GREAT!
DESCRIPTION: We`ve been going here since 1958. Love the chili dog and shake.
DATE: 2003-08-16
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Chili dog and shake.

A 'Dog Gone' Good Hot Dog Palace
DESCRIPTION: Using nothing but Vienna style hot dogs that pop when you bite them, Mel's sells the best hot dogs in the Tampa Bay area. The atmosphere is open and cheery, and the walls are covered with newspaper articles on the store, as well as pictures of people in Mel's Hot Dog t-shirts who have traveled all over the world, including the South Pole! I had two Mel's Specials with a Coke while my friend had a Chili Dog with onions and cheese. We've been eating at Mel's for decades now and the service and quality are just as great as the day they opened. Highly recommended!!!
DATE: 2005-02-14
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Any hot dog, their french fries!

Great dogs!
DESCRIPTION: I finally got around to Mel's after reading billboards and hearing about the little restaurant. The atmosphere makes me think of the fifties - open, friendly, casual, b&w tile, etc. There was probably a jukebox somewhere, but I didn't check. I got the Chicago style and it was awesome! Just like in Chicago, I swear. Nice and spicy. I didn't have to add anything and that Vienna hotdog was very tasty indeed. At the time I went they were looking for help, so they were a bit backed up on the orders, but as everything is made to order, it was worth the wait. They advertised that they had veggie selections. So if you are one of those and are okay eating at a hotdog place, then go for the veggie burger. I'm sure it's no Morning Star Black Bean Burger (YUM) but it can't be bad with the recent advances in meatless techology. Other than that, they've got many different types of hotdogs, they have Bratwurst and Italian Sausage which I'm getting the next time I go, and even angus hamburgers. And beer! It's like a regular ball park right next to the Busch Gardens's parking lot. Definitely recommended.
DATE: 2005-04-27
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Chicago Style