Mel's Drive-In
8585 Sunset Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA
La Cienega Boulevard
310-854-7200

The original Mel's Drive-In, in San Francisco, stood in for the gang's hangout in 1973's "American Graffiti." This one, smack in the heart of the Sunset Strip, offers the perfect perch for a lunch of hamburgers and people watching -- in the summer, water is misted over the outside diners and heat lamps keep away the winter chill. Milkshakes are thick and creamy, fries are good and crunchy, and the waitstaff still wears cute little outfits -- serving up a perfect image of America to the tourist-heavy daytime crowd. Local hipsters take over at night, along with groups of giggly teenagers.


Hours: Open 24 hours.