A diner that inspired both a feature film and a television sitcom has received a makeover that pays tribute to its role in pop culture, USA Today reports.

The site of the restaurant that inspired Mel's Diner on the CBS sitcom "Alice" will become a real-life tourist attraction, the story says.

The series, which starred Linda Lavin and Polly Holliday and ran from 1976-85, was based on the Martin Scorsese film "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore." In both the TV show and movie, the action was set in Phoenix's Mel's Diner.

Emmanouil Stivaktakis and his wife bought the place six years ago, but it's only been recently that they embraced the history of the restaurant.The waitresses began dressing like the show, they decorated the walls with clippings about the TV show and they are planning for a memorabilia case.

Stivaktakis has rechristened the place as the "world famous" Mel's Diner, hoping, "Maybe the people will like it more."

http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/tvbizwire/

Very cool!!! I just hope they have a giant picture of Vic Tayback in his "Mel" getup - as a tribute to both the man and the character. :cool: :D

Very cool!!! I just hope they have a giant picture of Vic Tayback in his "Mel" getup - as a tribute to both the man and the character. :cool: :D


Plus put the kitchen the same as it was from 1979-85.

That would be an awesome place to visit. :cool: :D

Oooh! I wanna go. Must plan for that!

Let's just hope their chili is better than Mel's!! :eek: :crazy: :lol:

Really cool information, but the original movie "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" was set in Tuscon, not Phoenix. I wonder why the producers of the show moved the city.

Your guess is as good as mine. :confused:

I've never been inside, so I don't know if it looks anything like Mel's (I doubt it ;) ) but I like this sign Lester's Diner in Bryan OH has: