Service and food were awesome! The place was packed and we were seated and served quickly. The price was good and our waitress showed great hospitality.
(4)
Richard B.
Great breakfasts at the Diner. Biscuits and Gravy fixed just right and the prices are reasonable and the quantity and quality is 110%.
(4)
Ralph Z.
Great food in a nice diner atmosphere. Got Carl's Breakfast everything and loved the chicken-fried steak. As good as the food was, I wanted to take the waitress home with us. She was that good.
(5)
Jill B.
Yum! Great prices, staff, and food! Just off the main drag and so worth the deviation!!! Old fashioned malts to die for, breakfast all day, super home style food. All around a great place to eat for decently priced, well made food!
(5)
Jenny S.
Breakfast was great and our server Ken too! Never had to ask for a refill. I had the French toast and grits and my guy had Mel's Special. Reasonable prices too and got right in. Coupons in visitor guide for 10 and 15% off your meal. You must try the biscuits and gravy! They are to die for.
(5)
Jessica W.
Great food . Good people the waiter was nice and funny . Food was hot and good. It's fun have lunch or dinner 1950s diner place. Hot dogs are great haven't try the cheeseburgers yet. And the ice creams look so good. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Disney S.
Had our last night vacation dinner here after a long day out of exploring and shopping... 4 burgers and 4 pepsi's were all fabulous!!!! Burgers had a great seasoning to them!!! Service was quick, courteous and ambience was just perfect as well!!! Good value- a must stop for anyone in the area!!!
(5)
Peter W.
This place is the best! My wife and I discovered this gem on a road trip a couple of years ago and now we go there every time we visit the Smoky's. First of all, it's like stepping into a time warp. You really feel like you're back in the 50's when you walk through the door. The staff is great, super friendly and fun. The food is great, but best of all are the malts and sundaes. We've never had a malt that good anywhere before. I don't know what they do, but it's magic. This is diner heaven!
(5)
Anne B.
My husband and I went here for dinner while visiting the Smokies. What a great place to eat! The food was excellent and the service was great! The food came so quickly and the waitress was very friendly. We liked it so much, we went back the next night to eat there again. I would definitely recommend this restaurant when visiting the area. The restaurants in Gatlinburg were so crowded and overpriced and this was a much better alternative for dinner.
(5)
Marion R.
Judy liked the chili. Great location and nice building, Food was just food nothing like you would see on Diner's Dives etc show on tv...
(3)
Loren Martha T.
Are you in Gatlinburg wondering where the heck you should go for dinner? I know the feeling... You're surrounded by seemingly hundreds of pancake restaurants, tourist traps, and run down buffets all vying for your patronage with bright neon sings and promises of the "best meal in town for the best deal in town". Turning to Yelp, you seek an answer, a well written review to guide you-- I was in your spot on my last trip to Gatlinburg. After spending my day in Dollywood where a bottle of Coke is $3.98, and scouring over multiple menus from over priced restaurants in the area, I am so glad I found Mel's Diner. The food is reasonably priced, and you definitely get your money's worth. I got the shrimp basket, which was really good. My boyfriend got the fried catfish, which was honestly the best I've ever tried (right, who would've thought a place like this would have the best catfish I've ever had?!). I was a bit hesitant when I first saw the place, which looks like a hokey, wannabe 50's dinner. Don't let the exterior fool you, though. Its really quite charming, and I wound up really digging the interior with its neon pink lights, mirrored walls, and vintage juke box. Each booth has it's own coat rack, *bonus charm factor*! I didn't get to try one of their desserts because my shrimp basket filled me up, but they looked pretty dang good. I saw a 6 scoop banana split that someone had ordered and have vowed that next time I'm in Gatlinburg, I'll go back to Mel's to try one (maybe with tree scoops on mine, though). Anyways, you're quandary is now solved-- go to Mel's dinner, get some catfish or a burger or something-- you won't be sorry.
(5)
Shellie H.
Best catfish dinner I have ever had! Loved it! Reuben and Elvis club were also very good.
(4)
Phil Y.
A super cool looking diner with out of the can food and less than hoped for service. With 4 adults and two kids we got to try a variety of menu items when the waitress eventually came around. Service was slow but it was hard to tell why. The place was busy but they weren't in the weeds. We tried a number of classic diner dishes but nothing came out better than average. If I were to return it would be for a simple breakfast or one of those awesome looking banana splits.
(3)
Will P.
Tasty breakfast On a cold, rainy morning I didn't want to venture far from my hotel so called up Mel's for a carryout breakfast order. By the time I arrived it was all ready so I picked up and headed home. Had the pancakes and they were quite good. The bacon was also delicious. The sausage was hard and overcooked, the hashbrowns were bland. Not a bad experience though.
(3)
Wendell B.
Went to Mel's ate with 6 others and left happy and full the club sandwich was delicious blt and ham and cheese as well
(5)
R. S.
Great place to eat. Good food, decent service, average pricing. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Carri B.
Sorry to say this was a let down. The best thing this place has going for it is its friendly Tennessee waitstaff. Food not great.
(2)
Craig C.
Exactly what you expect. Great interior. Decent service. Decent food.
(3)
Jeremy S.
Do you like Diners? Doesn't matter because you'll like this place anyway. The classic diner atmosphere was just the icing on the cake. The staff and the service was exceptional. Our server, Heather, was amazing. She was extremely friendly and very helpful. She even got our food out ridiculously fast. This is always appreciated when you have 2 kids with you. I got the onion burger and it far exceeded my expectations. The onions were sauted to perfection, which I have found is a difficult task for most restaurants. They even give you a 15% discount on your next visit if you bring the receipt. I have plans to eat somewhere else on my second night in Pigeon Forge but Mel's has me reconsidering them. Great work all around, I give Mel's Diner the coveted 5 Doubleday rating!
(5)
Jerry S.
Found this place On my honeymoon. Loved the nostalgic look and vibe of this restaurant. The food was pretty good. The server we had was very friendly and on the ball. Just wish the portions were bigger. Over all enjoyed the experience and would go back for sure
(4)
Terri G.
Food was average service was fast and friendly! Didn't get dessert was full because servings are big but nothing I would say wow over.
(4)
Erin D.
Great food and fast service. A great diner! BBQ was great, nachos were awesome. Not busy and great atmosphere!
(4)
Joel P.
This place is awesome! Lots of cute older couples who are being reminded of their teenage years! Friendly, fun, cheap, and tasty! A must is you like diner foods!
(5)
Shannon W.
I was impressed with the outside decorations, paintings of old cars on the windows, and the 60's music when you enter. The music was loud, but when you are seated, it isn't loud at all. The food was typical diner food and "pre-fab". The only thing that was homemade was the deserts. Although it was good food, it wasn't homemade or fresh. My Country Fried Steak seemed frozen and my husband's chicken was thin and dry. The service was great and she was friendly. Their desserts are very large and filling. With all the places to eat in Pigeon Forge, we probaby won't be returning here to eat.
(3)
Melanie T.
This place gets 5 stars for the atmosphere and the awesome banana split! It was huge and so delicious I went back 2 times to get it! There food is pretty good too great little 50s style cafe!
(5)
Esther L.
Absolutely delicious! We were in town for our honeymoon. We went to a Flapjacks that was terrible! We really wanted hashed browns (instead of home fries), country fried steak, and eggs. This place hit the spot with their gut buster meal!!! Everything was delicious and the service was great!
(5)
Paul P.
It is diner food. Good Worth the money and great service.
(4)
John V.
Mel's is a step back in time in appearance and taste. Want hamburgers and fry's that taste like they did in the 60's than stop by Mel's! The staff is dressed to match the period and provide you with fall all over you service! Yum, Yum described my bacon cheese burger with all the toppings! It was so tender and juicy with a fist full of flavor! My wife and I bring friends to Mel's every time we are here on vacation and they continue to provide us with a very pleasing experience! The price is right for the entire package. If you want to get your 60's yum on then go to Mel's Diner and eat up!
(4)
Judy H.
First time at Mel's Diner. My husband and I ordered the bacon and eggs with hash browns and toast. Has browns were dry and luke warm. Toast was barely toasted, cold and soggy. Bacon and eggs were done right. We will not return.
(2)
Melissa M.
Mel's Diner is a step back in time. Excellent service, delicious breakfast, great prices and a peaceful break from busy Pigeon Forge.
(5)
Lee N.
It was my birthday. So we decided to eat here for my birthday breakfast. We were seated. And it took like 10 minutes before anyone even greeted us or come and take our drink orders. I noticed that two people came in after us. The the server greeted them and began to take their orders. So needless to say I was not a happy camper but it was my birthday and I wanted everything to be special. So I remained calm. I said to my partner let's go. He decided to ask the server did the individuals come in before us. She said to him I'm not sure but I don't have your table. The lady that did have our table said that she was making a milkshake and came over put straws down, did not take our drink orders. Left came back a minute later and took the orders of the people right across from us. I looked at my partner and I said this is not acceptable let's leave. So needless to say I don't know what the hell the food taste like, and I never will because it took forever for me to even get a drink. I will never ever ever ever go back to Mel's diner again in my life!
(1)
Average G.
Go for the breakfast, it is awesome. French toast rocks and they offer Cheerwine! The burgers were also good but the breakfast took the cake. The chili cheese fries were awesome though. We had to try to banana split and that was worth it as well. The staff is nice and the food comes out extremely fast. Went twice during a 3 day stay in Pigeon Forge...would go back again.
(4)
Lisa S.
Too greasy for my taste. But if you like heavy, greasy food you'll enjoy this place. The atmosphere is fun and comfortable and the place is very clean. The service is good but they won't make any substitutions on the menu. If you want any changes you have to pay extra.
(2)
John G.
Just visted Mel's last week as I was visiting from Dallas and we ate there two days in a row.This is the true definition of a Diner, the staff was amazingly Friendly and gave us great service, the food was exactly like you would expect from a diner and i left not only very full but also with cash still in my pocket as the prices are very reasonable. This looks like a local hangout and also a place for out of town vistors. The homemake shakes, Sundaes and Bananna splits are a must try.
(4)
Jeanni C.
Went for breakfast with family of 4. The waitress was nice and fast she suggested the special 2 eggs 2 pancakes bacon or sausage grits or has browns 4.95 good deal! Hubby and I had toast not pancakes its a dollar more each! I could not find the drinks on the menu when I got the check I know why 2.79 for a small apple juice and 2.99 for small milk!! Two adults two kids 32.95 plus tip!! The food was not good bacon had been cooked for hours, grits cold and has browns raw not even light brown!!! Go somewhere else where it's worth it!
(1)
Mike J.
Wife and I stopped in for lunch. Wife had an Elvis sandwich with cheese fries and said it was good. I didn't enjoy my BBQ as much, almost like the cheap slop stuff you got at school. The pasta salad was ok but the fried pickles were awesome! Service was fast and friendly. Cool diner decor and semi loud music rocking. I'd give it another try if I ever went back to area.
(3)
Sarah N.
Went here 2 days in a row. Good place to eat (except for the french fries - yuck! - get the onion rings) Breakfast is good and so is lunch! Has a good atmosphere and friendly faces. Def will go back on the next trip!
(4)
Keith H.
I loved the atmosphere of this place, with the oldies music playing. The food was good, and I didn't have to wait long. The waitress was very friendly, and overall I had a good experience here.
(3)
Kris F.
The wings are excellent, burgers were dry. The service was mediocre. The decor and authenticity of a diner is spot on. It was a good fast meal. Use the coupon found in local discount books 10%!!!!
(3)
Valerie C.
Great food and good chili cheese fries
(4)
Bryan M.
Looks to be a good breakfast place. Good service. burger and fries no good!
(2)
Brooks H.
Our party had 4 adults and 5 children on a friday night and we were quickly given two tables side by side, which was great. The service was really good. We had a rock star waitress and another gentlemen that checked on us often. Overall, the food was ok. The chocolate malt shakes had a funky taste to them and one of the onion rings was still frozen. Besides that, everyone's entrees were decent. Unfortunately, I woke up early the next morning with food poisoning and was sick for 24 hours straight... I'll spare you the details. While I can't 100% trace it back to Mel's Diner, I won't be going back any time soon because other than that, all I ate was a ham sandwich made from leftover thanksgiving ham that 11 other people had with no problems. Try it for yourself.
(2)
Jon S.
Great little place. Service was good, food was good. Had the pot roast special, wife had the mushroom burger and we both enjoyed it. They were happy o have our two kids and accommodated us great.. First time there, if we are I'm the area again we will def. eat there again.
(4)
Emad A.
Not bad!!
(2)
Kay W.
We went on vacation and arrived in Pigeon Forge around 9pm. We were hungry and needed something good, Mel's did it for us. I had the gravy and biscuits and my DH had the pull apart barbeque, it was just what we needed. I would recommend eating here.
(4)
Robert P.
First time visitors tonight. Pancakes, French Dip, Cheeseburger and Patty Melt in our party. All really good. Staff is friendly and efficient. All around good food,service and comfort. A bit noisy but when it's Ray Charles or Sam Cook. so easy to endorse...
(5)
Food C.
Great food. Good service. All I can do is suggest that you get the chicken fried steak. The best I've ever had.
(5)
Rachel W.
The food was pretty awesome for diner food. I had biscuits and gravy with two eggs. So so good. The chocolate milkshake I had was excellent too. The waitress was efficient and the food was brought out hot and quickly. I will come back, especially because we found a 15 percent off coupon after the fact. :-)
(5)
Garth E.
Good reviews from another source brought us here on our most recent vacation. With high hopes we entered to a welcoming atmosphere adorned with 40's and 50's memorabilia...that is until we met the hostess - unfriendly and impersonal. Our server was quite the opposite, friendly and personable. My wife and I each ordered a burger, and grilled cheese for the kid. The real shock came when the food came. What a poor excuse for a burger. It was obviously a highly-processed, frozen food product of some sort served with the cheapest ingredients possible. The "meat" was a light brown color and the grilled cheese was even worse. So unless you're just visiting for a milk shake and the nostalgia, avoid this hole at all cost.
(1)
Samantha M.
One of my favorite places to eat in the Smokies. You can get great food most any time of the day. But Breakfast is my favorite. The biscuits and gravy are always tops.
(5)
Anthony J.
Love this place. We eat here at least once, if not more, every time we visit Pigeon Forge. The food is great!
(4)
Brian H.
This was an awesome little diner. I got the Philly Cheese stea and fries, the wife got Chicken Cheese steak and pasta salad....then we split the sandwiches. Hers was better but mine was still good. The pasta salad was bland and NOT good. It just sat there. My daughter got the child's cheeseburger and loved it. The fries are the tiny little shoestrings....very good. The service was excellent and helpfull. We loved the old 50's -70's music and the decor. We will definitely be back.
(4)
Cristen C.
This is a quaint little place that truly lives up to the "diner" in the name. They serve breakfast all day, and it is pretty good standard breakfast without being greasy. The waitress was good, she really knew the menu. Service was fast. One drawback is because it is so small inside you might have to wait a few minutes for a table, and there is little standing room. They claim to be famous for their banana splits but I didn't have one.
(3)
Christine M.
We visited the area from NY this past week. Mel's Diner is a MUST if you are in the Pigeon Forge area. Food was excellent with great prices!
(4)
Autumn P.
Ate breakfast here this morning and left feelng full and happy. The place is decorated in a 50's style and my son thought that was way cool! The food was good and prepared exactly as we ordered it...and quickly I might add. It is an affordable choice to eat and enjoy the company of your wonderful family! We would definately eat here again.
(4)
Michelle J.
Nice little spot to eat after a long day at Dollywood!!! Waitresses were friendly, food was good and service was fast!!!
(4)
joyce g.
Great place for burgers & milkshakes, or breakfast! Fun lively place - Happy Days!
(4)
Aj R.
Go For the Burgers Stay for the Milkshakes ! Most of the food here is Pretty good but the Brurgers are Huge and taste Awesome! Mel's is not a quiet place so be aware of that but it is great for kids. The chocolate shakes here are the old fashion ones made with Real Ice cream and are totally worth the calories. Mel's is family friendly and the service is fast, If your looking for high end dinning this is not it but for casual quick bites it's Perfect !
(4)
Lyndsey D.
We really enjoyed our time here, came back a second time our four day trip to the area. First we did the breakfast fare, focus on pancakes, which were huge, fluffy, and so good. Next time we did cheeseburgers, with their good onion rings, and then shared banana splits. Everything was very good, american food. Wait staff was hit or miss with friendliness, but they always did their job with serving and refilling drinks.
(4)
Cole M.
Average food and great customer service balance out for a place to go for lunch during your stay in Pigeon Forge. The prices are fine for lunch and if you're staying nearby it's very worth it because of the consistent quality of the food. Would go back for lunch most definitely.
(3)
Kriss W.
The hubby and I tried this for the first time over the 4th of July holiday weekend. It was a cute little diner with interesting 50ish decor. We had burgers - he had a double cheese burger and I had a patty melt on the suggestion of our server. They were served fast and hot. This is not the place to hang out and linger over a meal - but it was tasty and served the purpose for a quick late lunch. We want to go back and try the breakfast at some point. We didn't have room for the ice cream sundaes, but we saw a couple and they were monsters.
(3)
Steve C.
Reasonable prices, good service, and quick. My wife was impressed because the waitress saw her cutting up my son's pancakes and told her to let her do it so she could get started eating. She said no waiter or waitress had ever done that before. I had the chicken philly and it was excellent.
(4)
Brian L.
Always busy, always good! Great American fare with a 1950's theme. I've eaten here many times and recommend most everything on the menu. The burgers are great, onion rings with REAL onions, liberal helpings. The meatloaf is, well, meatloaf - nothing special, nothing bad. The salads are run of the mill Iceberg lettuce salads, again: nothing special, nothing bad. Chili is sweet, made with kidney beans, very good. Breakfast is great! Price-wise, expect to spend about $10-$15 per person.
(3)
Picky E.
went late-ish 9:30 or so one night. had to wait a couple minutes to get a booth but was worth it. food and service was very good. didn't see alice of flo though :^) i just had a cheeseburger and wife had a chili cheeseburger and didn't like the chili. scaped it off and had a good burger out of it.
(4)
Dianna H.
November 2nd, 2010 Coming from Atlanta, GA, this was our first trip to Gatlinburg, TN. Although it didn't have a promising start at the welcome center (Pigeon Forge), we set out with loads of attraction guides and coupon books and made our way through a very fun day. At the welcome center, I asked the woman who worked there what restaurants she would recommend. I asked specifically for places that are only in the area, not major chains. She responded with "Well, there's an IHOP." When I asked her again if there were any that weren't major chains she said "Oh well that's what people like. I don't know." Mel's Diner was our first stop after that experience. I don't really remember the hostess, if that says anything, but our waitress was awesome. We never ran out of anything, she helped us choose (French dip sandwich for me, Patty melt for the hubby, and she advised us that one children's chicken fingers plate would satisfy our 2 and 4 year old). Their sweet tea was excellent, the food was great, and the service was exceptional. We will most definitely be eating here again when we return.
(5)
Virginia T.
Maybe it's just because we were starving after a long day at Dollywood but the food here was fantastic! The decor was adorable and done up as a 50s diner. The prices were great and even though it was 11pm the place was pretty busy. We were happy to get a table right away and I ordered coffee. It was okay but the rest of my order was delish. I ordered a patty melt with onion rings. The melt had Swiss cheese and was loaded with grilled onions. It was on a beautiful rye bread and was juicy and greasy like all great patty melts should be. The onion rings were hot and crispy. My husband got the Otis Onion burger. It was also loaded with grilled onions and a wonderful cheddar cheese. He devoured it along with his onion rings and said he was a happy camper. In a touristy town filled with a million restaurants, this will be our new 'go-to' joint.
(5)
Mike T.
Cafeteria food- everything wrong with this place. Hand pulled-pork dinner. Pulled pork looked like a piece of dog doo- Mac and cheese- over cooked and mushy. Did not even try the store bought potato salad. Service was horrible-
(1)
Wanderin' J.
We stopped here for a quick lunch after spending most of the morning around Gatlinburg. We were extremely pleased. The food was excellent and the service just as good. We loved the inside of the diner. It was even better than what we expected. The place was packed so we figured other folks liked it just as much as we did.
(5)
Amber E.
We stopped in on the second day of vacation because this place looked really cute. It wasn't very busy at 10:00 AM for tourist season. Maybe because their breakfast isn't fantastic. It's sufficient but not fantastic. It's cute and the wait staff is super friendly but the food is just okay.
Meatloaf was delicious, but the green bean side dish was revolting. Came with "Texas toast," which was basically a piece of regular toast grilled on one side. Boyfriend's grilled cheese was stacked, so that was a nice surprise. Our food did come quickly and our drinks were always at least halfway full. We had room for dessert but opted out of getting it here due to the sub-par food we ate.
(3)
Patty C.
Yes, I'm giving Mel's Diner 5 Stars. It's not fancy but it's really damn delicious. This time around, we sat at the bar - it was cool to watch the cooks and servers. Our server was awesome and our food came out super fast. Love that they still make old-fashioned milk shakes (you get all the "extra" too). Both of the husband and my son got cheeseburgers - one with fries and one with onion rings. I got a fried bologna sandwich - it was awesome! The fries were good but the onion rings were perfection! I love that it's a simple meal done well, laid back location, reasonably priced and a throw back to another time.
(5)
Laurie E.
Consistently good ! Had a huge omelet the big Al full of meat ! Also added veggies it was stuffed full of meat, cheese and veggies .Great career wait staff ! Quick ,delicious also great shakes just a real fun place with great diner food !
(5)
Sarah D.
Best banana split and hot fudge sundaes ever!! My family and I just finished eating dinner at Margaritaville and were less than impressed with the service so we decided to come to Mel's Diner for dessert based on the ratings. This place is exactly what you would expect from a fifties diner and some. The staff were very friendly and we were sat in a corner booth overlooking the entire diner. This was beyond what was expected as the parking lot was entirely full when we pulled in. Our waitress took our orders and made our desserts in under five minutes. She came to the table three times to check on us and was full of southern charm. The banana split was amazing as was the hot fudge sundae. I could barely eat the three scoop banana split so you may want to share it with someone. I love the jukebox playing in the background the ambience was amazing. I used to bathroom to wash up after eating and the bathrooms were extremely clean. We will be visiting again!
(5)
Mel A.
I have a diner! This takes me back to my childhood when 'Alice', a long-running tv series featured Alice who worked at Mel Sharples' diner in Phoenix. This Mel's Diner is in the heart of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Here you'll find a classic diner with classic diner food - from malts and banana splits to burgers, hot dogs, fries, onion rings and more. Feeling nostalgic? Their starters are named after the characters of Happy Days: Joanie and Chachi, Fonzarelli and Potsy, And you'll find a lot of references to celebrities from the 50s throughout the menu. We had the shrimp basket, burger, wings, onion rings, and pulled pork sandwich. I had a taste of everything -- yum! Inside the diner you'll find a lot of 50s memorabilia with a juke box playing the classics. And don't forget you're in Mel's Diner...the servers wear t-shirts with Flo's classic line, "Kiss my grits!" But they're much nicer.
(4)
bridget m.
I had the Hot Mama Egg White omelette and it was good. Typical Mel's Diner omelette did not disappoint. What was disappointing was the service and cleanliness of the restaurant. Our waitress didn't seem to know the menu (maybe she was new). She also disappeared for an unusually long period of time. once we were done eating we had to sit and wait for the bills. When she came back she smelled like cigarettes. The restaurant itself was small and not very clean. Our table was sticky and was wiped down with a smelly rag. Maybe I'm partial to the good service we have Mel's back home.
(3)
Lacey M.
NOTHING SPECIAL. Go to a Waffle House/IHOP/Denny's for breakfast and you'll get the same taste. Husband had the Miss Ninas Mo for your money breakfast special. It wasn't bad just nothing special. Eggs, sausage, bacon, hash browns, biscuits and gravy. I had the Reuben sandwich with fries...small helping of fries. And Reuben had literally no thousand island dressing so I asked for some on the side. But it was good..once again not the best place but decent. Total spend about $20.00 without tip.
(3)
Andrea C.
Stopped in the other night for a quick dinner. Everyone wanted burgers, except my son, who wanted breakfast. No problem, breakfast is served all day. Our server was Dawn, and she was fast, efficient and very friendly. Everything was good, although I have had a better burger. Cute, quaint, SMALL diner. Good experience.
(3)
Michele S.
The best decision we made to eat at! The food was great and serve was beyond excellent! It was so good we went two days in a row! Don't miss out on this place!!!
(5)
Sherri K.
My family had dinner here tonight. The food and service were superb. The only 2 complaints I have were that we were seated clear in a back alcove and the AC wasn't great in this area and there were flies that kept buzzing around. Other than that it was awesome!
(4)
Scott M.
Nice burger place. Crowded but we got seated quick. Service was friendly and quick. Food was good. I'd stop in again.
(5)
Carlton M.
Food wasn't that great. Burger had to be cooked well done for some reason. The soda's were FLAT ------- BUT Shelby our server was EXCELLENT. She knew I didn't like the pulled pork and offered something else, I will not be returning to Mel's but if you go ask for Shelby.
(2)
Nick F.
Staff was very good and polite. We ate breakfast and my kids ate the entire meal. They are reasonably priced and would eat there again.
(5)
Nick G.
Food was mediocre and the service was not very good. The waitress did not check on us after delivering our food. She was talking at the counter and I had to flag her down for a drink refill. We are a family of five and each of us had a breakfast entree and a drink, with tip the bill was $70, for diner food. Not a good value for the money.
