Melrose Diner — Restaurant in Philadelphia

My husband and I ordered take-out as we do quite frequently, and we have never had an issue, until now. We ordered a buffalo chicken wrap and eggs Benedict. I got home and I took a bite of my wrap, made my husband try and it was inedible; drowned in black pepper. I called and asked them to make me another, I was about to leave to pick up my replacement wrap, when my husband asked me to just TOUCH his Holandaise sauce and I was so grossed out, it was freezing. He told he was starving and had to swallow it in whole bites because it was gross. When he was done eating the eggs, he immediately ran to the bathroom to throw up. I then called again and asked for a manager, he wasn't too accommodating... I asked if I could just bring the food back, not get the new wrap and just be reimbursed... And he said "uh, I guess." So whatever- I go there and I politely asked for the cashier to open the check and reimburse me for the food only, not the $6 I paid for 2 sodas. She told me she couldn't find my check, and the manager standing behind asked if we had the check- strange, considering they NEVER give you a reciept when you pay with cash. He then proceeded to tell me if they couldn't find it, I was not going to be able to get my money back. I told him I wasn't leaving without my money, so the cashier tried to find it on the computer. About 10 minutes later, she magically found it, however she told her manager that she wasn't ever taught to open a closed check. He shrugged, and said he didn't have a clue either; to which my response was "you are a manager, correct?" to which he replied, "uh, tonight is my first night...and um I'm actually just sort of filling in for somebody." So I said "I worked at Broad Street diner years ago, can I come do it, please?" The cashier told me yes, he said that they have the same owner, but Broad Street uses Micros and they used Aloha, so I wouldn't know. He then took out his phone, and used his calculator to do the math, to subtract the cost of the food and just have me pay for the sodas (kind of disgraceful, if you ask me- and I am referring to not being compensated fully, despite the fact that he couldn't do basic math, but I digress....) But he couldn't open the register. I had to wait for someone else to check out, I waited patiently (patience is not one of my virtues) and finally got handed $21, from my almost $28 check, which I was satisfied with at that point. I normally would have been quite "edgy" to put it mildly... Luckily, for them, my husband was dying to leave, he was so ill. The "manager" was rude (he actually pulled the check from my husband's hands, and my husband is quite aggressive, but he let it slide-- PROUD MAMA BEAR), the cashier was clueless, however very sweet. I even apologised for being a little loud, and proceeded to tell her that I knew it wasn't her fault, and I even said sorry for even complaining and bringing the food back, because that was out of character for me. Normally, I would just throw it out and never go back, but the fact that my husband got severely sick from it was an issue considering I paid nearly $30 for the food. She told me she was very sorry (which I appreciated) and that they are "under-trained and over-staffed." The employees aren't the issue (not including the take-out guy- dirty, with long, unwashed hair, who was just not cut out to be server, or work with the public at all, until he learns to shower), it's the Upper-management, who neglect to train their staff properly, and whom leave their restaurant in the hands of "managers" (also not properly trained, nor qualified) who cannot successfully manage the floor, or resolve issues with customers, not even in a professional manner, but successfully. I won't be going back, considering my husband is in the ER as we speak. I will speak with a "REAL" manager during the day shift hours, to make them aware of the poor staffing issues they are...

6/15/22...try the farmer's omelet, it's delicious!

6/5/22...ordered a buttercream cake for someone's birthday. We used to have this cake growing up and it's still delicious!

3/23/22….You get to know the wait staff, Becca, Kim, Duane..they are all so nice. I had the ham and cheese omelette, with the best home fries and one of the best toasted cinnamon buns, ever! Thank you, to the staff, that cooked my delicious food...so much appreciated!

10/31/21...I so wanted real diner food and we opted for the Melrose Diner. It was an excellent choice. I had the creamed chipped beef and a toasted cinnamon bun. My husband had a western omelette and I did a take out ham and cheese omelette and turkey club. Everything was delicious! And yes, the takeout orders were hot and packaged nicely. Becky, our server, was so patient and nice as the place was crowded. We also had our table cleaned by this super nice gentleman, sorry, I didn't get his name; but he had on a most sharp hat. A special thank you to him for his kindness! Real, old fashioned, diner food...awesome! Thank you!

The Melrose Diner is truly a classic diner. There is counter service. There are booths and the place even has its own bakery where they still make their buttercream cakes. We recently went for breakfast, sat at the counter and I had to sample a little, or I should say a lot of everything. I opted for a ham and cheese omelet, with home fries, grits and french toast. My kind of breakfast; and it was delicious! The servings are more than generous and the food was freshly made and hot and our waitress, Kristen, was so very nice. In case you get hungry, they are also...

I paid a visit to the famed Melrose Diner at 6 this morning for breakfast. This establishment is an authentic “factory manufactured” diner which was invented in this country in the second half of the 20th century and dotted the landscape from sea to shining sea. Having said this, I think it is worth it just to go there to see it and go inside for a coffee. These shiny metal monstrosities will soon disappear from the American landscape and those of us from that era will surely miss them. If you were a 21st century baby, visit now before it’s too late. The Melrose serves up a very hearty breakfast and even has a make your own omelette on their menu where you can pick your own additions to your 3 egg creation. The omelette I picked was a ham, Swiss, peppers and onions and was very light and fluffy. It was more of a home cooked variety than a standard diner fare creation. The fried potatoes are crispy and not greasy. The place is clean, the waiter a little bland, lacking much personality (maybe it was too early for him ?) and the food is better than most restaurants of this type. Gone are the old fashioned South Philly waitresses who would greet you with a smile and belt out “Whatta ya have honey ?” ( They were still there when I visited in the 1990s. ). Some of that old fashioned Philly charm may be gone but The Melrose Diner is definitely still...