Iconic Tampa Restaurant Gives Update About Its Future
Mel’s Hot Dogs has new owners and they spoke about what the future of the restaurant will be. Mel Lohn started up Mel’s in 1973 but decided to sell it. Pam Szabo and five members of her family bought the restaurant. They plan to keep things just the way they are. Szabo told FOX 13, “We’re not going to change a thing.”
They’re planning to open on Sundays starting November 5th. They are also adding ice cream and more kinds of beer to the menu. The Szabo’s purchased the restaurant from Mel for $435,000.
Before the Szabo’s came forward with an offer other offers came in. Mel was offered by restaurant chains, but he didn’t want to sell to them. Mel says, “The first thing I thought was they’re going to do what restaurant chains do, they’re going to start squeezing, bringing in a cheaper hot dog, water down the cokes, and when these people showed up and didn’t want to change a thing, I fell in love.”
The Szabo’s have been coming to Mel’s since they were kids. They would spend the day at Busch Gardens and stop at Mel’s on the way home. Fast forward a few years when they started their family, now they bring their kids to Mel’s. It’s a sweet story to hear, and we love that they’ll be keeping the iconic Tampa restaurant a family-owned business.
Finally, if you love Mel’s Hot Dogs be glad that the new owners don’t plan to change anything. The new owners plan to keep many long-serving employees as well.
Mel’s is located on Busch Boulevard right next to Busch Gardens in Tampa.
Mel's Hot Dogs getting new owners after 50 years https://t.co/oBRQWxNKXA
— FOX 13 Tampa Bay (@FOX13News) October 6, 2023