| This 1948 fire map shows that Mels drive-in (highlighted area) was surrounded by a used car dealership, service station, welding shop and other businesses with streets that received plenty of traffic. The property included a huge parking lot to accomidate many customers. |
| (c.) 2004-2006, Kip Pullman. |
| Anyone who has seen the 1973 film, American Graffiti remembers the large neon sign buzzing in the background exclaiming, Mels Drive-in. Burger City or Mels was the hub of the gang's activities and the place where the kids in the film converged. At the beginning of Graffiti, the main characters are all introduced one-by-one as each shows up at the local carhop drive-in. Although the story allegedly takes place in Modesto, California, the scenes at the carhop eatery were actually filmed at the very first Mels drive-in, formerly located at 140 South Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco, California. |
| Although Texas was fertile ground for the drive-in restaurant, the state of California is where the concept really took off. Warm climate made eating in ones car convenient, consequently most drive-ins in California first appeared in the southern portion of the state. However, in 1947 when the post-World War II economy was booming, Mel Weiss along with San Francisco lawyer and politician, Harold Dobbs opened the first drive-in restaurant in San Francisco. In a 1991 interview with the Modesto Bee, Mel Weiss recalled that when the carhop eatery first opened they only expected modest success. However, much to their surprise the restaurant was a hit from the start. We did $120,000 the first month, he recalls. The cost of building the super drive-in was around $135,000. If Mr. Weiss recollections are correct, the drive-ins first month's gross almost paid for the cost of building the restaurant. |
| A Tribute to the very first MELS DRIVE-IN 140 South Van Ness Ave. Near Mission St. San Francisco, Calif |
| At the Crossroads of the City |
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| Mels drive-in on S. Van Ness Ave. circa 1953 |