Downtown's Mel's Drive-In Shuttered For Cockroach Violations

Long a favorite gathering place for pre- and post-movie confabs, the Mel's Drive-In adjacent to the Metreon was apparently also a favorite gathering place for cockroaches. As SFGate reports, the Health Department shuttered the popular outpost of the '50s diner chain on Monday after finding cockroaches (including baby cockroaches), and holes in the walls that sped their transit. What's more, a number of dishes were found to have temperatures that were either too low or too high, including slices of cheesecake stored in a spinning display case that were 20 degrees warmer than allowed.

The Health Department supervised cleanup and has given Mel's the OK for reopening, and it's now back in business. But in case your out-of-town relatives decide that they absolutely have to have a mediocre burger and shake after hitting the mall, you now have a get-out-of-dining free card.