Mel's Diner — Restaurant in Lebanon

I have never experienced the level of racism from a restaurant establishment like I did today at Mel’s diner. My Hispanic family of 4 walked in on a Sunday morning and waited to be seated. This was my second time visiting Mel’s dinner as the food itself is very good. We were completely ignored by all staff members for five minutes. After approaching the lady at the cash register and asked her if we could be seated, she stated “pick a spot if you find one. Someone will clean it up for you”. Okay. That’s not a problem. So we proceeded to find a booth that have been vacated. After waiting for a few minutes, no one case over to clean up the table. I approached a waitress and asked her if she would be able to clean the table for us and she stated, “I’m not going over there are cleaning that up for you. I’m on this side. I’m not doing that”. She chuckled and she stated this, publicly humiliating, mean in front of other guests. I walked away and then my husband asked another waitress who also stated the same thing, and that she had a bigger party to attend to. Did not receive offer to help us either. Such was the interaction that a local priest came outside after we left and apologized for the treatment we received. He stated that the owner is “not like this”. I will never step foot in this restaurant again. I hope that all staff receives the bias training. Until then, I caution all non-white patrons when visiting this establishment. My family immediately drove to Heisey’s where we were treated with the...

If this was the only diner in PA, I would still say to run away. The server was friendly and accommodating, however the server behind the counter was yelling conversation to another customer seated at a booth. Would have been overlooked except for the rudeness when attempting the check out. They prefer cash so charge an additional $1 processing fee. Understandable considering how high those fees can be except their machine was down and instead of apologizing for the wait, offering the fee waived or a discount for the inconvenience or even a free refill cup of coffee while waiting, we were told “I don’t know what to tell you. Don’t you have cash?” and general rudeness. After 10 minutes of waiting the machine finally seemed to be active at which point, we were asked where our check was even though we had given it to her and she had already speared it on the check holder. The only commentary was “have you ever worked a job like this? Aren’t you glad you don’t.” Quite honestly, her job is customer service and LIFE is a series of customer service opportunities. She failed miserably and this experience illustrates clearly the kind of person she is and I only hope she has the kind of days that she deserves...

Unremarkable breakfast food makes a place lack that enthusiastic buzz that comes with eating special food in great digs. Just the usual unseasoned, par boiled, then poorly fried slivers of white potato being passed off as "home fries". Zero flavor, salt, pepper, onion, papricka: nothing! Passable coffee. Soft "Whole wheat" bread that was merely waved over a toaster and coated with a mystery margarine that was not butter. . They got over medium eggs right, rescuing them from a certain burnt drowning in dull bland veg oil. Sausage links were quite flavorful, but hey, next to the potatoes eggs and toast, my shoe would have had flavor. This diner is a solid example of how ingredient quality affects both those who cook and those who eat the meal. Confused but personable waitress serving joyless caloric intake to sustain minimal function without understanding her crime of serving food with no love or passion within it.. Checkout was via square or clover at a register by the door. Parking was near door which was 3 steps up. I'm thinking anyone who cares enough about themselves to eat vegan might not find...