(2)
Wayne A.
While on vacation we saw Mel's and figured we would try them for breakfast.....the food was great (huge portions) and the service was top notch
(5)
Kelly A.
Getting 4 stars because I'm from nj where we have real dinners. All the diners here seem like they are just novelties. But that aside..though it's not your typical diner (and U would only know what that is if you've lived in or visited nj or ny) it's pretty good! If you eat there U get 15 percent off your next visit!
(4)
Jim G.
A bit of nostalgia! Food is great and our server was hilarious. If you are in Pigeon Forge stop in at Mel's Dinner. You won't be disappointed. Fuzzy dice and Poodle dresses are optional!
(4)
Kristy P.
I had written out a list of food places I wanted to visit before I left Kentucky, and this was one of them. I almost forgot but drove by today on my way to laser port, and decided to stop by. I have very few negatives for this place, which Ill list, but TONS of positives! First, their food was probably one of the best I've ever had in my life. I've never eaten cheese sticks that good. Or french fries. I seriously don't know what it was about the fries, I couldn't put my finger on it, but they had this baked taste that reminded me a little of toast. They were so good. Only negative was we asked the waitress to put cheese on them and they came without cheese. But, in her defense my husband had told her and he does mumble quite often, so she may not have heard him. I also go the chips and salsa just to take back to my cabin (Its like 35 minute drive from town so I needed something for snacking later) and they were quite delicious as well. Nothing special by no means, but really good. My husband got a burger (I'm a vegetarian so I didn't try it) and he said it was really good as well. He even stopped to ask them where they got their bread. He said it was the best hamburger bun he'd ever tried and one of the best burgers in general he'd ever had. I was greeted at the door by a very nice gentleman that appeared to either be the owner or management. He then gave menu's to a waitress who seated us. He was very polite and kind, and so was the waitress. The food got out really fast. I think like 10 minutes for both my husband and my own food. We were greatful because we hadn't eaten yet that day and it was 4:00! Its really lovely on the inside of the restaurant, and definitely brings you back to another decade. Only one of the waitresses looked like she was from the decade (she had made her makeup and hair look like a young teen from that era) but that wasn't at all a deal-breaker or issue. I wouldn't want to be expected to dress in costume to go to work. It was a bit pricey, but was worth the price. The menu and the prices were very similar to Huddle House,but tasted way better than Huddle House ever could. I'm probably going back in the morning before heading home. Also the little giftshop up front is pretty great, and the jukebox was wonderful. I give 5 stars, a must stop!
(5)
J P.
If I could give this a zero I would. We did not know u could ruin breakfast. Tasted so poorly we took two bites each and left. Service was horrible. Should have went to McD's. Don't waste your money. If you're local u already know this.
(1)
Mary B.
My family stopped in for a bacon cheeseburger after a funfilled night at the Track. Although the food was edible the service was not the greatest. She barely checked on us and being a server myself was a little irritated. Even after she dropped the check we went to pay waited ..went to the bathroom, went to car waited a moment and watched I dont even know if she recieved her tip. I know she was a new server but I would watch my money. ....breakfast was huge and very tasty. :)
(3)
Christopher H.
Eating at Mel's Diner is like walking back into time. From the time you drive up to the restaurant you are going back in time. Once inside we were greeted quickly and our orders taken as soon as we were ready. Within just a few minutes our party of 4 was brought our food. I had the barbecue dinner and I can't say enough about the quality of the food. It was brought out hot and fresh and tasted awesome. Afterwards everyone in our group was so impressed we were talking about how glad we went to Mel's that day. Mel's Diner is a shining star in what can be a very hit or miss dining experience city.
(4)
Brittany H.
Walked in for a late breakfast. Was seated immediately. Staff was very happy and prompt. Food was made hot and quick. Really tasty! We didn't get anything special but it was a really good experience!
(5)
Tony P.
Linda's (double stacked) Grilled Cheese was excellent, definitely for the adult menu. The pickle chips were good, onion rings had a great fresh crunch to them. The staff is very friendly and the decor is just what you would expect from the outside classic diner.
(5)
Jennifer B.
And all we wanted was a hamburger after a day of playing and swimming.....and we got "school cafeteria food". This place was close and looked super cute. It looked like maybe we had found a hidden gem, so we thought we'd try this place. Maybe this would be a "locals" place, off the beaten path....maybe a Diners, Drive Ins and Dives?? The meat loaf was recommended and the waitress said it was large portions. We ordered it and it was a very small portion. It was horribly dry and tasted like Pace salsa and ketchup. The cheeseburger was like a a hockey puck (thankfully we had a ton of condiments). Save your time and money. Go to Five Guys. Or Burger King.
(1)
Rachel W.
Came an he before closing on our first night into TN. Food was great! We are from New Orleans so I can be picky when it comes to what I say is "great food". Lots of options, good prices too!
(5)
Diego G.
There's nothing like a trip to a good diner. Mel's is definitely that place! We had burgers, hot dogs and a French dip. All were great and we're already planning a tip back.
(4)
Irene W.
We went there for breakfast. It was ok. Very friendly staff, prompt service. Coffee was ok, nothing special. I had french toast, again good but nothing earth shattering. Its nice that they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner all day and the decor is retro so that was interesting.
(3)
Karina S.
My husband and I ate here on a very busy Sunday morning, we had the special as recommended by the waitress and it was as amazing as she promised. The service was quick and friendly, the pancakes were delicious, and as a bonus we got a 15% off coupon with our receipt for our next trip!
(5)
Walt S.
Mel's Diner in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is as go-to as a down home as the come. Kitschy with its cash register/souvenir corner filled with Harley-Davidson/Mel's Diner black t-shirts, coffee mugs shouting "Kiss My Grits" and even the plastic coin purses #throwback. As diners must be Mel's serves whatever it might be on the menu 24-7. Proof? At 8AM while I was ordering a veggie omelet, grits and toast,... my travelin' buddy ordered up pot roast with two eggs over easy. A second visit the next day found him ordering an egg white veggie omelet with bacon folded in. Me? I had to try Mel's famous Bette Davis BLT and fries. Killah, just killah! Our counter server both days was LaDonna who declared from the start she was a member of the G.R.I.T.S. Club (long version - Girls Raised In The South). Hoooooo Weeeeeee! Some kinda service from LaDonna, I'll say. Church talk is tossed around like a baby on a politician's lap. There's Rock 'n Roll playing on the big jukebox. The kitchen crews is johnny on the spot with orders, very little waiting, and the atmosphere is downright .... well,....you get a heapin' helpin' of Tennessee boys and girls. Have a seat at Mel's Diner if you're ever visiting Pigeon Forge. I think y'all will love it.
(4)
kevin b.
Wow - Fun place to eat at - The prices are low for the portions that you get. The service is super fast. The waiter was so much fun. Would definitely go again.
(5)
Andria Y.
Great breakfast fir good price and fast service. Lots of food. Thanks for the atmosphere too.
(4)
Paul P.
Ate here 8/9/2014... it wasn't bad but there are better places to eat at in the area. I really like the classic diner feel that it has. It has a ton of vintage building signs and has a throwback-style jukebox which only takes 25 cents. :D Our waitress was nice to us, but it was fairly busy (not ridiculously slow though). The food was about average. I had a cheeseburger with onions and bacon. It was alright, flavor seemed pretty forgettable. I liked the fries though. Prices could be better too. While the atmosphere of this place really makes it inviting, its food doesn't do much justice. I'd say go somewhere else. :\
(3)
Mary S.
Everything about Mel's screams Diner. Very good service. I'm always amazed by what they offer at their price point. You can get breakfast all day long.
(4)
Chantal C.
Was not a big fan of this place. The food was not really good. Greasy and very bland. They were under staff so we never got our drinks refilled and my daughters bowl of soup did not come out until we were ready to leave. We ask repeatedly for it and was always told oh I'll be right back and we never saw them again. Will not be back EVER again and if I was you I would never visit it.
(1)
Samie S.
Went there based on the reviews and was not disappointed. We had a breakfast dinner and it was just like homemade. We got good service and the price was right. Worth going to.
(4)
Joey R.
The cheeseburger and onion rings were some of the best we have had. My picky eater really liked the chicken strips. Will comeback again for breakfast and desserts.
(4)
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Address :119 Wears Valley Rd
Pigeon Forge, TN, 37863
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No 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 : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Grahm S.
Service and food were awesome! The place was packed and we were seated and served quickly. The price was good and our waitress showed great hospitality.
(4)Richard B.
