This place has the best burger in Garland County. And ask about their daily specials I haven't had a bad meal from this place yet.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheeseburger Deluxe, Country Fried Steak Orchicken
Kidrolla
Mels Southern Diner is a cozy and friendly mom and pop place that serves classic American fare. I ordered the double jalapeno jack burger with tots and a drink, which cost me $16.69. The burger was juicy and tender, with a generous amount of cheese and jalapenos. The tots were crispy and hot, and the drink was refreshing. However, I felt that the food was lacking in flavor and seasoning. The burger could have used some more sauce, spices, or herbs to make it more exciting. The tots were bland and needed some salt or ketchup. The drink was just a regular soda, nothing special. Overall, the food was okay, but not memorable. I would recommend Mels Diner for a quick and casual meal, but not for a gourmet experience.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Terry Rowton
Ordered plate lunches was told they do not do these on weekend so I ordered cheeseburger and Ruben then older lady came to window and informed me they didn't serve these either so I asked what they did serve she slamed the menu told me the didn't serve anything and slammed the window very rude and hateful will never use this location again
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Dietrich Duke
Riding through the area, we decided to stop for lunch at a local haunt. It was between this place or Mr. Whiskers down the street as we had a soccer game nearby. After deciding on Mels because they had all day breakfast, we made our way to the restaurant to arrive around noon -- 2 hours before their posted closing time.Entering the teenincy dining room, the first thought was 'is this place even open?'. The AC wasn't working and there weren't any other people in the restaurant. Oh well. The server came out and said all they had on the menu that day were burgers. Bleh. I can get a burger anywhere. But, we were here and I didn't feel like getting everyone loaded back up to go down the street so we made the best of it.I ordered the patty melt, my wife and daughter and her friend each ordered a cheeseburger -- in my wife's case, a double. The burgers came out and were of decent size. The flavor is about what you would expect from a greasy dive like this. My patty melt was anything but. It was more like a grilled cheese burger. To me, a patty melt is a patty in between two slices of rye bread with swiss and grilled onions. No more, no less. What I got was a small patty between two pieces of white bread with melted cheese and a few onions on it. It wasn't bad, just not a patty melt, and for $12.50, it was seriously lacking. I could have gone to whataburger and gotten a $12.50 patty melt that is not a patty melt, but I digress.Midway through our meal, around 12:45, they decided to close the restaurant. No big deal, I suppose, but the advert out on the street even said open until 2. At no time were we told they were closing early or short staffed, so we just assume this is the way they do things here. As I was cashing out, I noticed they charge extra for credit card transactions. 50 cents for tickets < $16; $3.50 for tickets higher than that. Be warned. Also know that this place is itty bitty. I mean, it's about as big as an apartment kitchen. They do have outside tables and a walkup window, so I guess most of their business is done togo.So I give them 3 stars all around. The service was average -- nothing spectacular. The food was ok for what it was; and the atmosphere, well. Not quite what I expected and since the AC was out on a hot day like today, I have to take some points in that category. Will I try them again in the future? I doubt it. Maybe if I'm in the area, its early morning and they are guaranteed to have breakfast then maybe I would, but even then, would I be able to find a place to sit?
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Ariel Sweet
Best place in the world. And the bestest cook ever , ? Mel sure can make it taste bubs light
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bacon Egg and Cheese Biscuit, Cheeseburger Deluxe, Reuben Sandwich, French Dip Sandwich, Country Fried Steak Orchicken, Onion Rings, Gril Ed or Smothered Chops
Karen Cline-Tardiff
I really like sunny side up eggs, but almost no one can cook them right. But Mel's were PERFECT. Friendly service. Great food. Don't let the outside looks fool you, this is some really good breakfast! Not a huge menu, but what they do have is done right. Will definitely be back for lunch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vashti Ortiz
THE best burger in hot springs!! Very reasonable prices! I have been about 3 times in the past month and have not had a bad experience yet.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
T Deller
No highchair for a 2 yr old . Not easy and so many flies its hard to enjoy food when your fighting flies while trying to
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 3
Thelma Deller
No highchair for a 2 yr old . Not easy and so many flies its hard to enjoy food when your fighting flies while trying to eat
Very good food waitress attentive polite great service. Will go
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
Randy Crook
Place was kinda old and dated but the food was good and server was nice , it seemed a bit overpriced for a burger and fries overall I'll probably go
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Ashley James
The server was very sweet and knowledgeable about the menu items, she checked on us regularly. The food was cooked to perfection, every item. And the pricing was great for the portion sizes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Leighton James
Crispy hash browns,biscuits and sausage gravy,eggs over easy, French toast,and ham were all done to perfection.Friendly staff,and if you Like small place atmosphere and good biscuits, this is your place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brittany Risner
Giving a 3 star because the food is in fact good, however the food poisoning that came with it the last 2 times I’ve eaten there not so great..Ate here two weeks ago along with other places that weekend so I wasn’t sure where I had gotten the food poisoning from until now, with it being the only place/thing I have eaten today.
