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J.G. Melon

3.5 (1.8k reviews)
ModerateAmerican, Bars, Salad
Closed • 11:30 am - 4:00 AM (Next day)

J.G. Melon Photos

Business Info

J.G. MELON ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Classy
Good for groups

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David M.

This place has been around for awhile and wasn't really impressed. You definitely can get better burgers in NYC at a better price and not have to deal with the wait. I found the burger to pretty basic and nothing that really stands out. An old school diner vibe with a basic menu with all of your favorites. This is a cash only spot!

A nice burger with cottage fries
Al H.

An old timey New York icon of a bar, gets crossed off my bucket list, finally. I will never beat Bobby Flay, but did try his childhood burger joint. I parked myself at the bar as patrons were leaving midday on a sunny May Day Friday. Lines of folks were outside waiting to get in to this very popular place. A noice burger it is. Served on a bed of raw red onion and sliced pickles. I would have liked it more if it was juicier, tho. The "cottage fries" were crinkle cut like the pickles were, and they thankfully were thin, crisp not salty or greasy. Kitty stopped by to serve up my burger. I am not much of a bar guy, to be honest. Never got to know a Norm. Looked to be filled with locals as the person seated at the bar stool next to me called our bartender by name "Bobby". That bar has seen a lot of NewYorkers over the years. Did not appear to be any tourists. A fun experience for me.

Bacon Cheeseburger & Fries
Rostam Z.

Popped in for a quick dinner and had an overall good experience. The burger was good, but honestly nothing too special, which is why I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5. The service was fantastic and the old-school ambiance is really cool. I'd definitely recommend it if you're in the neighborhood, but I don't think it's worth traveling across the city for.

Cheeseburger
Gordon Y.

Cuisine: 7 Service: 7 Decor: 7 Value: 7 Overall: 7 Established 1972 in the Upper East Side, this old school restaurant is an institution for burger lovers. I haven't been in a while, but made a pitstop recently. Nothing has changed except for the prices. Same decor since my first visit during college. Same down to earth servers doing their thing. And the same pub style burger that made them famous is still a joy. I hope this place never change.

Cheeseburger  and Cottage Fried Potatoes
Stephanie C.

Walked in for a late lunch around 3ish on a Wednesday afternoon. One of my favorite cheeseburgers in NYC area served with dill pickles and raw red onions. Their cottage fried potatoes are one of my best choices to pair with the burger. Their melon decor is something that is just so very quirky and quaint for as long as I've been coming here. I love the "old school" cozy feel and charm like the tin ceilings painted over in watermelon pink, the stained glass window preserved in their decor and the wood bar. I did not get to finish with their delicious sour cream apple pie, however, I highly recommend it.

View of bar area from our table
Jennifer P.

It was a bright, sunny early evening. Possibility rang in the air for basketball games have been played; the Knicks had won three, the Spurs one. Later that night the Knicks were to make history well history since in the 1970s. Yes, children, I'm telling you the story of the night I had the best hamburger I've ever had. And the best cottage fries, which are very rare. In fact this might be the first time I've ever had cottage fries in a restaurant. J G Melon does not disappoint, and the prices are unbelievably reasonable. It is cash only. It has some very unusual things on the menu such as Cornish game hen. It also has a lots of salads and some very delicious sounding desserts, but I did not try any. The inside of the rest of the iconic tavern is classic New York City. I highly recommend a visit. Oh- and great bartender too. Excellent margarita

cheeseburgers and fries
Lauren H.

A relative who lives in NYC recommended this diner/bar-vibe restaurant to us. I loved how they are able to keep prices relatively low! They are also a cash-only establishment. I got the cheeseburger, which was delicious. If I lived closer, I would come back for sure. It can get very busy and it is a compact restaurant. When seats are filled, there is little walking room because the tables are set up to maximize space. That being said, they do have a small restroom available.

Cheeseburger ($13.50.) Decent though small. Alright
Glenn C.

