The History of Mel's Drive-In

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The amazing thing about theme parks is that they’re often packed with detail and history that can go completely unnoticed. One example is a place called Mel’s Drive-In at Universal Studios Orlando. Many guests might eat there without giving it a second thought, but like many aspects of Universal Studios, Mel’s Drive-In is not just a random location. It is both a piece of cinematic history as well as a piece of real history.
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Additional Sources
“Mel’s closing marks end of curbside meals”, Berkeley Gazette, Nov 15 1976
“Drive-In Fades Into History”, Petaluma Argus Courier, Nov 18 1976
“...but not if Universal can help it”, Santa Cruz Sentinel, Apr 1 1990
“Burgers & Bobby Socks”, The Sacramento Bee, Nov 14 2003
“Mel’s is back”, The Sacramento Bee, May 11 1989
“Former SF politician Harold Dobbs, 75, dies”, The San Bernardino County Sun, Aug 17 1994
“Foster’s Buys Mel’s Restaurant Chain”, The San Francisco Examiner, Mar 10 1972
“Mel’s”, The San Francisco Examiner, Nov 10 1978
“Last night for Fosters’ food chain”, The San Francisco Examiner, Feb 28 1976
“His Clubs Keep Him A Go Go”, The San Francisco Examiner, Apr 11 1965
“The Racquet”, The San Francisco Examiner, Mar 4 1973
“Mel’s serves feud to go”, The San Francisco Examiner, Sep 4 1988
“Mel’s diner making S.F. comeback”, The San Francisco Examiner, Aug 27 1987
“Red Roof New Idea In Eating”, The San Francisco Examiner, Oct 9 1958
“IRS closes one Fosters cafeteria”, The San Francisco Examiner, Jan 14 1976
Nichols, Chris. “Mel’s Drive-In Is Reviving Its Carhop Service in the Face of COVID-19.” Los Angeles Magazine, 17 Mar. 2020
Phillips, Justin. “Revamped Mel’s Diner Skids into the Future as Mel’s Kitchen with Trendy Menu.” SFChronicle.Com, San Francisco Chronicle, 22 Sept. 2018
USO Mel’s Photo by Teresa Boardman & Theme Park Tourist on Flickr
Thumbnail Art by Kevin Daniel on Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

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15 окт 2024

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Комментарии : 163

@maxproandu 4 года назад

I really like the fact you're choosing subjects that haven't been done to death; it's refreshing. Another outstanding docushort...

@CinnamonGrrlErin1 4 года назад

Gotta love the THX Easter egg in American Grafitti

@SaturnCanuck 4 года назад

Also don't forget to see the Yellow Ford, as a yellow speeder, in Star Wars Ep II !

@Clay3613 4 года назад

Drive-In-Diners should make a huge comeback given our current situation.

@teddyfurstman1997 4 года назад

Agree because Eating Burgers in Cars is so rare.

@Jonathanest90s 3 года назад

@@teddyfurstman1997 I actually love eating in the park.

@UmmYeahOk 2 года назад

@George Lynch Dixon maybe where you live. Where I live Tesla’s aren’t that big of a deal. Even though they legally cannot be sold in my state they are literally everywhere. And they’re not that big of a status symbol anymore since the oldest Model S is over a decade old, so used ones are plentiful. EVs in general aren’t very admired because they are still seen as a low range novelty. One time I had parked our Chevy Volt, which is a plug in hybrid, to mess with my phone, and an officer came by to check on me, because he was worried my “little car ran out of juice.” His words. Trucks and SUVs still reign supreme here, and they remain dominant at all drive ins and thrus. We have numerous Sonic Drive Ins, and during the shut down, many restaurants that had to go parking, ended up becoming unofficial drive ins as people preferred to eat in their car rather than bring it home. It made it possible to socialize with love ones during a time when we weren’t even supposed to have Easter together.

@mikefoster491 2 года назад

@@teddyfurstman1997 q qq111

@mingchenwei1978 Год назад

@@teddyfurstman1997 I mean, sonic is an option. Not really a diner, but it’s still a drive in

@enforcerofdoom6185 4 года назад

Rob you should have more subscribers than this because your videos are great

@MidwaytoMainStreet 4 года назад

Thank you!

@L8RG8R2U 4 года назад

I've always loved drive-thru restaurants like Sonic or A&W. It's really fun hearing more about their history

@cannibalisticrequiem 4 года назад

Sonic's food isn't that great. I stopped eating there because the food started making me sick, and the last time I went, I saw rats running out of the backdoor of the kitchen. 🤢💀

@Clay3613 4 года назад

@@cannibalisticrequiem A&W Canada is way better than our version.

