(5)alan m.
I have been at Mel's twice in the last week. My lobster roll was the worst ever. The lobster did not taste like fresh lobster. Today, my french toast was of the Eggo variety. Simply warmed up in the microwave. Certainly, not recently cooked. Has Mel's been sold? I cannot believe this is the same management!! Whatever the reason, this place has slid downhill almost overnight !
(1)Georgina C.
I've been coming to Mel's since I was a toddler when I'd come in with my mother and get a hot chocolate topped high with a yummy swirl of thick whipped cream. Fast forward to my twenties I'm still coming here for Sunday or Saturday brunches after a night of drinking. I love their Irish eggs benedict that has corned beef hash instead of Canadian bacon. Wonderful!
(4)