Mel's Hot Dogs

PEOPLE I NEVER WRITE REVIEWS BUT FROM MY EXPERIENCE HERE I HAVE TO WARN YOU ALL.

1. THE OWNER HAS SOME SERIOUS MENTAL ISSUES, I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE BEEN MORE DISRESPECTED THEN I HAVE BY THIS OLD MEAN SOB. IF YOU WANT TO GO SOMEWHERE TO

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.

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.

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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!

This place is coveted by old time locals as well as tourists. Its kind of interesting. Kind of diner like. But I guess I think its over rated unless you are really hot dog nut. Good for one trip, go back if you loved it.

This is a popular place for tourists coming out of Busch Gardens. The food is good, but there is only so much you can charge for a hotdog - no matter how much stuff you put on it. Over $10 for a hotdog doesn't quite cut it.

Mels Hot Dogs is a really great family owned hot dog shop. From the minute you pull in the parking lot and see the hot dog car you know that you are gonna get one great dog. The overall style of the hotdogs is chicago style with the vienna beef hotdogs and fresh baked rolls. The variety of toppings they offer is staggering and you are bound to get your hot dog just the way you like.

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.

These hotdogs are really something special. They serve only Vienna Beef hotdogs and you can really tell a diffrence in the taste. The choices they have for toppings on the hot dogs are really unique too. I personally like mine Chicago Style. From the moment you pull up outside and see the hot dog car you know this restaurant doesnt joke around with their hotdogs.

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.

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.

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

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!

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!

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.

Mel's has great food but it is expensive considering the size of the portions. I eat there sometimes but not with my family because it is too expensive.

The nostalgic feel of Mel's just takes you back in time. The all beef hotdogs are great, the prices are nice, and there are more toppings for your weenie than you can think of.

Mel is a character all on his own. Food is top quality and out in a hurry.

Fantastic dogs! Great fries! This is THE place for Hot Dogs in Tampa. If you think the dogs at Mel's are the same as the ones outside Home Depot, you don't have any taste buds, Bud. 'Nuff said. Enjoy!

Good food, good quality. Try the Chicago style, almost as good as the original.

This restaurant just keeps on giving its best and getting better. It's not fancy, but their food is "right on" and they care about their customers.

one of the highlights of living in tampa is Mels. not only the best hot dogs but without a doubt the best french fries around

Has to be the best hot dogs in town. Would recommend to anyone even my worst enemy!! Love this place, would like to see more than one place though

Mels hot dogs are always fresh and hot. And they have so many ways to get them.

Great place for a dog lover! Easy access and handy parking. Food is fast and delicious. Mel adds personallity for the patrons. Pictures and cartoons on the wall are interesting. Dogs are offered most any way one could wish for.

I used to work at Mel's and so I would be one of the harshest critics, no pulling punches. I must say that all 14 months of working there when I was younger, we strived for high quality, accurate orders, hot/cold food and friendly/playful personnel. I recall having many great times at Mel's as an employee and customer. The food is all done well depending on your taste. One of my favorites is one Mel's special basket - grilled sauerkraut, extra onins & brown mustard, plus one other Chicago style, light relish, heavy pickles. Don't miss on the cole slaw. If it's the same recipe as years ago, it's simple and delicious. The more daring should try a chili/slaw dog. Better than you would think!!! Mel's a mensch and a nice person to get to know. Stop by during lunch and strike up a chat if you can!

Best hotdogs period - even if you don't like them in general! Service was excellent and friendly. Great value and great tasting food (fries were very good as well).