Mel's Cafe

I had the Melt and it was so good! So much flavor!
We also tried the grilled donuts and they were delicious!
Atmosphere is charming and welcoming!
Service was with a smile!

Good diner food and amazing service. The location on Main Street makes parking a little harder to find and less accessible. We got the cheesesteak, 8 wings and a dinner platter.

The dinner platter (with beef) was the best and it even comes with 2 sides for a very reasonable price of $12.

Hobos were walking in but the workers did a good job in standing their ground and not letting them in.

I have been WAITING to review a restaurant like this. A super small, place that doesn't focus on "decor", truly made from scratch food I mean it.

The food is not "fast" but it is worth the wait. When I tell you that when my son ordered the cheeseburger and the chef went to the fridge to get a package of ground beef, seasoned it, formed the patty and cooked it to order I knew we were in for some very good food.

We had eggs, toast and bacon...truly solid but just really good food 9/0

Pork BBQ sandwich....really good 8/10

Red beans and rice.....amazing. 10/10

Cheeseburger..... so seasoned and tasty 9/10

I really want to try the wings and fried chicken next!!!

Fresh home cooked meals & service with a smile. Packed tables inside and people waiting outside to place orders. We also had the steak and cheese sub. This is what's left of the wing dings that were crispy and tasty

I didn't take a photo of my roasted turkey sandwich... but I ate it all! What a great place... the people are very kind. The food is delicious. It's a super casual joint across the street from the Amtrak station. Nothing fancy. Just real people and real food.

My husband got the hamburger melt and fries My chicken dinner was the star of the show! This might be the best fried chicken I've ever had! The mac and cheese was excellent! The fried potatoes with onions and cornbread were like from my mom. The ambiance is like a little eight table diner and very homey with lots of pictures. The service was excellent. You go to the window to place your order and they bring it to your table. After you eat you pay as you're leaving. I will definitely be going back on my visits to see my cousin in North Carolina. And the prices cannot be beat. The menu is current from January 2, 2024. I wouldn't mind trying other things on their menu at all, but all I want is their chicken from now on so I'll have to talk my husband into getting something else so I can taste from his plate too. That chicken was so crispy and delicious and juicy inside. Just excellent!

The corn on the cob is good. During my visit, I experience good customer service; employees are helpful, kind, and accommodating. I feel like a no smoking sign needs to be set outside cause the smell of food indoors is so good--so when a person smokes outside, the smoke smell kind of lingers indoors (if it gets inside) because of the way the interior is. Quite a comical experience asking about Vegan options at the establishment.

Vegan : a strict vegetarian who consumes no food (such as meat, eggs, or dairy products) that comes from animals

also : one who abstains from using animal products (such as leather)

Thanks for the hospitality!

Food is reasonably priced and solid. You get what you expect. Service is always great and comes with a smile.

Mel and Tia are Charlottesville icons. This is so much more than a restaurant -- it feels like I am in their home. Everyone is beyond welcoming and the food is delicious. I have never had a bad or even subpar meal from here (my favorites are the cornbread, grilled donuts, fries, and anything breakfast -- I'm vegetarian, sorry no feedback on proteins).

I just graduated from UVa and had the honor to include Mel's in my thesis. From everyone who I spoke with at this restaurant and all the time I spent getting to know Mel, Tia, and the community - it is truly the heart of Charlottesville. If you are ever in town please do your best to come by and get amazing food and company.

If you want some good comfort food and great service then you can never go wrong with Mel's!