Mellos Coffee Shop — Restaurant in Ottawa

Old style diner looks straight out of the 60's. Unfortunately it appears the last time it was cleaned or repaired was also around that time.

I can forgive the delaminating tables, or crooked slanted bar threatening to dump its contents at any second.

As we sat down, I noticed in the booth next to use the approximately 50 fruit flies swarming the ketchup bottle. Our table did not seem to be attracting any flies so I figured it is an isolated problem and maybe the service just hasn't noticed yet. I was wrong.

We waited 20 min even though it wasn't busy for 2 over cooked eggs, 2 under cooked sausages and french fries (not homefries as advertized) had the added delight of realizing after covering them in ketchup, but our ketchup had fermented to the point of no longer being sweet, but tasted like 50% vinegar. This bite made me feel ill and sadly I had ruined my fries with it. My friend asked for 'fresh ketchup' before dousing his fries and he took the opportunity to point out swarm of flies at the next table. The server responded with "oh that's why we put the little caps on them" referring to the disposable ketchup cups sitting on them like that somehow magically protects them from wild yeast fermentation and the dozens of flies currently going in and out of the bottle. She then proceeded to do NOTHING about the flies... I mean the little caps have it covered.. right?

Lastly, the coffee at Mello's is painfully subpar drip coffee from a 50 year old machine that likely hasn't been cleaned in that time.

Worst breakfast I've had at a restaurant in years. This place just feels like everyone has given up on literally everything.

Pros: It's cheap, but in a 'you get what you pay for' punishing...

Be careful navigating the entrance as you enter Mellos. Not only is there an awkward step and a coat rack and two doors to negotiate, it's also a time machine.

Im surprised cell phones even operate once inside Mellos, since its like you have been transplanted back 25 years. The prices, menu, portions, and decor are all from a bygone era. As i was waiting for my order ... i half expected Matlock to walk through the door. All this to say I found Mellos a refreshing experience.

The food (only ever had breakfast) is good even if it is a meal I could exactly replicate at home. Nothing fancy here = no unnecessary calories which is a good thing.

So why 3 stars. 2 reasons, and I realize I am nitpicking.

#1- I like to have my coffee promptly refilled at breakfast. I found they were quite lazy with the refills on my last visit. Now i will give a place a pass if they are busy, but this wasn't case.

#2 Our family thought the waiter was badass when he took our orders without writing anything down ... but not so badass when some of our orders were missed.

So I hope to return to Mellos and give it the 4 stars I think it deserves. In the meantime, if you are tired of the lavish breakfast options at Denny's or Cora's I recommend you...

I believe in reviewing based on the actual place and what you’re paying for. This place deserves a five star based on the fact that the service is friendly, fast and the food is fresh. I had scrambled eggs, coffee, sausages, toast and fresh home cooked hash browns - so yummy. This cost me $7.50! (The only reason I rated the atmosphere a 3 out of five was because it needs a thorough cleaning / Reno) However, the vibe/atmosphere at 8:30am on Saturday morning was fabulous. Only one seat left in the whole restaurant!! Will come back for sure :) …and to all those negative reviewers - please be kind and don’t rate a small diner business with low prices against a more expensive place. I was welcomed with a good morning and served coffee and breaky with a smile....