Mel's Hot Dogs

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4136 E Busch Blvd (at At 42nd St, Near Busch Gardens)
Tampa, FL 33617

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(813) 985-8000
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Mel's Hot Dogs - Tampa, FL
Mel's Hot Dogs - Tampa, FL
Mel's Hot Dogs - Tampa, FL
Mel's Hot Dogs - Tampa, FL
Mel's Hot Dogs - Tampa, FL
Mel's Hot Dogs - Tampa, FL
Mel's Hot Dogs - Tampa, FL
Reviews
( 12 )
( 7 )
( 2 )
( 2 )
( 3 )

Best

Watch our Mel's Hot Dogs episode at our website GNAtv dot com.\r Click on episodes or browse our episodes by using a local map of Tampa.\r \r The Chicago hot dog is delicious. ...

Worst

Okay, I visited this Hotdog restaurant only because they pitch it as a must visit location when in Tampa and here is my review. The Hotdogs here are not pedigreed. When an eater...

WARNING DO NOT COME HERE 9/2/2011

PEOPLE I NEVER WRITE REVIEWS BUT FROM MY EXPERIENCE HERE I HAVE TO WARN YOU ALL. 1. THE OWNER HAS SOME SERIOUS MENTAL ISSUES, I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE BEEN MORE DISRESPECTED THEN I HAVE BY THIS OLD MEAN SOB. IF YOU WANT TO GO SOMEWHERE TO EAT, GET TERRIBLE SERVICE, SMALL PORTIONS AND TAKE VERBAL ABUSE FROM AN OLD MAN THEN THIS IS YOUR PLACE. 2. THE FOOD PORTIONS ARE TERRIBLE, THE HOTDOGS LOOK LIKE THE ONES I USED TO GET FROM THE WORK TRUCKS WHEN I WORKED CONSTRUCTION. THESE THINGS ARE TINY AND $$$$. I BOUGHT 3 HOTDOGS AND A CHICKEN SANDWHICH AND IT WAS $33. 3. FOR ALL OF YOU HARD WORKING AMERICANS OUT THERE THAT HAVE TO KEEP YOUR COOL WITH CUSTOMERS, DO NOT GO TO THIS ESTABLISHMENT THIS TERRIBLE PIECE OF SH*T OWNER DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOU, HE JUST WANTS YOUR MONEY AND BASICALLY SPITS IN YOUR FACE. IT IS A MONEY TRAP, THEY ADD 99 CENTS TO 1.50 FOR EACH ADD ON AND HE CHARGES FOR REFILLS. PLEASE DO NOT GO HERE, THIS GUY DESERVES TO BE BANKRUPT & SHUTDOWN! more
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More Hype than Hot Dog 8/15/2009

I have made better hot dogs at home. And whats with that relish? what is that stuff? its not pickles, taste more like bad green peppers. All the hype over this place makes you want to go there but its such a let down once you do. I have a feeling its another one of those good ole boys pushing a buddies business.\r I did not eat the entire hot dog and had to scrape off that horrible relish. I dont think I even ate half of it. They are bag fries that you can buy at winn dixie nothing special there. And the service leave a whole lot to be desired, Very crowded seating areas no way to talk to who you are with because it is so noisey in there.\r I went once. paid a fortune for something we did not eat wont go back and wont take visitors there. Pros: alot of choices Cons: not very good more
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Maybe it was good at one time. 7/7/2009

Okay, I visited this Hotdog restaurant only because they pitch it as a must visit location when in Tampa and here is my review. The Hotdogs here are not pedigreed. When an eatery calls it self Mel’s Hotdogs, it better have some serious and wholesome Hotdogs. If you say you have the best, then it should come up to par with some of the best Hotdogs at least within your state. Hotdogs are served with the usual toppings at $2.75 plus tax. If you want their platter, which is a hotdog, small French fries and a tiny bit of coleslaw, well that will cost you $5.24 plus tax. So here is the gist of it: Small dogs and small portions and pricey with service that is rudimentary and not particularly friendly. Pros: Roomy inside and easy parking in front. Cons: Small portions, pricey and overrated. more
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Mel's Hot Dogs Episode 9/23/2008

Watch our Mel's Hot Dogs episode at our website GNAtv dot com.\r Click on episodes or browse our episodes by using a local map of Tampa.\r \r The Chicago hot dog is delicious. It's not too far from a Yuengling factory which gives tours. I am gonna have to visit both in one day.\r - Chris\r \r Thanks! more
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Highly reccomended for dog-lovers 5/11/2006

