Mel's Cafe — Restaurant in Charlottesville

My family and I recently visited Mel's Cafe in Charlottesville, VA, eager to sample their renowned made-to-order dishes. The culinary experience was exceptional, with the fried chicken standing out for its delightful crunch and the Mac and Cheese earning praise for its deliciousness.

The main drawback, however, lies in the restaurant's infrastructure. Mel's Cafe is notably small, making parking a challenge, especially during peak hours. The restroom facilities are situated outside and unfortunately left much to be desired in terms of cleanliness, which could be a deterrent for some patrons.

Additionally, the external appearance of the restaurant raises concerns, with old kitchen equipment rusting outdoors. Despite these drawbacks, the outstanding quality of the food makes a compelling case for a return visit. For those planning to dine at Mel's Cafe, it's advisable to use restroom facilities elsewhere, either before or after the meal, and consider visiting during non-peak hours to navigate the tight parking situation more comfortably.

In conclusion, Mel's Cafe offers a mixed experience - a culinary delight marred by challenges in ambiance and facilities. If you prioritize exceptional food and are willing to overlook some infrastructure issues, it's worth a visit, but be mindful of the potential...

"Hole of the holes in a wall" BUT the food especially the liver and that gravy is awesome! It's definitely a community centered place for that community but I travel there monthly and I always stop in to get dinner for the family before I leave that city. I didn't particularly care for the sides I have had. But this is coming from a cook with a line of cooks in my family. I like the mash potatoes though with that gravy. I don't know what they put in that gravy! To look at the place, I would never thought to eat there and I won't ever sit in again. It's just me! But I took a chance on the reviews. And the reviews were accurate except the sides. The owner is nice and this one community guy that's there every even. The owner sounds guarded at 1st but he's cool. So back to the sides for me, no to the cabbage and the greens. The mac was ok! Again I am a cook myself. I also sell sweet potatoe pies so that wasn't good to me at all. I will not get the deserts again at all. The pound cake no for me! The Fried...

A Gem in Charlottesville: Mel's

After attending a show at the Paramount, the host raved about Mel's, highlighting its delicious food and reasonable prices, and the sold-out audience wholeheartedly agreed. This sparked a realization for me: despite hearing countless praises about Mel's over my decade in Charlottesville, I had never dined there. Today, I finally remedied that.

From the moment I stepped in, the counter staff impressed me with their sublime service—kind, quick-witted, and genuinely grateful. We ordered two classics: the BBQ sandwich and the Philly steak with cheese, accompanied by sides of mac and cheese and stuffing with gravy. These dishes were pure comfort on plates, enjoyed in the charming outdoor setting on West Main.

If, like me, you've delayed visiting this quiet, unassuming, and quaint-looking establishment, make time to experience the superlative food and service at Mel's. Highly recommended and strongly encouraged....