Mel's Drive-In

You’re not at Mel’s Drive-In for a gastronomic revelation—you’re here for a hit of diner nostalgia, to remember how much you like onion rings, and to eat a milkshake with a spoon. The mini-chain with locations all throughout California has all the expected trappings: mildly sticky booths, swivel bar chairs, and club sandwiches stacked so high that you’ll have to unhinge your jaw to take a bite. Revive yourself with eggs and coffee the morning after a blurry Saturday night, or swing by whenever you get the urge to have turkey, stuffing, and gravy in the middle of March. And, true to its name, there’s free parking.