In Tim's Big Book of Restaurant Reviews, Mel's Diner in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Has Earned an Over All Rating of 9.6 Out of 10

In Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, there is a little known restaurant by the name of Mel's Diner. Mel's is just a small place but it is packed with one heck of a punch. This diner will blow you away with it's fun atmosphere, good service and absolutely awesome food. Situated in the foot hills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in Eastern Tennessee, it's as close to old fashioned, down home cooking your gonna get, outside of cooking it yourself, and cooking is no fun when your on vacation. If you long for the good ole days of fast cars, fast music, Chubby Checker and Elvis, then Mel's Diner is for you.

Mel's is open 24 hours a day during peak tourist seasons, during late spring, summer and mid-fall. During off-peak seasons their hours vary from closing around 8 or 9 all the way to 12 midnight at times. So when you get the notion for an Elvis Country Club with Ham, Turkey and Bacon at 3:30 in the morning, Mel's will be there and the employees will await you with a smile on their faces.

The place is decorated in a 50's and 60's motif. The walls are absolutely covered with old magazine ads, framed LP records and antique metal signs. They even have a framed Elvis gold record and numerous funny signs, such as; "Eat here so we both don't starve" and "If you don't like the why I run the place, why don't you buy me out!" The outside looks like an old train diner car and is outfitted with bright neon and huge open signs to let you know from the main road if they are open or not. The restaurant only seats about 100, in old style vinyl booths and bar stools at the counter. The place is so popular in the summer, you might just have to wait a little on a table but it is well worth the wait.

The restrooms are decorated the same as the dinning room and are reasonably clean for a building as old as theirs is. There isn't really any dirt or grime around but the building is showing some signs of wear from the years of frequent use. They have an old fashioned jukebox that cranks out 50's and 60' music such as Elvis, Chubby Checker, Fats Domino, Aaron Neville and Jerry Lee Lewis. They even have a counter top with bar stools for that authentic diner feel, that quick in and out meal or just for a cup of coffee.

The service is excellent. Everyone is so friendly and will make an instant impression or lift the spirits of a tired and weary traveler. We only have the chance to visit Mel's once a year or so, yet they always remember us, and make us feel like we are their only customers. It makes us feel good to be remembered and thought of as a special guest, instead of just another customer, like other restaurants. Everyone there keeps a smile on their face which is real contagious. Always gets me to smiling before I leave there.

The food is beyond belief. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and blue plate specials that change daily. With dinners such as Louie Louie's Mesquite Sirloin Tips, Hungry Henry's Hamburger Steak, Brian's Open Faced Roast Beef, Johnny B. Goode Grilled Chicken, Chubby Checker Cheeseburger and the Big Bopper Bacon Burger there is a meal for everyone in your group and something sure to please even the most picky person in your group.

My favorite, and by far the best value for your money, is the banana split. Ringing in at just under $5, this banana split is so huge that even a person of my appetite and love of food can't finish the whole thing. I suggest asking for 2 spoons and sharing it with someone special.

Take a stroll down memory lane, visit Mel's Diner on your next trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. I promise, you won't be disappointed.

In Tim's big book of restaurant reviews, Mel's Diner in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, has earned an over all rating of 9.6 out of 10. Individual ratings follow. Cleanliness: 9.1 - Service: 9.5 - Food Quality: 10.0