Great breakfasts at the Diner. Biscuits and Gravy fixed just right and the prices are reasonable and the quantity and quality is 110%.
(4)Ralph Z.
Great food in a nice diner atmosphere. Got Carl's Breakfast everything and loved the chicken-fried steak. As good as the food was, I wanted to take the waitress home with us. She was that good.
(5)Jill B.
Yum! Great prices, staff, and food! Just off the main drag and so worth the deviation!!! Old fashioned malts to die for, breakfast all day, super home style food. All around a great place to eat for decently priced, well made food!
(5)Jenny S.
Breakfast was great and our server Ken too! Never had to ask for a refill. I had the French toast and grits and my guy had Mel's Special. Reasonable prices too and got right in. Coupons in visitor guide for 10 and 15% off your meal. You must try the biscuits and gravy! They are to die for.
(5)Jessica W.
Great food . Good people the waiter was nice and funny . Food was hot and good. It's fun have lunch or dinner 1950s diner place. Hot dogs are great haven't try the cheeseburgers yet. And the ice creams look so good. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Disney S.
Had our last night vacation dinner here after a long day out of exploring and shopping... 4 burgers and 4 pepsi's were all fabulous!!!! Burgers had a great seasoning to them!!! Service was quick, courteous and ambience was just perfect as well!!! Good value- a must stop for anyone in the area!!!
(5)Peter W.
This place is the best! My wife and I discovered this gem on a road trip a couple of years ago and now we go there every time we visit the Smoky's. First of all, it's like stepping into a time warp. You really feel like you're back in the 50's when you walk through the door. The staff is great, super friendly and fun. The food is great, but best of all are the malts and sundaes. We've never had a malt that good anywhere before. I don't know what they do, but it's magic. This is diner heaven!
(5)Anne B.
My husband and I went here for dinner while visiting the Smokies. What a great place to eat! The food was excellent and the service was great! The food came so quickly and the waitress was very friendly. We liked it so much, we went back the next night to eat there again. I would definitely recommend this restaurant when visiting the area. The restaurants in Gatlinburg were so crowded and overpriced and this was a much better alternative for dinner.
(5)Marion R.
Judy liked the chili. Great location and nice building, Food was just food nothing like you would see on Diner's Dives etc show on tv...
(3)Loren Martha T.
Are you in Gatlinburg wondering where the heck you should go for dinner? I know the feeling... You're surrounded by seemingly hundreds of pancake restaurants, tourist traps, and run down buffets all vying for your patronage with bright neon sings and promises of the "best meal in town for the best deal in town". Turning to Yelp, you seek an answer, a well written review to guide you-- I was in your spot on my last trip to Gatlinburg. After spending my day in Dollywood where a bottle of Coke is $3.98, and scouring over multiple menus from over priced restaurants in the area, I am so glad I found Mel's Diner. The food is reasonably priced, and you definitely get your money's worth. I got the shrimp basket, which was really good. My boyfriend got the fried catfish, which was honestly the best I've ever tried (right, who would've thought a place like this would have the best catfish I've ever had?!). I was a bit hesitant when I first saw the place, which looks like a hokey, wannabe 50's dinner. Don't let the exterior fool you, though. Its really quite charming, and I wound up really digging the interior with its neon pink lights, mirrored walls, and vintage juke box. Each booth has it's own coat rack, *bonus charm factor*! I didn't get to try one of their desserts because my shrimp basket filled me up, but they looked pretty dang good. I saw a 6 scoop banana split that someone had ordered and have vowed that next time I'm in Gatlinburg, I'll go back to Mel's to try one (maybe with tree scoops on mine, though). Anyways, you're quandary is now solved-- go to Mel's dinner, get some catfish or a burger or something-- you won't be sorry.
(5)Shellie H.
Best catfish dinner I have ever had! Loved it! Reuben and Elvis club were also very good.
(4)Phil Y.
A super cool looking diner with out of the can food and less than hoped for service. With 4 adults and two kids we got to try a variety of menu items when the waitress eventually came around. Service was slow but it was hard to tell why. The place was busy but they weren't in the weeds. We tried a number of classic diner dishes but nothing came out better than average. If I were to return it would be for a simple breakfast or one of those awesome looking banana splits.
(3)Will P.
Tasty breakfast On a cold, rainy morning I didn't want to venture far from my hotel so called up Mel's for a carryout breakfast order. By the time I arrived it was all ready so I picked up and headed home. Had the pancakes and they were quite good. The bacon was also delicious. The sausage was hard and overcooked, the hashbrowns were bland. Not a bad experience though.
(3)Wendell B.
Went to Mel's ate with 6 others and left happy and full the club sandwich was delicious blt and ham and cheese as well
(5)R. S.
Great place to eat. Good food, decent service, average pricing. I will definitely be back.
(4)Carri B.
Sorry to say this was a let down. The best thing this place has going for it is its friendly Tennessee waitstaff. Food not great.
(2)Craig C.
Exactly what you expect. Great interior. Decent service. Decent food.
(3)Jeremy S.
Do you like Diners? Doesn't matter because you'll like this place anyway. The classic diner atmosphere was just the icing on the cake. The staff and the service was exceptional. Our server, Heather, was amazing. She was extremely friendly and very helpful. She even got our food out ridiculously fast. This is always appreciated when you have 2 kids with you. I got the onion burger and it far exceeded my expectations. The onions were sauted to perfection, which I have found is a difficult task for most restaurants. They even give you a 15% discount on your next visit if you bring the receipt. I have plans to eat somewhere else on my second night in Pigeon Forge but Mel's has me reconsidering them. Great work all around, I give Mel's Diner the coveted 5 Doubleday rating!
(5)Jerry S.
Found this place On my honeymoon. Loved the nostalgic look and vibe of this restaurant. The food was pretty good. The server we had was very friendly and on the ball. Just wish the portions were bigger. Over all enjoyed the experience and would go back for sure
(4)Terri G.
Food was average service was fast and friendly! Didn't get dessert was full because servings are big but nothing I would say wow over.
(4)Erin D.
Great food and fast service. A great diner! BBQ was great, nachos were awesome. Not busy and great atmosphere!
(4)Joel P.
This place is awesome! Lots of cute older couples who are being reminded of their teenage years! Friendly, fun, cheap, and tasty! A must is you like diner foods!
(5)Shannon W.
I was impressed with the outside decorations, paintings of old cars on the windows, and the 60's music when you enter. The music was loud, but when you are seated, it isn't loud at all. The food was typical diner food and "pre-fab". The only thing that was homemade was the deserts. Although it was good food, it wasn't homemade or fresh. My Country Fried Steak seemed frozen and my husband's chicken was thin and dry. The service was great and she was friendly. Their desserts are very large and filling. With all the places to eat in Pigeon Forge, we probaby won't be returning here to eat.
(3)Melanie T.
This place gets 5 stars for the atmosphere and the awesome banana split! It was huge and so delicious I went back 2 times to get it! There food is pretty good too great little 50s style cafe!
(5)Esther L.
Absolutely delicious! We were in town for our honeymoon. We went to a Flapjacks that was terrible! We really wanted hashed browns (instead of home fries), country fried steak, and eggs. This place hit the spot with their gut buster meal!!! Everything was delicious and the service was great!
(5)Paul P.
It is diner food. Good Worth the money and great service.
(4)John V.
Mel's is a step back in time in appearance and taste. Want hamburgers and fry's that taste like they did in the 60's than stop by Mel's! The staff is dressed to match the period and provide you with fall all over you service! Yum, Yum described my bacon cheese burger with all the toppings! It was so tender and juicy with a fist full of flavor! My wife and I bring friends to Mel's every time we are here on vacation and they continue to provide us with a very pleasing experience! The price is right for the entire package. If you want to get your 60's yum on then go to Mel's Diner and eat up!
(4)Judy H.
First time at Mel's Diner. My husband and I ordered the bacon and eggs with hash browns and toast. Has browns were dry and luke warm. Toast was barely toasted, cold and soggy. Bacon and eggs were done right. We will not return.
(2)Melissa M.
Mel's Diner is a step back in time. Excellent service, delicious breakfast, great prices and a peaceful break from busy Pigeon Forge.
(5)Lee N.
It was my birthday. So we decided to eat here for my birthday breakfast. We were seated. And it took like 10 minutes before anyone even greeted us or come and take our drink orders. I noticed that two people came in after us. The the server greeted them and began to take their orders. So needless to say I was not a happy camper but it was my birthday and I wanted everything to be special. So I remained calm. I said to my partner let's go. He decided to ask the server did the individuals come in before us. She said to him I'm not sure but I don't have your table. The lady that did have our table said that she was making a milkshake and came over put straws down, did not take our drink orders. Left came back a minute later and took the orders of the people right across from us. I looked at my partner and I said this is not acceptable let's leave. So needless to say I don't know what the hell the food taste like, and I never will because it took forever for me to even get a drink. I will never ever ever ever go back to Mel's diner again in my life!
