Mel’s, Walnut Creek
I didn’t go the the UK and Farnborough Airshow in the end. Two days before I was due to leave the number 
going was cut from seven to six and I was sacrificed. So here we are today out and about.
Our aim is to go Grizzly Island on the north side of the bay. We set out at 5.30 and at 6.30 we pulled into Walnut Creek to see if we could find somewhere to eat. Sure enough on North Main we spotted Mel’s which opens at 6 a.m.
It’s your quintessential 50′s type diner, set at the Cypress Street intersection with a small eating area outside sporting a few tables, chairs and umbrellas. There are black and white tiles both inside and out. It is compact with mostly booths and with seats up at the counter. On each table is a jukebox with a selection of old songs form the 50s, 60′s and 70′s. It costs 50c for one song or 3 for $1.
The breakfast menu isn’t large but there was oatmeal. It was only offered in a package called Up ‘N At ‘Em with a choice of oatmeal, granola or cold cereal with toast, juice and coffee or tea, all for $6.59. Tom ordered Mel’s San Francisco Scramble which was $8.29. The coffee was $2.19 – what weird prices!
Mel’s is clean, bright and fresh. The windows are large so it is easy to see what is gong on outside, though at this time of the morning there’s not much to see. Every inch of wall is covered in old photos of various Mel’s drive-ins and diners. The first Mel’s opened in 1947.
Five minutes after ordering, my orange juice and tea arrived. I was impressed with the tea. A glass plate was presented to me on which was a mug, a jug of hot water and a choice of tea bags – black tea, Earl Grey, herb and green tea. There was even some honey. Hey, I can even have two cups.
In another five minutes our food was served. My oatmeal came in a small round bowl on an oval plate. Next to the bowl was the toast. On another glass plate came the sugar and raisins in two plastic pots with lids. I dislike sugar like this as it’s always compacted and difficult to break up so it can be sprinkled on top of the oatmeal. The milk came in a small glass jug. Even though it didn’t look as though there would be enough milk, there was, in fact, plenty.
Of course I have to check out the restroom and, to be truthful, I was disappointed. There was just one unisex room at the back. It was large, clean and functional with nice hot water. Not one single piece of decoration to liven up the place at all though. In fact it can be summed up in one word – boring.
In summary, both Tom and I agreed that the food was good, as was the service, so we will recommend it.
July 14 2008 | Breakfast Log | No Comments »