@TheMythey 4 года назад

In a way, American Graffiti walked so Star Wars could run!

@FactMaster-xc8je 2 года назад

It walked pretty fast. had a 750 k Budget, and grossed around 140 million

@PaddletailPhilly 4 года назад

I've only ever eaten at Mel's in Universal Orlando once, but I've always appreciated walking past the restaurant for its architecture, as well as the lovely vintage cars outside. I'm a nerd for that 50's nostalgia XD

@tylersims6396 4 года назад

I always love during Halloween Horror Nights they light the sign to read “Mel’s D i e-In”

@AverytheCubanAmerican 4 года назад

American Graffiti, I met Paul Le Mat and Cindy Williams once at a fifties-themed restaurant in NJ (now closed). They were signing autographs during a weekend and I got them to sign a paper car that we had our fries in. Never got rid of it.

@johnsteelman1410 4 года назад

Hello Avery the Cuban-American ....how are you ? I am John from North Carolina. Is there some way you could send me a photo copy of Cindy Williams autograph ? Please reply, I am a big fan of Cindy Williams....you can also write to me on Facebook.com my name there in John Steelman retired, you see me playing a guitar ( there are other John Steelman on Facebook.com .....Please write......thanks......John Steelman

@SebastianSmith-c5t 3 года назад

I've met Paul a few times and a few autographs. Also met Bo and Candy as well. Paul is really down to Earth.

@kamsavart 4 года назад

Great video. We have two Mel's Drive In restaurants here in Sacramento California. And when I was an auto parts delivery driver one of my routes was in Petaluma California, where most of American Graffiti was shot including the downtown scenes and the drag race strip at the end. In fact, one of the shops I delivered to had a hand in the film. The current owner told me that as they were filming it in town they were approached and asked to do a quick paint job for one of Harrison Ford's 55' black Chevy model cars. I can even point out all the scenes in the movie that were shot at the locations.

@egadgo 4 года назад

I believe those are the Mels The Original locations that Big Poppa Mel opened.

@markybgoode 3 года назад

Iused to live in Sacramento. There are Mel's Original Diners but no Mels Drive-ins in Sacramento. They look similar inside (i.e., both are filled with pics from AG) the difference besides the names is Mels Drive-in is owned by the sons of the original owner, Mel Weis whereas Mels Original Diner is not. Both have great food. I used to go to the one near FAIR OAKS BLVD all the time. Incidentally, I personally know the guy who painted most of the main cars for AG. His name is Don Orlandi. Is that the same guy you know?

@kamsavart 3 года назад

@@markybgoode never met the actual guy, only delivered parts to the shop itself. The lady that worked there has been there since the beginning.

@BigEWR 4 года назад

Just stopped by to tell you all how much I love this restaurant. I've eaten there a couple of times in my life, and every time I do feels like I stepped into a bygone era. I'm grateful that cinema and Universal Studios embraced this place, so there's still an audience for classic diners. Now if only there were others across America, and not just in California and each Universal park.

@markybgoode Год назад

Very comprehensive history of the famous eatery. I appreciate the newspaper clippings that help explain the buy out by Fosters and their demise. I wrote two extensive articles about Mel’s history for my KIPS AMERICAN GRAFFITI BLOG a few years back. I think that whole Fosters West and exactly which part of the Mel’s franchise they owned was unclear to me. You helped clear that up. You did a lot of great research. Good job!!

@edvaira6891 4 года назад

Sonic has pretty much kept the concept of Drive-ins alive and well during the last few decades (even though their food is mediocre)

@Jonathanest90s 3 года назад

But I’m glad we still have them. I honestly love eating food in the car.

@sketchyAnalogies 4 года назад

I just have to compliment how great your scripting and editing is. Its partially removed and factual, but it still evokes emotion from the viewer. You are exceptional at telling stories.

@Gmaninator10 4 года назад

I also love that it becomes Mel's Die-In during horror nights.

