A Study of Light and Shadows as the late afternoon sun filters into Mel's Drive-in. Established in 1947, Mel Weiss and Harold Dobbs opened the first drive-in restaurant in San Francisco, Mels drive-in. Classic American diner with a modern twist, serving everything from breakfast to burgers to late night fare, vegetarian dishes, milkshakes, and more! Mels has been in operation since 1947. You've seen us featured in countless movies and TV Shows, most notably 1973's street rod classic film, "American Graffiti.