08/16/09

More Hype than Hot Dog

by katoftampa

I have made better hot dogs at home. And whats with that relish? what is that stuff? its not pickles, taste more like bad green peppers. All the hype over this place makes you want to go there but its such a let down once you do. I have a feeling its another one of those good ole boys pushing a buddies business.

I did not eat the entire hot dog and had to scrape off that horrible relish. I dont think I even ate half of it. They are bag fries that you can buy at winn dixie nothing special there. And the service leave a whole lot to be desired, Very crowded seating areas no way to talk to who you are with because it is so noisey in there.

I went once. paid a fortune for something we did not eat wont go back and wont take visitors there.

• Pros: alot of choices
• Cons: not very good

07/07/09

Maybe it was good at one time.

by thatme

Okay, I visited this Hotdog restaurant only because they pitch it as a must visit location when in Tampa and here is my review. The Hotdogs here are not pedigreed. When an eatery calls it self Mel’s Hotdogs, it better have some serious and wholesome Hotdogs. If you say you have the best, then it should come up to par with some of the best Hotdogs at least within your state. Hotdogs are served with the usual toppings at $2.75 plus tax. If you want their platter, which is a hotdog, small French fries and a tiny bit of coleslaw, well that will cost you $5.24 plus tax. So here is the gist of it: Small dogs and small portions and pricey with service that is rudimentary and not particularly friendly.

• Pros: Roomy inside and easy parking in front.
• Cons: Small portions, pricey and overrated.

09/23/08

Mel's Hot Dogs Episode

by gnatv

Watch our Mel's Hot Dogs episode at our website GNAtv dot com.

Click on episodes or browse our episodes by using a local map of Tampa.

The Chicago hot dog is delicious. It's not too far from a Yuengling factory which gives tours. I am gonna have to visit both in one day.

- Chris

Thanks!

05/12/06

Highly reccomended for dog-lovers

by morf0

Mel's has captured the "good-times" spirit of America's celebrated casual culinary creation: the hot dog. A look around reveals decades of heirlooms submitted by hotdog lovers worldwide. My favorite is the picture of the guy standing AT the north pole, ripping open his jacket revealing a "Mel's hot dogs" T-shirt. I've been visiting since I was a child. The staff is ALWAYS courteous, friendly, and humorous. The dogs are second to none, and come with anything you'd want to put on them. My wife HATED hot dogs, and was reluctant to visit. On the first trip, she had a hamburger. HOWEVER, she loved the atmosphere so much we returned 3 days later and she finally tried a hotdog. She loved it. Some people say the price is a lot for a hotdog, they're right, but the price is low compared to the overall dining experience you'll have while visiting Mel's.

12/01/05

Worth the Trip

by patdenny

We drive to Mel's once a month from Lakeland. My husband is originally from the Chicago land area (for 50 years) and loves Chicago hot dogs. Well, we both agree that Mel's is by far the closest to a Chicago dog that we can find. We take our granddaughters there - because that is where they want to go! They get all excited when they find out we are driving to Tampa for Mel's. The reason we went there in the first place is their award for a "clean restaurant". Wish we had one in the Lakeland area.

• Pros: very clean, excellent food, friendly people
• Cons: a little expensive

11/09/05

Only For a Chili Fix!

by tampagal

There was a long line about 10 minutes to get a not so very warm dog.

Chili was outstanding. But with a family you might want to visit Publix :)

High on the prices for hot dogs for a family.

• Pros: good chili
• Cons: Long line, high priced

01/21/05

STINKY SERVICE

by mushroom

THE SERVICE IS HORRIBLE! I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE AT ALL.

06/14/04

We love mels

by j986r

We love mels. We live here and have gone there for years. The hot dogs are great. It was recently featured as one of the cleanest restarants in Tampa. If you go to Busch Gardens you are almost in the parking lot. Go For IT!

• Pros: cheap, great service, good dogs

01/04/04

Makes Me Homesick

by mgantolak

After living in the Chicago area for 35 years I've eaten a few hot dogs. After trying Mel's "Chicago Dog", I can say that although it doesn't quite match up to the best Chicago has to offer (one flaw was way to much celery salt), I think it is about the best that Tampa has to offer. Definitely worth the 80 mile round trip from Lakeland!

• Pros: Chicago Style, Friendly Staff, Great Buns

10/31/03

NO! No! NO!

by sandi

When your very name includes the name of the food -- i.e. HOTDOGS -- the least you can expect is A GREAT hotdog. No so with Mel's! Terrible! There is always a line, which leads you to think it's popular and has to be good - No! it just means poor, slow service for LOUSY hotdogs. Old tasting condinments and luke warm dog -- with nothing to rave about all the way around.

If this is the best we Tampa folks can expect from a hotdog place-- I'll just grill my own, thanks.

• Cons: SLOW SERVICE, POOR SERVICE, TERRIBLE FOOD