Mel's Drive-In, established in 1947 in San Francisco, has influenced popular culture by inspiring iconic sitcom settings such as 'Happy Days' and 'Alice.' The restaurant features a unique carhop service and an eclectic diner aesthetic, which includes leather booths. It gained tremendous popularity, generating close to $4 million annually within a decade of opening, leading to its expansion as a chain. The fictional diner in 'Happy Days,' called 'Arnold's Drive-In,' mirrored Mel's in style and ambiance, demonstrating the deep connections between the restaurant and television storytelling.
Mel's Drive-In opened in San Francisco, California, in 1947, featuring carhop service and eclectic diner-style interior with leather booths and counter space.
Mel's became so popular that, less than a decade later, it was pulling in close to $4 million per year, prompting owners to turn it into a chain.
Mel's Drive-In is a real California-based restaurant chain that inspired the trademark diners of ABC's 'Happy Days' and CBS's 'Alice', portraying nostalgic, lively settings.
The location featured in 'Happy Days' called 'Arnold's Drive-In' was directly pulled from Mel's, complete with its leather booths and '50s-style decor.
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