Mel’s Drive-In, a historic San Francisco diner known for its classic American fare, is preparing to reopen its Lombard Street location at 2165 Lombard Street, Site #102, following a fire that caused extensive damage.
The restaurant is currently closed after a fire broke out in the early morning of Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Fire officials said the blaze started in the kitchen flue and spread into the attic, causing significant fire and water damage. Interior video from the San Francisco Fire Department showed sections of the ceiling that were burned or melted. No injuries were reported, and owners hope to reopen within a few months.
The building’s exterior has been boarded up while crews assess and repair the damage. Windows are covered with plywood, and the entrance is wrapped in yellow caution tape. A sign posted on the door reads, “Closed for now. Repairs underway. We’ll reopen soon! Thanks for all the support.” The Lombard Street restaurant first opened in 1985 and is the longest continuously operating Mel’s Drive-In location.
Mel’s Drive-In was originally founded in 1947 by Mel Weiss and Harold Dobbs at 140 South Van Ness Avenue, pioneering the drive-in concept in California. The original restaurant was later featured in George Lucas’ film “American Graffiti.” Today, the company operates nine locations across California and Tennessee and is run by multiple generations of the Weiss family.
The menu spans breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with items such as free-range eggs with grilled potatoes, avocado toast with poached eggs, buttermilk pancakes, and steak and eggs. Burgers remain a core offering, including the Famous Melburger, patty melts, and plant-based options like the Impossible Burger. The diner also serves sandwiches, dinner plates such as meat loaf and fried chicken, and a range of milkshakes and sundaes. Its return will mark the continuation of a nearly four-decade run at the Marina District site and a broader legacy spanning nearly 80 years.
