When nostalgia gets nostalgic, it thinks wistfully about future trend resurgences, longing for postapocalyptic flood pants and when moon colonies rediscover Tang. Remind nostalgia of happier days with today’s Groupon: for $7, you get $14 worth of American fare at Mel’s Classic Diner, located in Pigeon Forge.

Mel’s satisfies scores of hungry diners with its menu of Americana-inspired entrees. The a.m. platters abound, including Carl’s Gut Buster breakfast, which includes two eggs, Virginia baked ham, and your choice of hash browns or grits and a short stack of pancakes or gravy-covered biscuits ($7.99). The subtly spicy Buddy Holly chili cheeseburger recalls the rocker’s modest start as a chili cook-off judge, whose repeatedly scalded tongue influenced nearly all of his songs ($6.99). Vanilla Pepsi ($2.49) pairs well with a homey helping of meatloaf ($8.99) or the jumbo grilled cheese ($4.99). Desserts crowned with wistful wisps of whipped cream, including the ultimate banana split ($5.49), gloriously resurrect the postdinner course that was largely deserted after eggplant éclairs came into vogue.

Reviews

TripAdvisors give Mel's Classic Diner an average of 3.5 owl eyes, and Yahoo! Travelers give it an average of four stars:

• The food was great, our waitress was wonderful, the prices were very good and the atmosphere ROCKED! – pattybluebird, TripAdvisor
• Mel's Diner takes you back to the old Happy Days times. It looks just like it. They have the best hamburgers around. Anonymous, Yahoo! Travel