(1)Average G.
Go for the breakfast, it is awesome. French toast rocks and they offer Cheerwine! The burgers were also good but the breakfast took the cake. The chili cheese fries were awesome though. We had to try to banana split and that was worth it as well. The staff is nice and the food comes out extremely fast. Went twice during a 3 day stay in Pigeon Forge...would go back again.
(4)Lisa S.
Too greasy for my taste. But if you like heavy, greasy food you'll enjoy this place. The atmosphere is fun and comfortable and the place is very clean. The service is good but they won't make any substitutions on the menu. If you want any changes you have to pay extra.
(2)John G.
Just visted Mel's last week as I was visiting from Dallas and we ate there two days in a row.This is the true definition of a Diner, the staff was amazingly Friendly and gave us great service, the food was exactly like you would expect from a diner and i left not only very full but also with cash still in my pocket as the prices are very reasonable. This looks like a local hangout and also a place for out of town vistors. The homemake shakes, Sundaes and Bananna splits are a must try.
(4)Jeanni C.
Went for breakfast with family of 4. The waitress was nice and fast she suggested the special 2 eggs 2 pancakes bacon or sausage grits or has browns 4.95 good deal! Hubby and I had toast not pancakes its a dollar more each! I could not find the drinks on the menu when I got the check I know why 2.79 for a small apple juice and 2.99 for small milk!! Two adults two kids 32.95 plus tip!! The food was not good bacon had been cooked for hours, grits cold and has browns raw not even light brown!!! Go somewhere else where it's worth it!
(1)Mike J.
Wife and I stopped in for lunch. Wife had an Elvis sandwich with cheese fries and said it was good. I didn't enjoy my BBQ as much, almost like the cheap slop stuff you got at school. The pasta salad was ok but the fried pickles were awesome! Service was fast and friendly. Cool diner decor and semi loud music rocking. I'd give it another try if I ever went back to area.
(3)Sarah N.
Went here 2 days in a row. Good place to eat (except for the french fries - yuck! - get the onion rings) Breakfast is good and so is lunch! Has a good atmosphere and friendly faces. Def will go back on the next trip!
(4)Keith H.
I loved the atmosphere of this place, with the oldies music playing. The food was good, and I didn't have to wait long. The waitress was very friendly, and overall I had a good experience here.
(3)Kris F.
The wings are excellent, burgers were dry. The service was mediocre. The decor and authenticity of a diner is spot on. It was a good fast meal. Use the coupon found in local discount books 10%!!!!
(3)Valerie C.
Great food and good chili cheese fries
(4)Bryan M.
Looks to be a good breakfast place. Good service. burger and fries no good!
(2)Brooks H.
Our party had 4 adults and 5 children on a friday night and we were quickly given two tables side by side, which was great. The service was really good. We had a rock star waitress and another gentlemen that checked on us often. Overall, the food was ok. The chocolate malt shakes had a funky taste to them and one of the onion rings was still frozen. Besides that, everyone's entrees were decent. Unfortunately, I woke up early the next morning with food poisoning and was sick for 24 hours straight... I'll spare you the details. While I can't 100% trace it back to Mel's Diner, I won't be going back any time soon because other than that, all I ate was a ham sandwich made from leftover thanksgiving ham that 11 other people had with no problems. Try it for yourself.
(2)Jon S.
Great little place. Service was good, food was good. Had the pot roast special, wife had the mushroom burger and we both enjoyed it. They were happy o have our two kids and accommodated us great.. First time there, if we are I'm the area again we will def. eat there again.
(4)Emad A.
Not bad!!
(2)Kay W.
We went on vacation and arrived in Pigeon Forge around 9pm. We were hungry and needed something good, Mel's did it for us. I had the gravy and biscuits and my DH had the pull apart barbeque, it was just what we needed. I would recommend eating here.
(4)Robert P.
First time visitors tonight. Pancakes, French Dip, Cheeseburger and Patty Melt in our party. All really good. Staff is friendly and efficient. All around good food,service and comfort. A bit noisy but when it's Ray Charles or Sam Cook. so easy to endorse...
(5)Food C.
Great food. Good service. All I can do is suggest that you get the chicken fried steak. The best I've ever had.
(5)Rachel W.
The food was pretty awesome for diner food. I had biscuits and gravy with two eggs. So so good. The chocolate milkshake I had was excellent too. The waitress was efficient and the food was brought out hot and quickly. I will come back, especially because we found a 15 percent off coupon after the fact. :-)
(5)Garth E.
Good reviews from another source brought us here on our most recent vacation. With high hopes we entered to a welcoming atmosphere adorned with 40's and 50's memorabilia...that is until we met the hostess - unfriendly and impersonal. Our server was quite the opposite, friendly and personable. My wife and I each ordered a burger, and grilled cheese for the kid. The real shock came when the food came. What a poor excuse for a burger. It was obviously a highly-processed, frozen food product of some sort served with the cheapest ingredients possible. The "meat" was a light brown color and the grilled cheese was even worse. So unless you're just visiting for a milk shake and the nostalgia, avoid this hole at all cost.
(1)Samantha M.
One of my favorite places to eat in the Smokies. You can get great food most any time of the day. But Breakfast is my favorite. The biscuits and gravy are always tops.
(5)Anthony J.
Love this place. We eat here at least once, if not more, every time we visit Pigeon Forge. The food is great!
(4)Brian H.
This was an awesome little diner. I got the Philly Cheese stea and fries, the wife got Chicken Cheese steak and pasta salad....then we split the sandwiches. Hers was better but mine was still good. The pasta salad was bland and NOT good. It just sat there. My daughter got the child's cheeseburger and loved it. The fries are the tiny little shoestrings....very good. The service was excellent and helpfull. We loved the old 50's -70's music and the decor. We will definitely be back.
(4)Cristen C.
This is a quaint little place that truly lives up to the "diner" in the name. They serve breakfast all day, and it is pretty good standard breakfast without being greasy. The waitress was good, she really knew the menu. Service was fast. One drawback is because it is so small inside you might have to wait a few minutes for a table, and there is little standing room. They claim to be famous for their banana splits but I didn't have one.
(3)Christine M.
We visited the area from NY this past week. Mel's Diner is a MUST if you are in the Pigeon Forge area. Food was excellent with great prices!
(4)Autumn P.
Ate breakfast here this morning and left feelng full and happy. The place is decorated in a 50's style and my son thought that was way cool! The food was good and prepared exactly as we ordered it...and quickly I might add. It is an affordable choice to eat and enjoy the company of your wonderful family! We would definately eat here again.
(4)Michelle J.
Nice little spot to eat after a long day at Dollywood!!! Waitresses were friendly, food was good and service was fast!!!
(4)joyce g.
Great place for burgers & milkshakes, or breakfast! Fun lively place - Happy Days!
(4)Aj R.
Go For the Burgers Stay for the Milkshakes ! Most of the food here is Pretty good but the Brurgers are Huge and taste Awesome! Mel's is not a quiet place so be aware of that but it is great for kids. The chocolate shakes here are the old fashion ones made with Real Ice cream and are totally worth the calories. Mel's is family friendly and the service is fast, If your looking for high end dinning this is not it but for casual quick bites it's Perfect !
(4)Lyndsey D.
We really enjoyed our time here, came back a second time our four day trip to the area. First we did the breakfast fare, focus on pancakes, which were huge, fluffy, and so good. Next time we did cheeseburgers, with their good onion rings, and then shared banana splits. Everything was very good, american food. Wait staff was hit or miss with friendliness, but they always did their job with serving and refilling drinks.
(4)Cole M.
Average food and great customer service balance out for a place to go for lunch during your stay in Pigeon Forge. The prices are fine for lunch and if you're staying nearby it's very worth it because of the consistent quality of the food. Would go back for lunch most definitely.
(3)Kriss W.
The hubby and I tried this for the first time over the 4th of July holiday weekend. It was a cute little diner with interesting 50ish decor. We had burgers - he had a double cheese burger and I had a patty melt on the suggestion of our server. They were served fast and hot. This is not the place to hang out and linger over a meal - but it was tasty and served the purpose for a quick late lunch. We want to go back and try the breakfast at some point. We didn't have room for the ice cream sundaes, but we saw a couple and they were monsters.
(3)Steve C.
