Mel's Restaurant & Lounge — Restaurant in Somerset

Mel's is a cool little dive bar in the middle of Somerset. When we first moved here I heard less than favorable things about this establishment. Since then or near then I believe it was bought by a new owner. I have eaten there many times and must say the food is excellent for bar food and beyond. Everything has been cooked just right not burnt. The prices are reasonable in todays age I suppose. They have daily specials for an excellent price and the specials are really quite good. My favorite is the Friday special where they make a mashed potato, corn, and fried chicken bowl. All in all the food and service are great. As for the cons of this business, the soda seems to come out flat and warm every time I order a drink. This is not a deal breaker but some refreshing cold bubbly is sometimes needed to compliment a well cooked meal. The last con is a tough one because we live in America and everyone should be able to make their own way. BUT it is 2023, and as such some expectations to take a business to the next level might be in order. This is a bar and I realize that, but maybe if smokers were limited to certain hours of when people could smoke inside it would help or better ventilation. Just to be clear though it is not super smokey inside or anything but I know many people who are impartial to not breathing cigarette smoke while enjoying a delicious meal that this place is capable of delivering. All in all the owner is a nice guy who seems to care about his business so I would definitely recommend this place for a meal or a fun night out, just be prepared to take your food to go (which they do) if you do not like the...

Mel's Restaurant and Lounge is an absolute gem of a place that I recently had the pleasure of visiting. The pizza is truly exceptional - the crust is perfectly crispy and the toppings are fresh and delicious. But it's not just the food that makes Mel's special - it's the overall vibe of the place.

The crowd at Mel's is fantastic - friendly, welcoming, and always up for a good time. And the bartenders are truly exceptional - they don't just make great drinks, they become fast friends. It's rare to find a bar that feels like home, but that's exactly what Mel's is like.

In a world where so many bars and restaurants feel cold and impersonal, Mel's is a breath of fresh air filled with smoke. It's the kind of place where you can unwind, relax, and enjoy the company of good people and smoke a pack of Belmonts. I can't recommend Mel's Restaurant and Lounge for everyone but - it's truly a one-of-a-kind spot that you won't want to miss. They don't make bars like this anymore, so make sure to check it out...

I just had to say something about the wings here. THEY ARE AMAZING! I travel a lot for work... all over the country... and I proactively search for the best wings almost everywhere I go. I consider myself a chicken wing enthusiast. These are some of the best wings I've ever had. Crispy on the outside. Tender, fall-off-the-bone meat on the inside. The three sauces I tried were fantastic!

Additionally, from what I was told, all of the food here is really good. The new management has put a lot of effort into making this place a great stop for food, drinks, and live music.

All that said, the bartender barely said a word, never smiled, and we were never asked if we wanted another drink or anything. I even had to ask for ranch dressing for my wings after they came out (supposed to be included, according to the menu).

Even with all of the improvements that have been done recently, it's still very much a small town dive bar. But that's part of its appeal, in my...