"Serving Up Good Times and Great Food"

The restaurant business has always been a family affair for the Karakosta family. It started with Jim (Mel) Karakosta, who immigrated to the United States in at age 16 and opened two restaurants in the Chicago area to support his family. A generation later, Chris Karakosta, Jim's son, did all the cooking for the 350-seat banquet hall that was part of the family operation.

At 21, Chris married Lynn and in the late 70's in Chicago they opened the On Stage Restaurant and the Reel People Restaurant, which were built around themes. The first reflected the theater and the second Hollywood. In 1983, Chris moved to Naples, Florida with his wife and three children to open the Wild West restaurant. In the mid 1980's Chris opened McGregor's then sold it and opened the Green Onion.

It was the spring of 1989 when Chris realized how difficult it was to run a steak and seafood restaurant during the off-season. Chris's father had suggested that they do what worked 30 years before in Chicago. "Forget $20 lobsters," he said, "people want to have a good meal under $10 including soup, salad, potatoes, a vegetable, and bread and butter." So Chris sold his shares in the Green Onion and in May of 1989 opened the first Mel's Diner on US 41. Soon after opening, customers started lining up at the door rain or shine. The media soon discovered this best kept secret of homemade food at great prices and then Mel's really took off.

The Mel's Diner menu offers American fare from chili and burgers, to complete meals with meatloaf, turkey, ribs, chicken, country fried steak, grouper, and shrimp to mention a few. Their "Blue Plate Specials" include favorites such as Old Fashioned Pot Roast, Prime Rib, Pork Loin, and Chicken Pot Pie. In addition to the normal desserts of key lime pie, ice cream, etc. Mel's offers a rare treat; it's famous Mile-High Pies of Banana, Chocolate, or Coconut. One can have a slice, or pick up a whole pie to take home or bring as a gift to a friend.

Today there are ten Mel's Diners between New Port Richey and Naples - about one every 10 miles. The company is getting ready to rapidly expand, with locations throughout Florida and eventually beyond.

In recent Best of Southwest Florida Readers Choice Polls, Mel's Diner received the following awards of excellence for the Best All-Around Restaurant, the Best All-Around Diner, the Best Breakfast, the Best Cheeseburger, and Best Chicken. Mel's has also won awards for the Best Restaurant Where the Locals Eat, the Best Meal under $10, and the Best Homemade Food.

Mel's has a very simple philosophy; we welcome you to our restaurant as we would to our home. If there is ever anything we personally can do for you or any suggestion you may have, please feel right at home and let us know.