Mel's Diner

Mel's Diner is a family-run American diner at the corner of Mt. Read Boulevard and Maiden Lane in the Greece area of Rochester, NY. Originally established in 1993 in Henrietta, the restaurant operated at that location for fifteen years before closing in 2008. After a three-year hiatus, it reopened in October 2011 at its current Mt. Read Boulevard address. The diner serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a focus on homemade comfort food at accessible prices, and the entire menu is available for takeout. Catering is also offered for parties of fifteen or more.

Breakfast is served all day and covers a wide range of options, from skillets and omelettes to eggs Benedict in several variations — including Florentine, Reuben, and a Greek-style version. The homemade corned beef hash is a staple on the breakfast side, and the "Famous 2x2" pairs two pancakes or French toast with eggs and choice of meat. Waffle options go beyond the standard Belgian to include cannoli, cookies and cream, and peanut butter chip varieties.

Lunch and dinner bring half-pound burgers on brioche buns, shaved prime rib sandwiches, Greek souvlaki platters, and traditional comfort plates like roast turkey dinner with homemade stuffing and meatloaf. The menu also features Rochester-style trash plates and a selection of seafood including haddock and breaded shrimp. Greek specialties appear throughout, reflecting a Mediterranean thread alongside the classic diner lineup.

Mel's Diner has built a following around its homemade corned beef hash and all-day breakfast service. With roots going back to 1993, the diner carries over three decades of history in the Rochester dining scene. The menu bridges traditional American diner fare with Greek-influenced dishes — souvlaki, Greek omelettes, and feta-topped burgers sit comfortably alongside pancake stacks and hot turkey sandwiches.

The diner sits at 3579 Mt. Read Boulevard at the intersection with Maiden Lane, in the Greece section of Rochester, NY 14616. Mt. Read Boulevard is a busy commercial corridor connecting the northern suburbs to the city, lined with local shops and service businesses. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday, with weekday hours extending into the evening and shorter weekend hours focused on the breakfast crowd. Street-side parking is available along the boulevard.