About
Mel’s Drive-In History First Generation Mel's In 1947, Mel Weiss and Harold Dobbs opened the first drive-in restaurant, Mel's, in San Francisco, pioneering the concept in America due to California's favorable weather for carhop service. The original location on 140 South Van Ness Avenue had space for 110 cars and was featured in the film "American Graffiti." The restaurant quickly gained popularity, covering its startup costs in the first month.