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Mel's Hard Luck Diner

2800 West Highway 76, Branson, MO 65616
417-332-0150
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Ranked #21 of 275 restaurants in Branson
Price range: INR0 - INR438
Cuisines: American
Good for: Child-friendly, Local cuisine, Cheap Eats
Dining options: Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch Spot, Dinner, Takeout, Buffet, After-hours, Dessert
Restaurant details
Good for: Child-friendly, Local cuisine, Cheap Eats
Dining options: Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch Spot, Dinner, Takeout, Buffet, After-hours, Dessert
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451 reviews from our community

83% Recommend
    245
    130
    50
    18
    8
Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date Rating
SANTA FE
Contributor
18 reviews 18 reviews
5 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2013 NEW

The waiters can really sing...and I mean they sing beautifully. But the food? Mediocre at best. Our friend ordered a bowl of chili, It was barely lukewarm. She asked for it to be reheated. The server stuck it in a microwave and forgot all about us and brought it back (after we reminded her) and it was even colder. My... More

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See 9 more reviews by ELMSantaFe for Branson
kritertracks, Owner at Mel's Hard Luck Diner, responded to this review
16 May 2013

I so wish you had asked for the manager, assistant manager, or owner before leaving. One of us is always there. As you can see by the vast majority of other reviews, our food usually gets good to great ratings. Your experience is not common and I so wish you had given management a chance not only to correct the... More

West Newton
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
3 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 May 2013 NEW

You have to go here, the food is great, and the singing waiters and waitress are awesome, you don't want to miss this one!

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See 7 more reviews by kathystours for Branson
Reston, Virginia
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 May 2013 NEW

Diner has photos of visitors and performers from decades past. Great burgers and ice cream and fried pies.

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See 3 more reviews by Dorene O for Branson
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 May 2013 NEW

This was our first time here and I really enjoyed it. The waiters/waitresses go around the diner singing to the customers. Several times they stopped & sang to individuals at the tables which was very entertaining. The food was delivered fast and it was very good. They have a wide variety of food and deserts. I loved our waitress. She... More

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Vienna, West Virginia
Senior Contributor
22 reviews 22 reviews
10 restaurant reviews
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 May 2013

We could stay there all day listening to the singing servers and enjoying every minute. It just amazes us the talent in this town. The food is a lot and very good. Got to eat there at least once maybe twice.

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See 21 more reviews by Beverly A for Branson
Bolingbrook, Illinois
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
12 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 May 2013

50-s style diner, but with singing waiters and waitresses. Lots of fun, truly talented singers. Food good, but entertainment better. We go every time we're in Branson.

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East Troy, Wisconsin
2 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 May 2013

It is great fun, good food, and talented staff. They sing to you while you eat. All the staff does this. The good is great and the staff very friendly and professional. You will enjoy this one if you like the "50's" era.

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Menasha, Wisconsin, United States
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
7 restaurant reviews
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 May 2013

Loved the atmosphere, the singing waiters, but the food wasn't very good, I ordered the Country Fried Steak, it was greasy and too spicy to even eat, I just left it. I bought a CD fro Sandy Marshall, she is a great singer! She should go on American Idol!

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See 15 more reviews by Sandy G for Branson
Fort Worth, Texas
Top Contributor
94 reviews 94 reviews
88 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 21 cities Reviews in 21 cities
22 helpful votes 22 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 May 2013

Went with friends because of the TripAdvisor reviews. One got a hot dog with chili and fries (they use Nathan's all beef franks), one got a Reuben with fries, one got a patty melt with fries, and I got the chicken fried steak. Everyone liked their food, but I was lukewarm on my chicken fried steak. It's like it was... More

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San Antonio, TX
Top Contributor
73 reviews 73 reviews
24 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 28 cities Reviews in 28 cities
18 helpful votes 18 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 May 2013 via mobile

Food was great, the singing from the waitstaff was awesome! It is definitely worth a visit just to check out the wonderful talent in the restaurant.

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See 14 more reviews by onesmallrat for Branson

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