Mel's Diner

I don't know how someone could rate Mel's Diner a 4-star experience, but it's most certainly not.In this quaint little space, whiteboards display specials and kitschy signs occupy every remaining bit of turquoise wall space. The paint matches the tables and chairs, with two brown-colored, old-school restaurant booths located in a second room. A western movie plays on the television in the corner, and there are no carryout shelves, no WiFi, no frills. It's not what you come here for. But you will find lots of camo, long beards, and locals engaged in boisterous chatter with heavy southern accents. It's an authentic southern experience.The Saturday morning breakfast rush was just winding down at 8:45 when I walked in and took the only remaining seat. The other 45 spots were taken as the place was packed! It took 30 minutes to get my food, but I hoped it was worth the wait.The loaded hash browns contained a mixture of ham, peppers, onions, and one of my least favorite things - a melted square of despicable American cheese. The potatoes are closer to soggy than crisp which is a cardinal sin in the hash brown game. But the ham was really good.The sausage patties were obviously store bought and very unimpressive, and the biscuits were either picked up at the local grocer or simply underwhelming. The gravy was thick, but the wonderful texture was utterly flavorless. The entire meal was under $10 without the tip, so you get what you pay for. At least it's affordable.

Husband and I were on a quick trip and LOVED this diner. Best service-friendly and personable, good home cooking breakfast! The prices were the best I have seen in a while! They could increase $ on a lot and we would still go back! Had a bacon egg cheese and tomato sandwich with Mayo and the hash browns were perfectly cooked!

Standard diner fare. Great place for a quick breakfast. Love the menu on the whiteboard on the wall!Is it really a 4-star restaurant? No. Is it 4 stars when compared to your other options for breakfast in Dyersburg? Yes indeed!

Good breakfast. This is where locals used to go before the Cracker Barrels of the world moved in. If you want simple, down-home breakfast, Mel's is the place.

I always look for little hometown places to eat, being from St.Louis just saw lots of cars and stopped on a Saturday morning all local people seemed to be there everyone trying to out talk the other.Bankers,Farmers,Plumers,and just Old loffers. I loved it food was good. Loved the cook short fluffy lady she came out of kitchen giving people heck so funny.

Best diner you can eat at. The waitresses are very nice and friendlyfriendly. Their also very prompt and get your food to you quickly.

First time to eat here (not today, it was actually a little over a month ago, but I didn't get around to writing this until now). It has a small town, comfortable country diner atmosphere, which we like. Funky smell, but that's because cooked cabbage was one of the vegetables of the day which, of course, doesn't smell very good. Meatloaf was the plate special of the day, which is one of my favorite things. Plate lunch says it comes with choice of three vegetables. But it's not really a choice, they only had 3 things to choose from, so it's those 3 or nothing. It was obvious that the few tables that were there were regulars ... and obvious that we weren't. The vibe we got from the waitress was not very welcoming at all. Almost like we were a bother. She was doing some cleaning work so maybe we came in just before she was supposed to get off duty and she was annoyed by that. She didn't bother to hide her annoyance. Her answers to my questions were very short and she didn't "volunteer" any information whatsoever. We got the lunch special that said it included dessert. When she finally stopped cleaning long enough to come back to our table, when we had been finished eating for at least 10 minutes, she took our plates and dropped off our check and started to walk away. I had to ask, "doesn't this come with dessert?" She said, "yes" and just stood there. So ... why didn't she ask, when taking our plates, "are you ready for your dessert?" Or "have you decided what you'd like for dessert?" Or SOMETHING!!! The service alone (or lack thereof) was enough to keep us from going back. And that's too bad, because we normally love going to little local diners.

Food is amazing... staff is personable and it was an overall great experience.... very comfortable

Great little place to get some home-cookin! I had the food bar and was very pleased. I had spaghetti, beans, taters, bread & dessert! And the sweet tea? Just like I really like it. Friendly place, where even the customers chatting from table to table. Will be back!

Mel's Diner is the restaurant where the locals chose as number one for breakfast and lunch. Hours are from 5 a.m. until 2 p.m. The food is delicious and service is fast and efficient. Prices are excellent. The breakfast is much, much better than Cracker Barrel or any of the other local restaurants. There is a lunch buffet or you can order from the menu. They consistently have a great rating with the health department. Come and enjoy the local flavor and hospitality of delicious Southern country cooking. Mel's is located at the corner of Sampson and St. John across from Davison's Monuments and near Fairview Cemetery.