Mel's Drive-In facts for kids
Mel's Drive-In is the name for two American restaurant chains. They both came from a restaurant started in 1947. This first restaurant was opened by Mel Weiss and Harold Dobbs in San Francisco, California. These restaurants are famous for their connection to the movie American Graffiti.
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Locations and Names
There are many Mel's restaurants in Northern California. They all have a similar old-school, 1950s style. These places are called "Original Mels." They have their own website and are connected to the first Mel's.
The Weiss family later split up, leading to two different chains. The older Mr. Weiss sold his part of the company in 1994. Now, a group of about 50 owners runs that chain. One location in Walnut Creek, California shares the history of the first San Francisco Mel's.
Some Mel's Drive-In spots are not actually "drive-ins." This means you can't eat in your car there. For example, none of the Mel's in San Francisco let you eat in your car today.
The signs and menus of the original Mel's Diners did not use an apostrophe. So, it was "Mels" not "Mel's." But when Universal Studios made copies of the diners for their theme parks, they added the apostrophe. You can see this at Hollywood, Orlando, and other Universal parks.
After the last original Mel's closed in the 1970s, Mel Weiss's son, Steven Weiss, opened new ones. He started the first new Mel's Drive-In in 1985. By 2020, there were 7 Mel's Drive-In locations. Most are in California, plus one called Mel's Kitchen.
One Mel's near downtown San Francisco became "Mel's Kitchen." It's a bit fancier now. They serve more expensive food and drinks. This spot was almost torn down to build homes.
Southern California Mel's
All four Mel's Drive-In locations in Southern California are in historic buildings. The one in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, was built in 1953. It has a cool "googie" style. This style uses futuristic shapes and bright signs.
Another Mel's in West Hollywood was built in 1962. It also has the "googie" style. The Mel's in Hollywood is in part of the old Max Factor makeup studio. This building was made in 1935. The Mel's in Santa Monica was built in 1958. It also features the "googie" style.
Protest for Fairness
In October 1963, people protested at Mel's Drive-In. A group called the Ad Hoc Committee to End Discrimination led the protests. They were upset because the restaurant would serve food to African Americans. They also hired them as cooks. But African Americans were not allowed to work "up front." This meant they couldn't be seen by white customers.
More than 100 protesters were arrested during these events. The protests stopped when Harold Dobbs, one of the owners, made an agreement. He decided to let black workers serve customers "up front." This was an important step for equal rights.
Mel's in Movies and TV
In 1972, the restaurant was chosen by filmmaker George Lucas. He used it for his 1973 movie American Graffiti. The Mel's used was in San Francisco. It's where the movie starts and where the opening credits play. You can hear Bill Haley’s song "Rock Around the Clock" during this scene.
Being in the movie made Mel's very famous. Some people say it even saved the company from closing. Pictures and signs from Mel's are often used to promote the movie.
Universal Studios built a copy of Mel's Drive-In at their park. This was because of its role in American Graffiti. For many years, this copy was also a gift shop.
Before American Graffiti, Mel's was in the 1967 movie Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. In that film, Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn drive by a Mel's. Tracy orders ice cream there. He also has a small argument with another driver. This Mel's was in San Francisco.
Mel's restaurants have also appeared in other media. These include the TV show Melrose Place (in 1996). They were also in Doonesbury comics in 1989. The book The American Drive-in also features Mel's.
The address for the Mel's Drive-In in West Hollywood is on some band posters. It's found on signed photos for the band Ghost.
Gallery
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Mel's Drive-In sign in San Francisco.
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Bar seating at a Mels Drive-In
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Mel's drive in Hollywood
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Sweet potato fries at Original Mels Diner
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Original Mels Diner at Boomtown in Verdi, Nevada
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Mels Drive-In on Market Street in San Francisco
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Mels Drive-In sign in San Francisco
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Breakfast at Mels Drive-in
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Original Mels in Fairfield, CA
