AH and I had a typical Thursday evening. We met up at one of our residences around 9 PM, tried to figure out what to do or where to go that was not a franchise, couldn’t, and then just got in a car and drove. We drove straight down Balboa Blvd for more than 30 minutes, and then, when we crossed the 101 Freeway, we turned left and drove even straighter and further along.

Ok, there was some kind of plan, but not really. AH hoped that a cafe she had been to once was a) still open and b) where she thought it was. The latter reason is one reason why we couldn’t reason in what direction to drive. The former reason is a great bane here in the city of L.A. Passed 10 PM, places close and where else can you go for a nibble and drink that is not a bar or club?

If we were high schoolers, we might have had to go to Denny’s.

But AH and I were in luck! After we found the Marmalade Cafe and ascertained that it was not open (the valet parker told us), we drove a lee-tle more until we hit Mel’s Drive-In.

Pray tell, what does that signify?

Ok, I have to be honest. I had no idea what a Mel’s Drive-In was till that night. Heck, I only had an inkling that it existed because of a crossword clue that I (obviously) couldn’t figure out. (Waitress at Mel’s Diner. Answer: There’s no quick google answer so I still don’t know.)

But you may remember Mel’s from such movies as:

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner and American Graffiti.

Much like other diner chains (Ruby’s, Johnny Rockets, etc.), Mel’s has the whole 1950-1960s atmosphere. The decor is time-capsule kitsch. The food looked good, but I couldn’t say much as I only had the curly fries and chocolate cake.

What does this entry signify? Sometimes, there isn’t much else to go on but what you got on your plate. :-)