Mel's Hot Dogs

Reviews

• JI

  Jasmine Inglese

  4 days ago
  1.0
  They overcharge for mediocre food and expect a tip with horrible attitudes! I was born and raised in Chicago. This place was a GEM years ago!! It has gone DOWN HILL so fast!
• AB

  Ashley Bill

  4 days ago
  1.0
  $61 for 4 hot dogs and 2 fries?!? With these prices in this economy, they are OUT OF THEIR MINDS! I told them I had an hour drive home before I could enjoy my meal, so if I ordered the Chili Dog, I would like the chili on the side so I can add it on later. Apparently, it’s $3 to put the CHILI for the CHILI DOG on the side… at this point, they are STEALING! A Chili Dog on their menu is $7. To add cheese is $1.50. They charged me $6 for the dog, $1.50 for cheese, and $3 for chili, per dog! WHAT?! I then asked to add a side of fries, and was automatically charged for large fries. Large fries is $5. To add a medium fry and a drink would be $6… Why wasn’t this offered? They want to charge for every little thing. I have run restaurants for over 17 years so I understand food costs, but it seems like they just want every little penny out of you. Ash, who seemed like the manager, should not be in customer service. She seems like she’s overworked and underpaid, that’s what her attitude says at least.. Mimi at the cash register even seemed to understand the outrageous pricing because when I questioned why it’s 1.50 to add chili ONTOP of a hotdog but $3 to add it on the side, she even agreed it seemed crazy and showed me the 2oz cup it would come in… Though she had a nice attitude when it came to refunding me and then recharging me, it’s clear they are just told to charge the customer for the most expensive items. Why have a Chili Dog on the menu if you’re going to charge me PER TOPPING?! I will be reaching out every day to be sure my refund is correct, because even after tipping, I spent $75 today on 4 Hot Dogs and 2 medium fries with cheese ($61 for the first purchase, $11 for the second purchase because she had to recharge me for the medium fries?, and a $5 cash tip specifically meant for Mimi.) Make it make sense! They refunded me for CHILI ON FRIES ($3.50) and LARGE FRIES ($10).. I ORIGINALLY PAID FOR CHILI CUPS ($6).. They then made me pay AGAIN for CHILI ON FRIES (3.50). Once I was home an hour later, there was NO CHILI anywhere!! I need to be contacted by General Manager or Owner and refunded properly!
• MS

  Marjorie Smith

  4 days ago
  2.0
  I tried liking this place. Me and my son went twice. Had a hot dog and corn dog first trip. Was so so , nothing special. French fries were soggy. Second trip , had the polish sausage. It was absolutely awful and probably 3 inches long. Son had the burger and said it tasted like a frozen patty. A little pricey.
• EI

  Erica Inscore

  Dec 31, 2025
  5.0
  This place went above and beyond. We were at Busch gardens and went to the car to take a break and was debating whether to leave out the park to grab food but it was packed. This place was directly behind the fence line; They hand delivered our food to the fence and saved us so much money and time. The food ( Italian sausage dog and cheese fries were fresh, hot and amazing!!) Thank yall. Staff was great!!
• SP

  S. Perez

  Dec 4, 2025
  5.0
  To me, Mel's Hot Dogs isn't just a restaurant; it's a Tampa time capsule. Walking in feels like stepping into a carefully preserved, slightly sun-bleached postcard from 1973. With the recent ownership change in 2023, I wondered: is this still the real deal, or a legacy on training wheels? The Good (The Legacy): The Dog is The Deal: When you bite into their signature Chicago-style or Mel's Special, you understand the five-decade hype. The Vienna Beef dog has that unmistakable snappy casing and seasoned flavor. The steamed poppy seed bun is soft yet sturdy, and the toppings are fresh and generously applied. Although it sounds like gourmet fusion the reality is that it is a masterclass in a specific, beloved format. They absolutely nail the classics. The "clean, nostalgic" atmosphere description is spot-on. It's a no-frills, family-friendly joint crammed with memorabilia. The vibe is unpretentious and communal. You'll see construction workers, families, and retirees all sharing Formica tables. The staff is famously friendly, a hallmark that, from my visit, the new owners have wisely maintained. Eating here feels like participating in local history; a tangible piece of Tampa where seven the walls tell stories. For many, that emotional equity is worth the prices of alone. The additions of ice cream and a happy hour (free beer/ice cream with a basket) feel like a cautious toe-dip into modernization. It's smart business, broadening appeal without (yet) touching the sacred core menu. This definitely makes Mel's more of a destination than just a lunch spot. When it comes to pricing, we have to keep it real: this is a hot dog, not a steak. You're paying a premium for the institution and the quality ingredients. A combo can feel pricey for what's essentially fast-casual fare. You're funding nostalgia and tradition as much as the meal. While they offer other American classics (burgers, chicken), you'd be a fool to order anything but a hot dog or perhaps a chili cheese dog. That's their raison d'être. The veggie dog is a concession, not a star. My verdict: Mel's Hot Dogs remains a must-visit Tampa institution, but with an asterisk. The fundamental product, the Chicago-style hot dog, is still excellent and satisfyingly authentic. The soul of the place, for now, feels intact. The real test for the new owners is the long game. Can they maintain the precise, uncompromising quality of the core offering year after year? Can they add features without becoming a parody of themselves? Right now, they're passing the audition. The place is still packed, the dogs are still great, and the vibe is still welcoming. Manage your expectations: It's a lively, casual hot dog joint, not a fine-dining relic. The new additions are harmless and might even sweeten the deal for your group. Bottom line? The torch has been passed; the flame is still burning brightly, even if they're now using it to occasionally soft-serve ice cream. Whether you're a nostalgic local or a curious visitor, Mel's earns its reputation. Just order the Chicago style and taste the history 😋😋😋