Mel's Diner — Restaurant in Paducah

We recently stopped in at Mel’s on our way back to Nebraska from TN. The food was great, the price was great, and the people were great. We had some great conversations with locals and our kids absolutely loved it. BUT the service was amazing. We were well taken care of, checked on constantly, had been asked things about our kids meals that we’ve never been asked or thought about (like when to bring out chocolate milk). Lastly- when leaving we forgot our diaper bag that contained my wallet on the back of our truck and drove off. We did not know this until about 3hrs later when we went to change our 1yr olds diaper. In a panic I called the bank to report my cards missing. The bank assured me that all my cards had already been reported missing by a “waitress from Mel’s Dinner in KY who found our bag.” We called first thing in the morning with the idea that we would probably have to turn around and drive back to get my wallet. The staff at Mel’s Diner not only were kind enough to take care of our things, but also offered to ship it to us back to NE so that we could continue on our venture home. We are forever grateful for the staff at Mel’s Diner for saving us from the headache that comes with something like losing your wallet. My husband and I were both just in complete shock that good people are still out there and we know if we would of went with the original idea of fast food right off the interstate, we probably wouldn’t of had the same outcome. Thank you so much for your hospitality, your great food, and for taking care...

Well where to begin? They kinda just ignore you when you come in, you stand for a while looking around like, "do I find my own seat like a bar?" Only to be seated at a tiny table that's barely big enough for 3. I can't speak for other servers but ours wasn't very bright nor really had manners. It took her many times to hear what we asked for but she didn't write it down which is just odd. One person in my group ordered a club and instead of telling us they ran out of turkey they served it up like nothing was out of place. Oh I forgot to mention there is no description on the menu of any item except specials. This was my demise as I ordered what sounded too simple and plain, a hot ham and cheese sub. I thought it would just be ham and cheese. Instead I got raw onions, lettuce, warm ham, mozzarella cheese, and pickled peppers. Not to mention the fries tasted like they fried them with everything else in the diner. And the steak sandwich I was told by someone in my group was the equivalent of one of those 2 dollar philly cheese steaks you can get at stores. Oh and the real kicker, we waited 45 minutes for really disappointing food! Now I usually hate writing this much or talking so negatively about a local business but this was just too much not to share. Save your money and go to the Mexican place down the road, or if you're old maybe drink coffee and stare at people all brain dead like somewhere else. -1/10 will never smell in that...

So where to start on this classic diner styled restaurant. As I existed the car I could smell the food being prepared. It was an inviting aroma, that exciting drove me in. Completely full dining area that only encourages me to wait as empty seats normally means bad food. We got a table 4 minutes later. Coffee came quickly, orders taken. So my impression on the staff is everyone friendly, polite and professional. The great smells that invited me was replaced quickly by the smell of musk coming off the wet rags used to clean the table. Must have been reusing last weeks wet rag. A tad bit of a wait for the meal, 52 minutes to arrive. The down side is now I'm 3 cups of coffee in before the meal got here...so not much room or desire to eat. Food presentation simple, hash wash about 5 minutes more cook time to be perfect. The bacon also, needed more cook time. The gravy truly should have never left the can it came in. Frozen sausage patties. It unfortunately didn't live up to the entrance smells...