@xaviersaavedra7442 4 года назад

In the movie American graffiti you can see my grandpas old sedan as one of the back round cars. He was living in Modesto, and still had his old car back in the sixties when he got is used. It be like seeing a 1998 thunder bird today

@UmmYeahOk 4 года назад

Umm... ...? He had a car he bought in the 60s, managed to get in an iconic film in the 70s, still has this car... ...and it’s like seeing a non existing car today? (Ford ceased production of the Thunderbird in 1997, reviving the brand briefly in 2002) Fun thing about that movie, most of the cars were less than 20yo. (If ford had made the Thunderbird in 1998, it would be 22yo today, not a classic, especially not that body style). But all these 50s cars that were basically worthless, or rather, extremely affordable, in the 60s and 70s, all of a sudden skyrocketed in value after American Graffiti and Happy Days. Imagine owning a 15-20yo domestic and having it appreciate in value. Hope your grandpa keeps that sedan, and wills it to you. 👍

@xaviersaavedra7442 4 года назад

UmmYeahOk Well I was born 99 so my memory is way off. As for my grandfather he was in his early thirty’s back then. He kept that car for financial reasons before he started working for the state in the 80’s once he got the big bucks he got a brand new Toyota and gave the old sedan to my auntie. Of course being the first born she got that summer re-tooling of the old thing, like a father son thing; and spend her day cruising. As for the thunder bird, it has to much of a legacy to be called worthless. I know that’s not what you are implying but I just need to clear it out of the way.

@revelationakagoldeneagle8045 2 года назад

Growing up in our hometown we had "The Vista Burger". It was the place to be, especially on the weekends! Awesome memories of my youth ✌️

@StevenSokulski 4 года назад

A delightful look at an oft-overlooked location. It’s these sort of locations that are deeply steeped in story or history that make theme parks feel genuine to guests. Even if most guests don’t know the background, it’s impacting their experience.

@Headhunter0024 4 года назад

Is this your first video on Universal? You killed it! Looking forward to more Universal history

@GeorgeVreelandHill 7 месяцев назад

Thank you. I love our Mel's in Los Angeles.

@TitoTimTravels 4 года назад

I never heard of the real restaurant, but I knew it was from American Graffiti. In Dallas we had Keller's Drive-In, with carhops, for decades. It was where all the high school kids would get a burger & beer ha ha. 😎

@robpalazzo7799 2 года назад

Very nicely put together. Fact filled and wow effect

@UberDurable 2 года назад

The one on Sunset is my favorite diner!

@lohphat 4 года назад

When I lived in SF before my move to NYC I used to use Tower Car Wash which is next to the old Mels Drive-In site at 140 S Van Ness. It’s now a commercial building.

@sw00natra 4 года назад

I pass Mel's in Santa Monica everyday... well used to, on my way to work. Never knew of the history behind it. I'll have to get a Melburger to go this weekend.

@manbaerpigg 2 года назад

Love my Mel's.....I live in ft myers n we don't have a drive in...but we gotta few diners. It's like going back in time when I eat there

@noemymickey4445 4 года назад

Great video very informative I ate at the Mel’s Dinner Restaurant in Universal Studios really cool to know now the history of it.

@DuchessRococoPuff 4 года назад

What a fun little piece of history- it’s been a while since I’ve been to Universal, but I remember eating at Mel’s!

@jstorm7922 4 года назад

Please more universal content!! Love this channel!

@MidwaytoMainStreet 4 года назад

Thanks! I have a few more Universal topics in the works for this year!

@jstorm7922 4 года назад

Midway to Main Street I’m excited!

@UmmYeahOk 4 года назад

I wish they would reopen that drive in theater near me that closed a year or two ago. Now would be the perfect time. Even if you couldn’t run new releases, you’d be the only movie theater open, and have a large bunch of people desperate to get out and do something.

@theoneandonlykronos8585 4 года назад

That's funny! Always assumed this was themed after Back to the Future. Great video!

@Jacob6853 4 года назад

Always found it funny on Happy days how they had a drive in. Happy Days takes place in Milwaukee where I am from. Drive ins were few there due to incredibly harsh winters. I mean they did exist but very very few and would only be open May -Sept and were typically A&W root beer joints. . Leon's Custard is the closest thing I can think of that still exists today though it is walk up to outdoor counter service. Great Ice cream though...

@pk421x 4 года назад

Alright, you got me Rob. I've always equated Mel's Diner to the old boring sitcom from the 80s but I didn't know there was so much interesting history behind the name and concept. Someone should revive and combine all of your attraction subject into something new and bolder opportunity for the 21st century. How about, a drive-in tiki bar that showcases ventilator babies traveling on gondolas while you wait for your oversized turkey leg and a glass of Beverly. Umm okay that may not be the best idea and a little creepy. 😂

@tylersims6396 4 года назад

Hey now, we all know “Alice” was the better show.

@pk421x 4 года назад

Tyler Sims ok I may have over spoke

@botanicus2921 4 года назад

I’ve been waiting for a video about this for a while but never thought it’d be you to make it. Never the less, it’s great! Hope you continue with more of this Universal related content

@michaeltaylor1603 4 года назад

Now I "HAVE" to go for a nice thick 2 patty juicy burger with cheese (all the trimmings) fries Vanilla malt & a nap afterwards. LOL!

