Surprising Stories from the Set of the Sitcom Alice

The red booths, counter stools, and ever-present coffee pots made Mel’s Diner instantly recognizable. Throughout the late 1970s and early ’80s, it stood alongside places like the Bunkers’ living room and the bar on Cheers as a defining sitcom setting.

Nearly every major storyline flowed through that counter space. Arguments, pep talks, punchlines — all served with chili on the side. The diner wasn’t just a backdrop; it was the engine of the show, grounding nine seasons of workplace comedy in one very busy kitchen.