I had passed by this old cash-only relic of a restaurant a handful of times, usually after going into Central Park or something similar. It's always crowded, and I was finally able to get in without waiting much a couple of months ago. They only had bar seating, which I was perfectly fine with. The bartender was my waitress, and she was overwhelmed but friendly, making a whole lot of cocktails. I eventually got an Allagash White from their tap selection for $8, which was tasty as always. For dinner, I ordered a cheeseburger at medium rare and their cottage fries, which are a separate order here. The burger was $13.50 without cheese or $1 more with it, and I got it with cheddar. After a while, it arrived with a good amount of pickles on the side. The burger had a good crisp and was moderately juicy, but it was a bit small for the price and had only a tiny bit of cheese. The fact that it doesn't come with fries or anything else doesn't really help, and if I were really hungry, I probably would have needed to order a second or something else. The cottage fries, or "Cottage Fried Potatoes" as listed on the menu, were good. They were slightly crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, and mostly worth it for $8. The food was overall perfectly fine, but it's hard to justify the price given the size and the fact that the fries aren't included. For instance, you can get a juicier burger that is a good three times larger, with a better patty and higher quality cheese, plus waffle fries, at Wollensky's Grill for only an extra $2.50. Not including that place, there are plenty of other places for a similarly priced or cheaper burger that are just as good, if not better (even the pricey P.J. Clarke's fits this narrative, and that's not that common.) The fact that it's cash-only and a hassle to get into doesn't really help either. If you don't mind paying a bit more, go here for the nostalgia, as it is still tasty.

Cheeseburger & Cottage Fried Potatoes & Cosmopolitan
Gretel R.

Walk-in only neighborhood classic on the Upper East Side. Known for their burgers and old school vibe with the paper menus and cash only service. Often rumored to be one of the best burgers in NYC, but I believe many better options are available. Still worth checking out if you can grab a table!

Bacon burger with fries.
Anne F.

Here's the thing about old New York restaurants - they're too over-hyped. Often the food is just ok, but its reputation is bolstered by the mere fact that it's been around for decades. I'm here to tell you the truth -- the food here is decent, but not mind-blowing. I can get the same quality and taste from a cheaper establishment. Hell, I can satisfy the same cravings at Shake Shack! I came here on a Friday evening and had to wait in an hour line. That's the last hour-line I'll ever stand in. I could have spent that time dining, paying, and heading back home if I chose a place elsewhere. And as I said, the burgers were decent, but not worth the wait. The potato chips were fantastic, but again, it doesn't compete against the many other establishments with great fried potatoes. Was the bustling, tightly-spaced bar vibe charming? Yes. Did I think the green gingham tablecloth was a nice touch? Absolutely. Was the overall experience, from the wait to the food to the ambience, worth standing in an hour line? No. If you want to try this just to say you've tried it, be my guest. But be warned -- you're coming for the name, not the food.

Steven Z.

Just an all round, really good burger. It's got the retro vibes and the interior feels cozy and classic. Would I wait an hour for it? Probably not, but if you can get in without a wait it's a solid meal. One burger left me a bit hungry, but if you supplement with fries or split a second with a friend, it's a good amount of food.

Cheeseburger
Joseph S.

I'd never been to J.G. Melon, it never hit my radar screen - living downtown, I'm not in the neighborhood. Until I recently saw Bobby Flay say he'd been going for decades, and it was his favorite burger in the city. Ironically, 2 weeks after I heard his 'testimonial', I had a doctor's appointment on.......74th St., a few blocks down from J.G. I made plans to have lunch there after the appointment. I ordered the cheeseburger and cottage fries. The burger came with red onions and pickles; however, I like my cheeseburgers with ketchup only - I want to taste the meat. I'll admit to having a few pickles in between bites! The first bite was eye opening! The cheese had blanketed the dark, seared, slightly crisp crust that I rarely find on my hamburgers; I didn't know it was there! It was a perfect combination for the juicy, flavorful and savory interior of the burger! I ordered it medium, and it was cooked perfectly. I could taste the 'quality of the meat' - I'm not sure what cuts they're using, and what the fat content is, but they've mastered the recipe! Next up, the cottage fries. There's a story behind the 'cottage fries' at J.G. - it has something to do with either running low on potatoes...or keeping them in the fryer a little longer, I can't remember which. But when it happened, customers clamored for more. They're crispier and thinner than your typical cottage fries; a few were almost like a thick potato chip. While I found them very tasty, my preference is for a thicker, fluffier fry. I'm glad I saw Bobby's 'Flaylist' - it opened the door to a truly delicious cheeseburger in the city! I'll definitely be back!

Cheeseburger
ED D.

This place has amazing atmosphere and charm. The food is superb and they quickly get you your food. The only problem is the service. I know, I know, they are busy BUT by not having water for 15 min and not asking if you need another drink, or not bringing the check makes the turnover slow and then you have people waiting outside. It's not a rush of people wanting in... it's slow service where you have people sitting.

Bacon cheeseburger and fries

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11 days ago

The burger was okay, just felt rather unimaginative. Good vibes inside though. Also very oddly thick.

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Ask the Community - J.G. Melon

How much is a Bloody Mary?

$10

Where would be the best place to park on a sunday to get to this restaurant?

On a Sunday street parking is free. Plenty of spots on the avenue where you should get parking in front or within walking distance.

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4747 LIC - Skirt steak

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