@jacketstime 4 года назад

I love drive ins. There's a great one called Swenson's right down the street from me. Excellent food and great car hop service. Love it!

@UmmYeahOk 4 года назад

LMAO! Last Thursday I rented American Graffiti from my local library and watched it Saturday. And then you upload this? I’ve been to the one at Universal Studios many times that has all the American Graffiti cars at it. I’ve also been to the one in LA off of Sunset Blvd. I think that was the one used in the recent Muppets Movie. Was there in 2001 right before they killed the car culture scene. (It was causing traffic, as that’s where you drove to show off your ride)

@Clay3613 4 года назад

Your library is open?

@iceepenguigo 4 года назад

I love your channel and glad that it only seems to be getting stronger with the new name. The way you can weave a narrative while being very informative is amazing. Can't wait to see what's next!

@brycevo 4 года назад

Mel's is a classic at Universal. I love it

@TikiKrissy 4 года назад

Another well researched and wonderfully presented video. Thanks Rob!

@jasonsteele6920 4 года назад

You're so informative and have such a pleasant voice -- thanks for another great video!

@SaturnCanuck 4 года назад

Thanks Rob, I had no idea of the history -- nor that they are still around. Love to see more like this and love the new format (I do miss the old music though)

@dumpnchase 4 года назад

Nice video Rob. Appreciate the new videos outside of Disney content.

@tessakimberly8138 3 года назад

My mom worked at Mels drive in when she lived in LA in the 90’s

@propdoctor21564 4 месяца назад

What an awesome video full of interesting information... I am a big fan of American Graffiti.

@newageretro 4 года назад

Soooo cool! And I always just thought they brought the diner from American Graffiti to life.

@IndyPatCon 4 года назад

It had been a while since if been to Universal Studios but our family was at the Mel's Drive-In in Orlando a month ago (2nd week of September 2020). It's a shell of what it use to be. The QR code based mobile ordering works well but the theming experience is scaled back due to Covid-19. The food was Meh....but I still enjoyed reminiscing as well as being being there. Rob, we actually watched a large portion of this video while at our seat waiting the the burgers, fries and shakes. Kudos to another well produced and researched presentation Sir. :)

@SunCrushr 4 года назад

Another great video. You're channel keeps getting better.

@ryeinc 4 года назад

And to think I usually pass by it at UOR! Maybe I should make a stop one day.

@Girlyvader 4 года назад

Would you consider playing Minecraft and playing on a Disney server? Love the videos and hearing the history of things that most people don’t give a second thought to! Keep up the amazing work!

@brianmac1 11 месяцев назад

Even 'down under' here in New Zealand, while we don't have a Mels, it's still well known to car guys through Graffiti. That was a cult movie for hot-rodders here in 'the 70s. Thanks for the interesting bit of history.

@spruillcat 4 года назад

Love this one, I like the longer format too!!

@caroline4145 4 года назад

i used to live up the block from a mel’s drive in, in san francisco! never knew of the history of the restaurant

@sku7842 4 года назад

Simply put great video 👍!!!

@Lameashellcosplay 4 года назад

I've never stopped at Mel's but always wanted to when I'm at universal. Guess I'll have to now!

@orenalairlines6101 4 года назад

Love that place

@jeremyhodges6957 4 года назад

Frisch’s Big Boy Mainliner in Fairfax, OH (East of Cincinnati) was big and the best around for car hops! I miss having good food at the car instead of reheated frozen food like Sonic.

@beateinwerfer1 Год назад

We were in SF for a week ans there was also a Mel's. We loved the Sandwiches there...sooo yummy PS we're from Europe/Germany, such food isn't here to find

@carminecostello 4 года назад

Interesting story thanks for the great video!

@shawnmartin95358 4 года назад

we LITERALLY ate at the one in Reno LAST NIGHT. woke up this morning to this..... spooky lol

@paul329 10 месяцев назад

Whatever happened to this beautiful channel. The last upload was over a year ago, we miss you dude!

@gtviper1158 4 года назад

Cool I been to Whisky a Go Go many times great place to see many rock bands

@johndaut2838 2 года назад

In Houston, Texas we had several Princes Drive Inn.

@caiotambara5419 4 года назад

Great channel!!!!

@Jabberstax 2 года назад

Great video 👍

@andysorensen1737 4 года назад

The guy behind Mel’s Drive in was also an investor in Whiskey a-Go-Go. Pretty cool trivia.

