Columbia Culinary Society’s Restaurant Week shined a spotlight on how Mel’s, a consistent neighborhood favorite, is striving to change its vibe.

At 11:10 this morning, 5 Guys finally opened their doors. A handful of eager things-between-buns enthusiasts were waiting to be let in, while the owner apparently dealt with last minute issues with his landlord. In any event, the place looks, well, fine. It’s spacious and airy, but the decor is pretty minimal and inexpensive. Let’s […]

Last night a tipster reported a lot of police officers milling around outside Mel’s during last night. Apparently there’s such a thing as too Eurotrashed? The following Facebook message was sent to attendees of the party: Hey guys, I just wanted to explain to everyone what happened last night. Mel’s neighbors called in a noise […]

Burger things are happening in your neighborhood! Mel’s Burger Bar now officially takes Flex, and the Space Formerly Known As Song’s Stationery (112th and BWay) is now affixed with a “Five Guys: Coming Soon” sign! It’s all happening!

Baker Blast is upon us–the first football game of the season begins today at 12:30 p.m.!  The Lions take on the Fordham Rams at the Baker Athletics Complex. Mel’s Burger Bar is sponsoring the tailgate area. The first 500 students to attend get a free tee-shirt and Student Rewards Program credit.  Go Lions! Photo via […]

ZagatBuzz is giving away an $100 gift certificate for Mel’s to the first person who guesses the number of lightbulbs in the sign. Just email buzz@zagat.com with “Mel’s Bar and Burger” in the subject line, along with your guess. Start counting!!

Morningside has food niches vacated and sort-of filled every few years. AmCaf, beloved steak sandwich locale in the early aughts, became a fancy tapas bar that no one you know eats at. The fabled West End became mediocre Havana Central, a shadow of its former Kerouac-hosting, drunk-makeout-and-beer-pong-haven self. You could get full and drunk for […]

Mel’s Burger Bar is coming along quite nicely. And more Morningside dining news: Kuti’s, a new takeout store on 116th between Morningside and Manhattan Avenues, just got a good review from the Times. Bwog sampled the shrimp piri-piri and it is delicious, and just $7 for a plate of shrimp and two sides. Most dishes […]

Bwog got the inside scoop on Mel’s today from a former CC student working for the Mel’s Team. It will be open in late July (that’s soon!), they’ll hopefully be accepting Flex, and the food and beer selection will be “extremely high quality” (Dogfish Head and Kobe beef, riiiite?) and reasonably priced. Knees bent for […]

But what is Mel’s Burger Bar? It’s not even on teh Googles! Bwog hopes they have burgers like this. We’ll keep you posted on when Mel will officially open when we get word. Thanks to Mariela Quintana for the bovine-tip.