When some of our favorite television shows weren’t taking place at the main character’s home, high school, or other random set — scenes would often unfold at their favorite eating establishment. Whether the actors are sitting comfortably in their favorite booth, or actually work there, the restaurant setting gives the viewer a feeling of comfort — as if we’re actually sitting with, or being waited on by members of the cast.

So that brings us to the greatest of these fictional eateries. And, although they mostly exist in the alternate reality of television, it begs the question of whether we would frequent them if they were real. Also worth noting, is that if we pretend for a second that these diners did exist, then Yelp — which is unfortunately real — would certainly have something to say about them. Enjoy.

 

Mel’s Diner

TV Show: Alice
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Owner: Mel Sharples

Mel’s Diner was the main set of the TV show Alice (1976-85). The show centered around Alice Hyatt (Linda Lavin), who moves with her son from New Jersey to start a new career in Los Angeles. Her car unexpectedly breaks down in Phoenix, and she’s forced to take a job at Mel’s — setting the diner up as a virtual place of no return.

Besides everyday diner life:

Flo the waitress once crashed her truck through the diner’s storefront. One time a food critic inexplicably arrived at the roadside dive to sample Mel’s famous chili… and dies.

What a Yelp review for Mel’s Diner might look like:

 

Arnold’s/Al’s Drive-In

TV Show: Happy Days
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Owner: Mesuma “Arnold” Takahashi, and then Al Delvecchio

Besides the Cunningham residence or Fonzie’s apartment, Arnold’s and Al’s Drive-in became the most often used set on Happy Days. The diner was originally owned by ‘Arnold’ (Pat Morita), who only retained the moniker because he never bothered to change the sign from the previous owner. After Arnold got married and moved to Japan, the diner was sold to Al Delvecchio who remained until the series’ end.

Besides everyday diner life:

Before he was jumping sharks, Fonzie once jumped his motorcycle over fourteen garbage cans in Arnold’s parking lot. Al’s was once burned down by Fonzie’s wristbanded nephew, Chachi, when he forgot to turn the oven off after his shift. The diner was eventually rebuilt with unfortunate wood paneling and stained glass.

What a Yelp review for Arnold’s/Al’s might look like:

 

The Peach Pit

TV Show: Beverly Hills, 90210
Location: Uh, duh.
Owner: Nat Bussichio

Beverly Hills, 90210 followed the mundane everyday life of a few typical teenagers. That is of course, if your version of ‘typical’ is being an overprivileged and BMW-driving sixteen-year-old. We get a brief sense of normalcy by seeing the series through the eyes of Minnesota transplants, Brandon and Brenda Walsh. The Peach Pit, although only an occasional hangout for our cast, does briefly employ our main protagonist, Brandon.

Besides everyday diner life:

Brenda, disguised as a sassy-mouthed character named Laverne, once filled-in for Brandon at The Pit. Donna, following the teen drama playbook, once overdosed on diet pills and passed out in the Peach Pit’s bathroom. And, let’s not even get started on The Peach Pit After Dark.

What a Yelp review for The Peach Pit might look like:

 

 

Rob’s Place

TV Show: What’s Happening!!
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Owner: Rob

What’s Happening!! follows the lives of Roger, Dwayne and Rerun — three African-American teens living in the Watts section of Los Angeles. Although we hardly ever see them eat anything there, Rob’s Place becomes the hangout of choice for the boys and Roger’s wise-ass little sister, Dee. However, Rob’s does become the mainstage for the comedic stylings of waitress, Shirley Hemphill.

Besides everyday diner life:

The Doobie Brothers showed up there once.

What a Yelp review for Rob’s Place might look like:

 

Monk’s

TV Show: Seinfeld
Location: New York City
Owner: Larry the Cook

Considered by some to be the greatest television sitcom ever — Seinfeld very often started, ended, or did both from the middle booth at Monk’s Cafe in New York City. The favorite coffee shop of Jerry, George, Kramer and Elaine — Monk’s was the ultimate setting for complaining over coffee and the airing of grievances.

Besides everyday diner life:

Actually, it was never anything more than everyday diner life.

What a Yelp review for Monk’s Cafe might look like:

So, there you have it. What are some of your favorite TV eateries? And would you have eaten there if they did exist?