A Quick Review of Mel’s Drive-In at Universal Studios

If you are looking for quick-service meals during your visit to Universal Studios in Universal Orlando, we have got you covered. Here is a review of Mel’s Drive-in so you know whether or not to spend your hard-earned vacation money there.

Dining In Universal Orlando

People don’t necessarily go to theme parks for the food. However, we are always pleasantly surprised by the variety of dining options available on a visit to Universal Orlando.

There are over 100 dining locations in Universal Orlando, including over 20 table service restaurants across the theme parks, hotels, and CityWalk. While some are chains, many are uniquely delightful.

You can also find plenty of quick-service locations and kiosks and stands for fast options to save time throughout the day. With so many options it is important to know which meals you will enjoy the most.

Mel’s Drive-In

Mel’s Drive-In is a spot that appeals to the senses. The American Graffiti-inspired 50s drive-in features golden oldies on the jukebox and shiny vintage cars out front.

The diner offers soda shop offerings like The Mel’s Famous Burger, crispy chicken sandwiches, chili cheese dogs, chicken fingers, California cobb salad, pies, and milkshakes.

You will find charming checkered floors and an actual jukebox inside. My kids were fascinated by it and loved hearing the old hits during the meal.

Location

Mel’s Drive-in is pretty easy to find because it is distinct and stands out. You’ll find it on the corner in Hollywood in Universal Studios at Universal Orlando.

It is relatively close to the park entrance. It is right across from the Lagoon and the Hollywood Character Zone.

Seating

If you are seeking air conditioning, Mel’s is a great place for you. There are a variety of seating options indoors including counters with barstools.

If you prefer, you can also select a vintage-style booth with shiny red seats and a jukebox to flip through. These tend to be the most popular tables.

Don’t worry if the booths are filled. Tables with chairs are available as well.

And, there is also outdoor seating. This can be a little less desirable if you are visiting on a hot day. But, it can be very nice during cooler months or in the evening.

Ordering

Mel’s Drive-in offers mobile ordering for your convenience. And, often this is much quicker, especially during peak mealtimes.

Sometimes Mel’s Drive-in can have a wait just to get inside to order! So, if mobile ordering is available, we encourage you to go that route.

Menu

Mel’s Drive-in has a relatively simple menu. It is a burger joint, and it isn’t trying to be much else than that. You will find burgers, chicken tenders, hot dogs, fries, and onion rings. There are a few salad options as well. Finally, you can (and should) enjoy milkshakes and desserts.

What you WON’T find here is kid’s meals. Everything here is priced for adults, and meals start at $11.49 and can cost upwards of $21.99.

Mel’s Drive-in does NOT offer kids meals.

How is the food?

The food at Mel’s Drive-in is good for what it is. It won’t be the best theme park food you will ever have, nor will it be the worst. All things considered, it is a pretty solid choice, provided you weren’t counting on kid’s meals being an option.

The burgers were large and thick-ish. They weren’t dry like some of the burgers I have tried in Universal. They are served on sesame seed buns and come with a side of fries or onion rings. You can also order them with a shake. They are good burgers, but you won’t find yourself dreaming about them.

When it comes to the sides, I (Kate) preferred the french fries. They were standard straight fries. They were pretty good, but not terribly remarkable or memorable. My husband and son liked the onion rings better than the fries.

The Cobb salad, while a little sad-looking in terms of color was actually pretty good, and overall it was a pleasant surprise. The chicken was freshly prepared and warm and flavorful. The vegetables were crisp. The dressing was rich. It will be a welcome option for anyone craving some vegetables. And, it was pretty good in terms of flavor.

The chicken tenders are standard theme-park tenders. You will find the same ones at many of the quick-service places.

We also had to try the very enticing chocolate milkshakes. Each shake was topped with chocolate syrup, Oreo crumbles, whipped cream, and a cherry!

They were sweet, rich, and pretty tasty overall. I was glad my family of 4 opted to split two of them because we had a hard time finishing them.

We liked the shakes very much. However, I will say that if you are only going to indulge in one dessert in Universal Studios, I would recommend visiting Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour in Diagon Alley instead.

Fun Surprises

Since we had a window booth, we had a nice view of what was happening on the street outside. For example, we noticed Dora was outside, so I was able to take my little girl to meet her while we were waiting for our food to be ready.

We also had a visit from Beetlejuice. He saw us through the window and thought he would come to say hello.

Overall

Overall, Mel’s Drive-In has fun theming, and it is a good atmosphere for family fun. The food is fine, and the climate control is great. We would like to see kid’s meals added to the menu to make it a better choice for families. However, that doesn’t seem likely to happen.

Are there quick-service restaurants in Universal Studios we like better in terms of variety? Yes. Minion Cafe and Three Broomsticks come to mind. But if you want a classic burger and fries, Mel’s will do the trick.

Have you ever tried Mel’s Drive-in at Universal Studios? Is it on your wish list? Let us know, and be sure to pass the story along to your friends and family who are planning Universal Orlando vacations so they know where to eat.