
After her husband is killed in a trucking accident, Alice packs up the car and her son, Tommy, and heads to Hollywood, dreaming of a singing career. Her car breaks down in Phoenix, forcing her to take a job at Mel's Diner, a greasy spoon where gruff owner Mel barks orders to Alice and her fellow waitresses.

Mel announces to the waitresses that he has gambled away the diner.

Mel can get his diner back if he can convince Robert Goulet to perform at a run-down Vegas motel.

The waitresses spend a holiday weekend locked up with Mel in the diner's storeroom.

Jerry Reed gets stuck in Mel's Diner when he drops by with some concert tickets.