Reasonable prices, good service, and quick. My wife was impressed because the waitress saw her cutting up my son's pancakes and told her to let her do it so she could get started eating. She said no waiter or waitress had ever done that before. I had the chicken philly and it was excellent.
(4)Brian L.
Always busy, always good! Great American fare with a 1950's theme. I've eaten here many times and recommend most everything on the menu. The burgers are great, onion rings with REAL onions, liberal helpings. The meatloaf is, well, meatloaf - nothing special, nothing bad. The salads are run of the mill Iceberg lettuce salads, again: nothing special, nothing bad. Chili is sweet, made with kidney beans, very good. Breakfast is great! Price-wise, expect to spend about $10-$15 per person.
(3)Picky E.
went late-ish 9:30 or so one night. had to wait a couple minutes to get a booth but was worth it. food and service was very good. didn't see alice of flo though :^) i just had a cheeseburger and wife had a chili cheeseburger and didn't like the chili. scaped it off and had a good burger out of it.
(4)Dianna H.
November 2nd, 2010 Coming from Atlanta, GA, this was our first trip to Gatlinburg, TN. Although it didn't have a promising start at the welcome center (Pigeon Forge), we set out with loads of attraction guides and coupon books and made our way through a very fun day. At the welcome center, I asked the woman who worked there what restaurants she would recommend. I asked specifically for places that are only in the area, not major chains. She responded with "Well, there's an IHOP." When I asked her again if there were any that weren't major chains she said "Oh well that's what people like. I don't know." Mel's Diner was our first stop after that experience. I don't really remember the hostess, if that says anything, but our waitress was awesome. We never ran out of anything, she helped us choose (French dip sandwich for me, Patty melt for the hubby, and she advised us that one children's chicken fingers plate would satisfy our 2 and 4 year old). Their sweet tea was excellent, the food was great, and the service was exceptional. We will most definitely be eating here again when we return.
(5)Virginia T.
Maybe it's just because we were starving after a long day at Dollywood but the food here was fantastic! The decor was adorable and done up as a 50s diner. The prices were great and even though it was 11pm the place was pretty busy. We were happy to get a table right away and I ordered coffee. It was okay but the rest of my order was delish. I ordered a patty melt with onion rings. The melt had Swiss cheese and was loaded with grilled onions. It was on a beautiful rye bread and was juicy and greasy like all great patty melts should be. The onion rings were hot and crispy. My husband got the Otis Onion burger. It was also loaded with grilled onions and a wonderful cheddar cheese. He devoured it along with his onion rings and said he was a happy camper. In a touristy town filled with a million restaurants, this will be our new 'go-to' joint.
(5)Mike T.
Cafeteria food- everything wrong with this place. Hand pulled-pork dinner. Pulled pork looked like a piece of dog doo- Mac and cheese- over cooked and mushy. Did not even try the store bought potato salad. Service was horrible-
(1)Wanderin' J.
We stopped here for a quick lunch after spending most of the morning around Gatlinburg. We were extremely pleased. The food was excellent and the service just as good. We loved the inside of the diner. It was even better than what we expected. The place was packed so we figured other folks liked it just as much as we did.
(5)Amber E.
We stopped in on the second day of vacation because this place looked really cute. It wasn't very busy at 10:00 AM for tourist season. Maybe because their breakfast isn't fantastic. It's sufficient but not fantastic. It's cute and the wait staff is super friendly but the food is just okay.
(3)Janos J.
We stopped here for dinner as Mel's was right by our hotel. First day, they were too busy, so we came back, thinking this place must be the hot place in town. The inside décor is cool and something that goes back to the 50's and 60's, but that was just about all. Yet the locals seem to love this place. Our server, was quite unorganized and it took about 20 minutes to get our food. I observed a few others who came in after us who received their food first, maybe our server forgot to put in our order? Anyhow, the food here is your typical traditional American fries, onion rings and hamburgers that are cooked in too much grease. This is not a place that I would visit more than once. If you are health conscious, stay away. [Review #297] (Fifthy Seventh Review of 2015)
(2)Savannah W.
Meatloaf was delicious, but the green bean side dish was revolting. Came with "Texas toast," which was basically a piece of regular toast grilled on one side. Boyfriend's grilled cheese was stacked, so that was a nice surprise. Our food did come quickly and our drinks were always at least halfway full. We had room for dessert but opted out of getting it here due to the sub-par food we ate.
(3)Patty C.
Yes, I'm giving Mel's Diner 5 Stars. It's not fancy but it's really damn delicious. This time around, we sat at the bar - it was cool to watch the cooks and servers. Our server was awesome and our food came out super fast. Love that they still make old-fashioned milk shakes (you get all the "extra" too). Both of the husband and my son got cheeseburgers - one with fries and one with onion rings. I got a fried bologna sandwich - it was awesome! The fries were good but the onion rings were perfection! I love that it's a simple meal done well, laid back location, reasonably priced and a throw back to another time.
(5)Laurie E.
Consistently good ! Had a huge omelet the big Al full of meat ! Also added veggies it was stuffed full of meat, cheese and veggies .Great career wait staff ! Quick ,delicious also great shakes just a real fun place with great diner food !
(5)Sarah D.
Best banana split and hot fudge sundaes ever!! My family and I just finished eating dinner at Margaritaville and were less than impressed with the service so we decided to come to Mel's Diner for dessert based on the ratings. This place is exactly what you would expect from a fifties diner and some. The staff were very friendly and we were sat in a corner booth overlooking the entire diner. This was beyond what was expected as the parking lot was entirely full when we pulled in. Our waitress took our orders and made our desserts in under five minutes. She came to the table three times to check on us and was full of southern charm. The banana split was amazing as was the hot fudge sundae. I could barely eat the three scoop banana split so you may want to share it with someone. I love the jukebox playing in the background the ambience was amazing. I used to bathroom to wash up after eating and the bathrooms were extremely clean. We will be visiting again!
(5)Mel A.
I have a diner! This takes me back to my childhood when 'Alice', a long-running tv series featured Alice who worked at Mel Sharples' diner in Phoenix. This Mel's Diner is in the heart of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Here you'll find a classic diner with classic diner food - from malts and banana splits to burgers, hot dogs, fries, onion rings and more. Feeling nostalgic? Their starters are named after the characters of Happy Days: Joanie and Chachi, Fonzarelli and Potsy, And you'll find a lot of references to celebrities from the 50s throughout the menu. We had the shrimp basket, burger, wings, onion rings, and pulled pork sandwich. I had a taste of everything -- yum! Inside the diner you'll find a lot of 50s memorabilia with a juke box playing the classics. And don't forget you're in Mel's Diner...the servers wear t-shirts with Flo's classic line, "Kiss my grits!" But they're much nicer.
(4)bridget m.
I had the Hot Mama Egg White omelette and it was good. Typical Mel's Diner omelette did not disappoint. What was disappointing was the service and cleanliness of the restaurant. Our waitress didn't seem to know the menu (maybe she was new). She also disappeared for an unusually long period of time. once we were done eating we had to sit and wait for the bills. When she came back she smelled like cigarettes. The restaurant itself was small and not very clean. Our table was sticky and was wiped down with a smelly rag. Maybe I'm partial to the good service we have Mel's back home.
(3)Lacey M.
NOTHING SPECIAL. Go to a Waffle House/IHOP/Denny's for breakfast and you'll get the same taste. Husband had the Miss Ninas Mo for your money breakfast special. It wasn't bad just nothing special. Eggs, sausage, bacon, hash browns, biscuits and gravy. I had the Reuben sandwich with fries...small helping of fries. And Reuben had literally no thousand island dressing so I asked for some on the side. But it was good..once again not the best place but decent. Total spend about $20.00 without tip.
(3)Andrea C.
Stopped in the other night for a quick dinner. Everyone wanted burgers, except my son, who wanted breakfast. No problem, breakfast is served all day. Our server was Dawn, and she was fast, efficient and very friendly. Everything was good, although I have had a better burger. Cute, quaint, SMALL diner. Good experience.
(3)Michele S.
The best decision we made to eat at! The food was great and serve was beyond excellent! It was so good we went two days in a row! Don't miss out on this place!!!
(5)Sherri K.
My family had dinner here tonight. The food and service were superb. The only 2 complaints I have were that we were seated clear in a back alcove and the AC wasn't great in this area and there were flies that kept buzzing around. Other than that it was awesome!
(4)Scott M.
Nice burger place. Crowded but we got seated quick. Service was friendly and quick. Food was good. I'd stop in again.
(5)Carlton M.
Food wasn't that great. Burger had to be cooked well done for some reason. The soda's were FLAT ------- BUT Shelby our server was EXCELLENT. She knew I didn't like the pulled pork and offered something else, I will not be returning to Mel's but if you go ask for Shelby.
