The classic “American Graffiti”-style drive-in that was born in San Francisco in 1947 has introduced a hip new concept in the city.
It’s Mel’s Kitchen, a chic space on Van Ness Avenue with a bar serving craft cocktails and a menu of trendy millennial favorites like a Cubano sandwich, chicken and waffles and … yes, avocado toast.
The neon and kitsch are gone from this venue, but Mel’s purists need not worry. The three other locations in San Francisco — Lombard Street, Fourth and Mission and Geary/Inner Richmond — still sport the nostalgic 1950s decor and a full lineup of burgers and fountain delights. But even those menus have taken a trendy turn in recent years with the addition of quinoa-kale salads and goat cheese-turkey sliders.
Over the summer, Mel’s restored a classic diner in Santa Monica, one at the western end of Route 66, keeping the mid-century architecture and nostalgic interior look. Foodwise, this location is a mash-up of 1950s and 2018: Patty melts, chili fries and banana splits share menu space with Nutella French toast, short rib nachos and acai smoothies.
Details: The new Mel’s Kitchen serves from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily at 1050 Van Ness Ave. at Geary Boulevard. www.melsdrive-in.com
