Mel’s Drive-In

Mel’s Drive-In is a family-owned restaurant group with deep roots in California’s dining culture. The brand traces its origins to 1947, when Mel Weiss and Harold Dobbs opened the first Mel’s in San Francisco. The restaurant quickly became a local favorite and gained national recognition after being featured in the film American Graffiti. Although the original locations closed in the 1970s, the Weiss family revived Mel’s in 1985, reestablishing its place in the state’s restaurant landscape.

As of November 2025, Mel’s Drive-In operates seven locations across California, with a presence in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Santa Monica. Each restaurant is known for its retro 1950s diner atmosphere, classic American menu, and commitment to preserving historic architecture, particularly the distinctive “Googie” style. Over the past five years, Mel’s has focused on selective renovations and concept updates rather than rapid expansion. Notably, Mel’s Kitchen in San Francisco has undergone enhancements that reflect the company’s approach to evolving its offerings while honoring its heritage.

Mel’s Drive-In stands out for its consistent ability to attract both locals and tourists, its use of iconic properties, and its stable, carefully managed footprint. The company remains independent and family-operated, prioritizing the preservation of its brand identity and the adaptive reuse of historic sites. While Mel’s is not actively pursuing new markets, it remains open to opportunities that fit its heritage-driven strategy, maintaining a reputation for quality and cultural relevance in California’s restaurant scene.