Mel's has captured the ""good-times"" spirit of America's celebrated casual culinary creation: the hot dog. A look around reveals decades of heirlooms submitted by hotdog lovers worldwide. My favorite is the picture of the guy standing AT the north pole, ripping open his jacket revealing a ""Mel's hot dogs"" T-shirt. I've been visiting since I was a child. The staff is ALWAYS courteous, friendly, and humorous. The dogs are second to none, and come with anything you'd want to put on them. My wife HATED hot dogs, and was reluctant to visit. On the first trip, she had a hamburger. HOWEVER, she loved the atmosphere so much we returned 3 days later and she finally tried a hotdog. She loved it. Some people say the price is a lot for a hotdog, they're right, but the price is low compared to the overall dining experience you'll have while visiting Mel's. more
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Worth the Trip 11/30/2005

We drive to Mel's once a month from Lakeland. My husband is originally from the Chicago land area (for 50 years) and loves Chicago hot dogs. Well, we both agree that Mel's is by far the closest to a Chicago dog that we can find. We take our granddaughters there - because that is where they want to go! They get all excited when they find out we are driving to Tampa for Mel's. The reason we went there in the first place is their award for a ""clean restaurant"". Wish we had one in the Lakeland area. Pros: very clean, excellent food, friendly people Cons: a little expensive more
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Only For a Chili Fix! 11/8/2005

There was a long line about 10 minutes to get a not so very warm dog. Chili was outstanding. But with a family you might want to visit Publix :) High on the prices for hot dogs for a family. Pros: good chili Cons: Long line, high priced more
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STINKY SERVICE 1/20/2005

THE SERVICE IS HORRIBLE! I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE AT ALL. more
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We love mels 6/13/2004

We love mels. We live here and have gone there for years. The hot dogs are great. It was recently featured as one of the cleanest restarants in Tampa. If you go to Busch Gardens you are almost in the parking lot. Go For IT! Pros: cheap, great service, good dogs more
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Makes Me Homesick 1/3/2004

After living in the Chicago area for 35 years I've eaten a few hot dogs. After trying Mel's ""Chicago Dog"", I can say that although it doesn't quite match up to the best Chicago has to offer (one flaw was way to much celery salt), I think it is about the best that Tampa has to offer. Definitely worth the 80 mile round trip from Lakeland! Pros: Chicago Style, Friendly Staff, Great Buns more
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NO! No! NO! 10/31/2003

When your very name includes the name of the food -- i.e. HOTDOGS -- the least you can expect is A GREAT hotdog. No so with Mel's! Terrible! There is always a line, which leads you to think it's popular and has to be good - No! it just means poor, slow service for LOUSY hotdogs. Old tasting condinments and luke warm dog -- with nothing to rave about all the way around. If this is the best we Tampa folks can expect from a hotdog place-- I'll just grill my own, thanks. Cons: SLOW SERVICE, POOR SERVICE, TERRIBLE FOOD more
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THE PRICE IS NOT RIGHT! 2/4/2003

Mel's has great food but it is expensive considering the size of the portions. I eat there sometimes but not with my family because it is too expensive. more
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Fun 1/29/2003

The nostalgic feel of Mel's just takes you back in time. The all beef hotdogs are great, the prices are nice, and there are more toppings for your weenie than you can think of. more
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Dog with the most 1/13/2003

Mel is a character all on his own. Food is top quality and out in a hurry. more
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Think The BEST, Think Mel's! 1/12/2003

Fantastic dogs! Great fries! This is THE place for Hot Dogs in Tampa. If you think the dogs at Mel's are the same as the ones outside Home Depot, you don't have any taste buds, Bud. 'Nuff said. Enjoy! Pros: Great Food, Easy Parking, Easy To Find Cons: Closes Early (8PM) more
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Mel'sMealsMeanMuch 10/28/2002

This restaurant just keeps on giving its best and getting better. It's not fancy, but their food is ""right on"" and they care about their customers. more
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good doggie 10/28/2002

Good food, good quality. Try the Chicago style, almost as good as the original. more
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great dogs 10/27/2002

one of the highlights of living in tampa is Mels. not only the best hot dogs but without a doubt the best french fries around more
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THE BEST 9/25/2002

Has to be the best hot dogs in town. Would recommend to anyone even my worst enemy!! Love this place, would like to see more than one place though Pros: Great hot dogs, Cheap Cons: One shop in town more
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good dogs 7/31/2002

Mels hot dogs are always fresh and hot. And they have so many ways to get them. more
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Menu for Mel's Hot Dogs


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Editorial

  • The Scene
    The homey restaurant near Busch Gardens serves up dogs of every shape and form, accompanied by a dizzying array of toppings from coleslaw and bacon to cheese and chili....

  • 8/14/2003 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Sun-Thurs 11am-8pm; Fri-Sat 11am-9pm
  • Payments: Cash
  • Neighborhoods: Temple Crest, Northeast
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