This place has the best burger in Garland County. And ask about their daily specials I haven't had a bad meal from this place yet.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheeseburger Deluxe, Country Fried Steak Orchicken
Mels Southern Diner is a cozy and friendly mom and pop place that serves classic American fare. I ordered the double jalapeno jack burger with tots and a drink, which cost me $16.69. The burger was juicy and tender, with a generous amount of cheese and jalapenos. The tots were crispy and hot, and the drink was refreshing. However, I felt that the food was lacking in flavor and seasoning. The burger could have used some more sauce, spices, or herbs to make it more exciting. The tots were bland and needed some salt or ketchup. The drink was just a regular soda, nothing special. Overall, the food was okay, but not memorable. I would recommend Mels Diner for a quick and casual meal, but not for a gourmet experience.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Ordered plate lunches was told they do not do these on weekend so I ordered cheeseburger and Ruben then older lady came to window and informed me they didn't serve these either so I asked what they did serve she slamed the menu told me the didn't serve anything and slammed the window very rude and hateful will never use this location again
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Riding through the area, we decided to stop for lunch at a local haunt. It was between this place or Mr. Whiskers down the street as we had a soccer game nearby. After deciding on Mels because they had all day breakfast, we made our way to the restaurant to arrive around noon -- 2 hours before their posted closing time.Entering the teenincy dining room, the first thought was 'is this place even open?'. The AC wasn't working and there weren't any other people in the restaurant. Oh well. The server came out and said all they had on the menu that day were burgers. Bleh. I can get a burger anywhere. But, we were here and I didn't feel like getting everyone loaded back up to go down the street so we made the best of it.I ordered the patty melt, my wife and daughter and her friend each ordered a cheeseburger -- in my wife's case, a double. The burgers came out and were of decent size. The flavor is about what you would expect from a greasy dive like this. My patty melt was anything but. It was more like a grilled cheese burger. To me, a patty melt is a patty in between two slices of rye bread with swiss and grilled onions. No more, no less. What I got was a small patty between two pieces of white bread with melted cheese and a few onions on it. It wasn't bad, just not a patty melt, and for $12.50, it was seriously lacking. I could have gone to whataburger and gotten a $12.50 patty melt that is not a patty melt, but I digress.Midway through our meal, around 12:45, they decided to close the restaurant. No big deal, I suppose, but the advert out on the street even said open until 2. At no time were we told they were closing early or short staffed, so we just assume this is the way they do things here. As I was cashing out, I noticed they charge extra for credit card transactions. 50 cents for tickets < $16; $3.50 for tickets higher than that. Be warned. Also know that this place is itty bitty. I mean, it's about as big as an apartment kitchen. They do have outside tables and a walkup window, so I guess most of their business is done togo.So I give them 3 stars all around. The service was average -- nothing spectacular. The food was ok for what it was; and the atmosphere, well. Not quite what I expected and since the AC was out on a hot day like today, I have to take some points in that category. Will I try them again in the future? I doubt it. Maybe if I'm in the area, its early morning and they are guaranteed to have breakfast then maybe I would, but even then, would I be able to find a place to sit?
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Best place in the world. And the bestest cook ever , ? Mel sure can make it taste bubs light
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bacon Egg and Cheese Biscuit, Cheeseburger Deluxe, Reuben Sandwich, French Dip Sandwich, Country Fried Steak Orchicken, Onion Rings, Gril Ed or Smothered Chops
I really like sunny side up eggs, but almost no one can cook them right. But Mel's were PERFECT. Friendly service. Great food. Don't let the outside looks fool you, this is some really good breakfast! Not a huge menu, but what they do have is done right. Will definitely be back for lunch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
THE best burger in hot springs!! Very reasonable prices! I have been about 3 times in the past month and have not had a bad experience yet.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
No highchair for a 2 yr old . Not easy and so many flies its hard to enjoy food when your fighting flies while trying to
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 3
No highchair for a 2 yr old . Not easy and so many flies its hard to enjoy food when your fighting flies while trying to eat
Cheese Burger was delicious, very
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Very good food waitress attentive polite great service. Will go
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
Place was kinda old and dated but the food was good and server was nice , it seemed a bit overpriced for a burger and fries overall I'll probably go
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
The server was very sweet and knowledgeable about the menu items, she checked on us regularly. The food was cooked to perfection, every item. And the pricing was great for the portion sizes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Crispy hash browns,biscuits and sausage gravy,eggs over easy, French toast,and ham were all done to perfection.Friendly staff,and if you Like small place atmosphere and good biscuits, this is your place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Giving a 3 star because the food is in fact good, however the food poisoning that came with it the last 2 times I’ve eaten there not so great..Ate here two weeks ago along with other places that weekend so I wasn’t sure where I had gotten the food poisoning from until now, with it being the only place/thing I have eaten today.