@rhuephus 2 года назад

great video !!!

@d_dave7200 4 года назад

I knew nothing about this, but that's really interesting. Thanks. I guess I have another place to visit next time I'm in California. :p

@maples328 3 года назад

Excellent ! 👏 👏

@jfridy 3 года назад

Around here in Ohio, the Drive in Restaurant is usually seasonal, from Spring to Fall, and is dominated by A&W, Sonic, and Swenson's. I admit, the moment my family saw that the A&W was open this year, we stopped in and had a meal of Coney Dogs, cheese curds, and root beer.

@Talkinglam0 3 года назад

I went here a few weeks ago!!!

@peytonmarinelli1864 4 года назад

Have you made a video on why pink is the go to path color in disney parks

@UmmYeahOk 4 года назад

I remember in the late 90s all the Sonic restaurants started adding picnic tables. This seemed wrong to me. You’re supposed to eat in your car! And then they started opening up in mall food courts, and I even saw one open in a former KFC stand alone restaurant. Although now, as a parent, I find myself bringing home Sonic. Although, back when my daughter attended school, there were times when I would stop by for lunch. Fun fact: If you ask, they can leave you the tray. They don’t put them on the windows anymore because I think they’re afraid they’ll damage the paint. That, and people don’t really ever leave their window up two inches.

@jaylinly 3 года назад

Lol wait, the Mel’s on Van Ness is the Original? That’s wild.

@user-zx8de8op9l 6 месяцев назад

Well done

@danialshamshuddin 4 года назад

I've been to the Mel's in Universal Studios Singapore and I thought I had the best burger in my entire life there. It was the best thing to happen to me there after Transformers: The Ride.

@bigred3164 4 года назад

😍Milner's Coupe♥️♥️🚗

@adam_p99 4 года назад

Great burger place too.

@Tryingtohaveityall 4 года назад

Saw American Graffiti on late night cable tv when I was a kid. Loved it. When I saw Mel’s at Universal I knew exactly what it was and thought it was cool - too bad the food kinda sucked though.

@redcoltken 4 года назад

Mels carhop service was briefly resurrected in Los Angeles as well. I am unsure if they are still happening.

@spikewsspe 2 года назад

I grew up in San Bernardino, CA. where McDonalds Drive-in (the original) was the scene of 'going out to eat' on Friday evening was a thing.. Later, I drove my own cars for a meal before going to the "Drive-in Theater", Two movies plus cartoons, etc. I ate for .35 cents. Burger, fries, and a coke. The fifties and sixties were the best time to grow up. Too bad that the kids of today grow up so fast. I saw AG in 1973. I really enjoyed it. Thanks for this journey back in time.

@martes-2 Год назад

American graffiti Francis ford Coppola Cheapest cars and petrol. Great video, keep it up 👍

@frizzvictor1535 3 года назад

Georgia Lucas on the set of American graffiti looks like teen wolf

@TheSeanChannel 4 года назад

TIL: Mel's Drive-in and The Original Mel's are 2 different entities

@merrivideo 4 года назад

I had no idea. Now I have a good reason to go to Universal.

@willsummers1245 2 года назад

It was fun cruising back in the day kids today. Don't know what they're missing?😊Bring them back I got a 55 chevy

@keithleeuwen877 3 года назад

Coolness !

@NoelsterSF 4 года назад

love Mel's

@jamescoe4765 4 месяца назад

Where was the movie shot? At Mels in SF or Petaluma?

@Bucky749 4 года назад

🎶 let’s do the time warp agin 🎵

@UmmYeahOk 4 года назад

It’s just a jump to the left

@djmetcalf3815 3 года назад

Too many of these stories end with the business going under. It’s good to see a happy end to the story.

@iguanacashmere 4 года назад

There's a Mel's by where I live in Hollywood and I'm pretty sure another in Santa Monica. Wonder if We'll get the drive up service...

@UmmYeahOk 4 года назад

I’ve been to the one on Sunset Blvd back in Aug of 2001. Back then, though they had started cracking down on it, people would cruise “the strip” to show off their rides, and we at outside to watch. I don’t think the street scene exists any more because of the crack down. It was causing traffic. The idea of calling it a “drive in” confused me, because I was already used to Sonic “drive in,” which I don’t think had any CA locations yet. I couldn’t see how anyone could order from a car. I also did not understand what a table fee was, but clearly CA was much different than TX so maybe a Drive In meant any type of nostalgic restaurant.

@johndaut2838 2 года назад

There is one Pig Stand on Interstate 10 west of Sealy