(2)Nick F.
Staff was very good and polite. We ate breakfast and my kids ate the entire meal. They are reasonably priced and would eat there again.
(5)Nick G.
Food was mediocre and the service was not very good. The waitress did not check on us after delivering our food. She was talking at the counter and I had to flag her down for a drink refill. We are a family of five and each of us had a breakfast entree and a drink, with tip the bill was $70, for diner food. Not a good value for the money.
(2)Wayne A.
While on vacation we saw Mel's and figured we would try them for breakfast.....the food was great (huge portions) and the service was top notch
(5)Kelly A.
Getting 4 stars because I'm from nj where we have real dinners. All the diners here seem like they are just novelties. But that aside..though it's not your typical diner (and U would only know what that is if you've lived in or visited nj or ny) it's pretty good! If you eat there U get 15 percent off your next visit!
(4)Jim G.
A bit of nostalgia! Food is great and our server was hilarious. If you are in Pigeon Forge stop in at Mel's Dinner. You won't be disappointed. Fuzzy dice and Poodle dresses are optional!
(4)Kristy P.
I had written out a list of food places I wanted to visit before I left Kentucky, and this was one of them. I almost forgot but drove by today on my way to laser port, and decided to stop by. I have very few negatives for this place, which Ill list, but TONS of positives! First, their food was probably one of the best I've ever had in my life. I've never eaten cheese sticks that good. Or french fries. I seriously don't know what it was about the fries, I couldn't put my finger on it, but they had this baked taste that reminded me a little of toast. They were so good. Only negative was we asked the waitress to put cheese on them and they came without cheese. But, in her defense my husband had told her and he does mumble quite often, so she may not have heard him. I also go the chips and salsa just to take back to my cabin (Its like 35 minute drive from town so I needed something for snacking later) and they were quite delicious as well. Nothing special by no means, but really good. My husband got a burger (I'm a vegetarian so I didn't try it) and he said it was really good as well. He even stopped to ask them where they got their bread. He said it was the best hamburger bun he'd ever tried and one of the best burgers in general he'd ever had. I was greeted at the door by a very nice gentleman that appeared to either be the owner or management. He then gave menu's to a waitress who seated us. He was very polite and kind, and so was the waitress. The food got out really fast. I think like 10 minutes for both my husband and my own food. We were greatful because we hadn't eaten yet that day and it was 4:00! Its really lovely on the inside of the restaurant, and definitely brings you back to another decade. Only one of the waitresses looked like she was from the decade (she had made her makeup and hair look like a young teen from that era) but that wasn't at all a deal-breaker or issue. I wouldn't want to be expected to dress in costume to go to work. It was a bit pricey, but was worth the price. The menu and the prices were very similar to Huddle House,but tasted way better than Huddle House ever could. I'm probably going back in the morning before heading home. Also the little giftshop up front is pretty great, and the jukebox was wonderful. I give 5 stars, a must stop!
(5)J P.
If I could give this a zero I would. We did not know u could ruin breakfast. Tasted so poorly we took two bites each and left. Service was horrible. Should have went to McD's. Don't waste your money. If you're local u already know this.
(1)Mary B.
My family stopped in for a bacon cheeseburger after a funfilled night at the Track. Although the food was edible the service was not the greatest. She barely checked on us and being a server myself was a little irritated. Even after she dropped the check we went to pay waited ..went to the bathroom, went to car waited a moment and watched I dont even know if she recieved her tip. I know she was a new server but I would watch my money. ....breakfast was huge and very tasty. :)
(3)Christopher H.
Eating at Mel's Diner is like walking back into time. From the time you drive up to the restaurant you are going back in time. Once inside we were greeted quickly and our orders taken as soon as we were ready. Within just a few minutes our party of 4 was brought our food. I had the barbecue dinner and I can't say enough about the quality of the food. It was brought out hot and fresh and tasted awesome. Afterwards everyone in our group was so impressed we were talking about how glad we went to Mel's that day. Mel's Diner is a shining star in what can be a very hit or miss dining experience city.
(4)Brittany H.
Walked in for a late breakfast. Was seated immediately. Staff was very happy and prompt. Food was made hot and quick. Really tasty! We didn't get anything special but it was a really good experience!
(5)Tony P.
Linda's (double stacked) Grilled Cheese was excellent, definitely for the adult menu. The pickle chips were good, onion rings had a great fresh crunch to them. The staff is very friendly and the decor is just what you would expect from the outside classic diner.
(5)Jennifer B.
And all we wanted was a hamburger after a day of playing and swimming.....and we got "school cafeteria food". This place was close and looked super cute. It looked like maybe we had found a hidden gem, so we thought we'd try this place. Maybe this would be a "locals" place, off the beaten path....maybe a Diners, Drive Ins and Dives?? The meat loaf was recommended and the waitress said it was large portions. We ordered it and it was a very small portion. It was horribly dry and tasted like Pace salsa and ketchup. The cheeseburger was like a a hockey puck (thankfully we had a ton of condiments). Save your time and money. Go to Five Guys. Or Burger King.
(1)Rachel W.
Came an he before closing on our first night into TN. Food was great! We are from New Orleans so I can be picky when it comes to what I say is "great food". Lots of options, good prices too!
(5)Diego G.
There's nothing like a trip to a good diner. Mel's is definitely that place! We had burgers, hot dogs and a French dip. All were great and we're already planning a tip back.
(4)Irene W.
We went there for breakfast. It was ok. Very friendly staff, prompt service. Coffee was ok, nothing special. I had french toast, again good but nothing earth shattering. Its nice that they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner all day and the decor is retro so that was interesting.
(3)Karina S.
My husband and I ate here on a very busy Sunday morning, we had the special as recommended by the waitress and it was as amazing as she promised. The service was quick and friendly, the pancakes were delicious, and as a bonus we got a 15% off coupon with our receipt for our next trip!
(5)Walt S.
Mel's Diner in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is as go-to as a down home as the come. Kitschy with its cash register/souvenir corner filled with Harley-Davidson/Mel's Diner black t-shirts, coffee mugs shouting "Kiss My Grits" and even the plastic coin purses #throwback. As diners must be Mel's serves whatever it might be on the menu 24-7. Proof? At 8AM while I was ordering a veggie omelet, grits and toast,... my travelin' buddy ordered up pot roast with two eggs over easy. A second visit the next day found him ordering an egg white veggie omelet with bacon folded in. Me? I had to try Mel's famous Bette Davis BLT and fries. Killah, just killah! Our counter server both days was LaDonna who declared from the start she was a member of the G.R.I.T.S. Club (long version - Girls Raised In The South). Hoooooo Weeeeeee! Some kinda service from LaDonna, I'll say. Church talk is tossed around like a baby on a politician's lap. There's Rock 'n Roll playing on the big jukebox. The kitchen crews is johnny on the spot with orders, very little waiting, and the atmosphere is downright .... well,....you get a heapin' helpin' of Tennessee boys and girls. Have a seat at Mel's Diner if you're ever visiting Pigeon Forge. I think y'all will love it.
(4)kevin b.
Wow - Fun place to eat at - The prices are low for the portions that you get. The service is super fast. The waiter was so much fun. Would definitely go again.
(5)Andria Y.
Great breakfast fir good price and fast service. Lots of food. Thanks for the atmosphere too.
(4)Paul P.
Ate here 8/9/2014... it wasn't bad but there are better places to eat at in the area. I really like the classic diner feel that it has. It has a ton of vintage building signs and has a throwback-style jukebox which only takes 25 cents. :D Our waitress was nice to us, but it was fairly busy (not ridiculously slow though). The food was about average. I had a cheeseburger with onions and bacon. It was alright, flavor seemed pretty forgettable. I liked the fries though. Prices could be better too. While the atmosphere of this place really makes it inviting, its food doesn't do much justice. I'd say go somewhere else. :\
(3)Mary S.
Everything about Mel's screams Diner. Very good service. I'm always amazed by what they offer at their price point. You can get breakfast all day long.
(4)Chantal C.
Was not a big fan of this place. The food was not really good. Greasy and very bland. They were under staff so we never got our drinks refilled and my daughters bowl of soup did not come out until we were ready to leave. We ask repeatedly for it and was always told oh I'll be right back and we never saw them again. Will not be back EVER again and if I was you I would never visit it.
(1)Samie S.
Went there based on the reviews and was not disappointed. We had a breakfast dinner and it was just like homemade. We got good service and the price was right. Worth going to.
(4)Joey R.
The cheeseburger and onion rings were some of the best we have had. My picky eater really liked the chicken strips. Will comeback again for breakfast and desserts.
(4)