Branson, Missouri (MO) area restaurants & dining information guide including dining in Branson West, Kimberling City, Hollister, and the surrounding Branson, Missouri area.

Branson, Missouri (MO) Area Restaurants & Dining Guide
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Average Rating
4 Stars
4 stars based on 24 reviews

Mel's Hard Luck Diner

2800 W 76 Country Blvd in Branson, MO 65616
Phone: (417) 332-0150
Business Hours:
Sunday-Thursday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Closed Easter Sunday
Category:
Casual Dining
Dining Options:
Carry Out, Dine In
Dress Code:
Casual
Entrée Price Ranges:
$1-5, $11-15, $6-10
Main Cuisine:
Country Cooking, Hamburgers
Meals Served:
Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
Payment Methods:
Cash, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Reservations:
Not Accepted
Branson's original home of the singing servers, the 50's style Mel's Hard Luck Diner in Branson, Missouri serves up an extra helping of live entertainment along with their delicious diner-style dishes. The servers, hosts, cooks, and cashiers at Mel's Hard Luck Diner are accomplished singers, song writers, and musicians who perform in many of the Branson evening shows and two have even appeared on American Idol!

Guests of Mel's Hard Luck Diner will enjoy huge helpings of classic and today's hits including country, pop, blues, gospel, and rock 'n roll in a fun, soda-shop setting. Mel's Hard Luck Diner in Branson offers a full-service menu complete with breakfast, lunch, and dinner selections such as country fried steak, pot roast, shrimp, and a good selection of soups, salads and sandwiches including Chicken Salad, Club Sandwich, Broccoli and Cheese Soup as well as fantastic desserts such as Root Beer Float, Banana Split, shakes, malts, and sundaes.
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Customer Reviews (24)
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Hugh Smith
"Groups Beware"
Rating of 2 stars
Reviewed on April 30, 2013
The food is ok, but it is not a place to go if you are with a group. Very unfriendly and down right rude to groups. I am talking about management & hostess. Will not go back!
Last visited in October of 2012
Troy Shirley
"very good"
Rating of 5 stars
Reviewed on April 20, 2013
ate there last week, service great, food far above average. we will return next trip to Branson
Last visited in April of 2013
Jeff Moran
Quincy, Illinois
"This is a MUST for Us each time we are in Branson"
Rating of 5 stars
Reviewed on March 17, 2013
My friend john and I eat at least 2 or more time every time we are in Branson in May and November. The food is ALWAYS EXCELLANT and we are so happy to see Matt, Jimmy, and Travis, they have become our vacation friends whom we are always glad to see and talk to, Keep up the excellent work as we are loyal customers and always look forward to visiting the diner and our friends.
Last visited in November of 2012
Marilyn B
Alba, Texas
"Very good"
Rating of 5 stars
Reviewed on March 4, 2013
Diner was great .. The singers were excellent. Jon Sager was so wonderful... Saw him last night in the valley. He remembered us from the grill last year... Will be back to Branson and will definitely stop in again
Last visited in May of 2012
Chris Talley
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
"Changed Considerably"
Rating of 2 stars
Reviewed on March 1, 2013
My wife & I have been coming to Branson for over 25 years & usually make a stop at the Hard Luck Cafe because in the past, the food was always great & the prices were right. Last October, however, as we made our usual stop there, we found that things had changed drastically. We ordered the corn chowder, which we have had before, however this time it tasted like someone had put vinegar in it. It was uneatable. Also, the cornbread was extremely dry & tasteless. The pricesd also seemed to have doubled since our last visit the year before. Unfortunately, the Hard Luck is yet another restaurant that we have crossed off our list while visiting Branson.
Last visited in October of 2012
martha blair
Cherryvale, Kansas
"Great Food and Great Music"
Rating of 4.5 stars
Reviewed on October 23, 2012
We had a group of 8 from our class of 58,and really had good service and good food and the music was awesome. Karen Richardson was our waitress and couldnt have been nicer or sing any better that she did for us. Really enjoyed it.
Last visited in October of 2012
Michael Sherrod
Blue Springs, Missouri
"I love the food and would be in every day!!!!!!!"
Rating of 5 stars
Reviewed on July 26, 2012
I am friends with John Sager and before I knew him I was good friends with Susie Sims. She told me how good the food was and then I had to try it for myself. She was right, I have never been to a resteraunt with better quality food and service like at Mel's.
Last visited in May of 2012
Marilyn Oufnac
Rating of 4 stars
Reviewed on September 9, 2011
First of all, best entertainment value in Branson. Can't wait to go back and try that breakfast buffet, with the great singers there. Family had BLT's. Very good sandwich. We planned to make it back, but didn't. We will hit this diner more than once next visit. Make no mistake, the people who serve as your waiters and waitresses at Mel's Hard Luck Diner are singers and professionals first. The wait part is just a job. And yet, they were one of the two best wait staffs we encountered on our ten day trip. We heard Matt K. (who has been on American Idol) singing a beautiful gospel hymn; Jimmy singing Josh Groban better than Groban does, and an angelic gal named Kelly Bryant whose singing was so outstanding, we brought home 2 CD's and listened to them all the way home. Still listening, I might add. Also still listening to John Sager's CD's. We saw him at the Uptown Cafe, but he also plays at the Hard Luck Diner, check their schedules. John is amazing, a trained voice ala Milsaps or Groban, with the blues and soul of Elvis Presley. What talent they have in Branson. It's absolutely amazing! Anf for anyone wanting a good malt while in Branson, we rated the HLD's THE BEST. Positively yummy! Great experience, friendly people.
Last visited in August of 2011
Not A Happy Guest
Rating of 1 stars
Reviewed on September 4, 2011
Did not stay as we asked a manager a question and SHE WAS VERY RUDE....
Last visited in September of 2011
Patty Grabemeyer
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Rating of 4 stars
Reviewed on August 13, 2011
We ate at Mel's Hard Luck Diner last week and were very happy with everything. Jason was our waiter and the two teenage girls in our group were thrilled with such a talented singer/waiter. The food was very good and had a feeling of "diner" quality that you don't find in fast food restaurants. I am gluten intolerant and they were able to prepare a great bun-less burger for me. My strawberry shake was made the old fashioned way and was delicious. We will definitely put this on our list of must dos for future Branson visits.
Last visited in August of 2011
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"Mel's Hard Luck Diner in Branson, MO"

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