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Fast Food Maven ~ Restaurant news, trends and culture by Nancy Luna.

Mel’s Drive-in closing in Seal Beach

October 20th, 2009, 11:25 am · 20 Comments · posted by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer

After being open for nearly two years, Mel’s Drive-In is calling it quits in Seal Beach.

The diner opened at the landmark Parasol building at the Shops at Rossmoor in December 2007.  More than $2 million was spent to renovate the 39-year-old Parasol building to house the 1950s-style diner.

Read the full closure story: News - OCRegister.com.

More closures: O.C. Restaurants Out of Business

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 20 Comments

  • Steve says:

    Shame. I hope we don’t lose the architectural gem of the building… Many might not see the significance of the building, but it is a prime example of mid-century style and culture.

  • Troy says:

    Yes, please save that building! Maybe the new chain of Bob’s Big Boy could move in there?

  • Philly Girl says:

    Went there once. Prices were outrageous. Food was just OK.

  • Beachchic says:

    I’m agree. Let’s get a Bob’s Big Boy in there.

  • Jerseyboy says:

    Shame — great food at a great price. It will be miissed. Try moving to Anaheim Hills.

  • Laurence says:

    Lame faux-fifties diner style mediocrity. Good riddance. A garbage concept with an equally atrocious execution.

  • Oh how sad. I never went to it after it reopened in 2007, but I was so glad that such an iconic and important building had been saved. I really hope a business will move in there to preserve the building!

  • Kevin says:

    The original parasol food that I grew up eating in this restaurant was much better before it became Mel’s Diner. Mel’s overcharged and had horrible food in comparison.

  • Evan says:

    Save the building!

  • Obozo_The_Prez says:

    They should’ve left well enough alone. The Parasol was a reasonable priced decent dining place that just needed a refresh after being in the same location for many years.

    Bye bye Mel’s your overpriced fast food quality garbage won’t be missed!

  • JohnnySokko says:

    This is not a surprise.
    Right from the start the buzz in our area was ‘horrible food & high prices too!’
    The Parasol lasted in the same spot for many decades by catering to the locals.
    My dad and his Bud went there every Sat morning. Kids went there after football games and movies.
    Let’s hope the next tenant gets it.

    I vote for Taco Mesa!

  • Cathie says:

    Bring the Parasol back. The food was good and the price was low.
    We ate once at Mel’s. The food was bad and the place was noisy.

  • Jimbo says:

    I live about ½ mile from Mel’s. Parasol mgmt was unable to secure a 20 yr lease and Mel’s opened after investing $2M in restoring an old termite-ridden building. I was really looking forward to a nice CLEAN place, which the Parasol was not. Right off the bat, Mel’s mgmt started off with outrageous (Disneyland) prices on their menu and so-so food. I knew the place was doomed after seeing that.

    I’d like to see a Bob’s Big Boy in there to counter the Island’s grill across the street. We have enough Mexican food joints close by.

    • Nesmuth says:

      Parasol’s offerings tasted a whole lot better than the new sterile and bland tasting Me’ls offerings. I went to Parasol for over 30 years since I was a little boy. Bring Parasol back!

  • BB says:

    Mel’s closing? No surprise there.
    Mediocre food and bad service.

  • Nesmuth says:

    I miss Parasol. I been going there since I was a little boy. Bring the Parasol name back and I’ll go back.

  • BIG DAWG says:

    i WAS ONLY THERE ONCE (PARSOL) FOOD WAS GREAT WOULD LIKE TO SEE BOB’S BIG BOY GO IN LIKE THE ONE THAT WAS ON LOS AL AND KATTELA

  • bpsqwerty says:

    agreed hopefully someone will buy this and either re-open the Parasol or maybe a Bob’s. though I like the dark horse mentioned above, Taco Mesa. yum!

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