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. read more

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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. read more

J.G. Melon - A nice burger with cottage fries - American Near Me - New York, New York

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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. read more

J.G. Melon - Cheeseburger - American Near Me - New York, New York

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. read more

J.G. Melon - Cheeseburger - American Near Me - New York, New York

Rude wait staff. No hello. We were greeted with what do you want? Said we need two minutes and he didn't come back until we asked 2 other waiters if they could let him know we were ready to order. He came back and told us he was busy with a large table in a very abrupt unpleasant tone. Burgers were very good. No one came to refill our drinks. We left a 20% tip only because I would've felt bad leaving a small tip. Not at all what the place used to be! Recommend going elsewhere for a burger!! read more

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. read more

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This one lives up to the hype. It is one of those classic New York spots that feels completely untouched in the best way. Cozy booths, a packed bar, and that kind of energy where you know people have been coming here forever. The cheeseburger is exactly what you want it to be. My bestie had the turkey cheese burger. No gimmicks, no overthinking, just perfectly cooked, juicy, and served the way it should be. And those cottage fries. . . Wow! But honestly, what struck me just as much was the service. Warm, fast, and genuinely welcoming even when the place is buzzing. Bobby is super friendly and seems to know all the regulars by name. He took care of us as if we were regulars, though. It's cash only, it's crowded, and you might wait a bit . . . but it's absolutely worth it. Some places are trendy. This place is permanent. read more

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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. read more

J.G. Melon - Bacon burger with fries. - American Near Me - New York, New York

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. read more

J.G. Melon - American Near Me - New York, New York

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! read more

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JG Melon -- A Classic Worth Knowing, Not Chasing When the founder of Shake Shack calls a burger his favorite, it's hard to ignore. That alone made JG Melon impossible to leave off our burger tour list. The list itself is a mix of instinct, research, and whatever the algorithm decides to throw at me--but it's a list I trust. JG Melon felt like a must. That Sunday morning, we were heading to the Metropolitan Museum of Art anyway, so we arrived about 30 minutes before opening. Even then, the line was already impressively long. Once the doors open, don't expect a warm "Welcome." What you'll hear instead is: "Cash only." Bring cash. Seriously. Within minutes, the place fills up completely. Every seat is taken. It took us about 20 minutes just to place our order--partly because someone had to brave the famously cramped bathroom. We kept it classic: a double cheeseburger, fries, and to gently warm our Sunday stomachs, the soup of the day--broccoli cream. The soup was good. Not surprising, but solid. The burger, as expected, was very good. Well-executed. Comforting. Classic. But if you ask whether it's a burger that lingers in your memory long after--my honest answer would be no. At least not for me. It's tasty. It's satisfying. But it's not the best burger. And even if I find myself back at the Met someday, craving another look at Van Gogh's self-portrait, I don't think I'd detour here again. Ten blocks is still ten blocks--and New York has no shortage of good burgers closer by. A New York institution worth experiencing once. Just not one I feel the need to chase. read more

Pretty much exactly what I expected!! As others have noted, it's cash only so make sure to bring cash. Burger was decent but I do wish it came with more bacon. Fries were just okay. Given the location, not sure I'm rushing back since there are other burger spots I prefer, but I was glad to have tried it! read more

J.G. Melon - Bacon cheeseburger and fries - American Near Me - New York, New York

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For the reputation, wait and logistics of the restaurant, it was unfortunately very underwhelming. I went late on a Friday night after 11pm and there was no wait though was still pretty crowded inside. When I passed the restaurant earlier around 7pm in past, the line would be down the block! It's cash only with no exceptions - I really don't understand the point of establishments, especially more known places, keeping that policy in this day and age and why they wouldn't accommodate credit cards. There is a bar seating then a dining area in the back - the tables are quite close together and can get really cramped and loud. I get old school diners vibes with ?handwritten menu on the wall. I went with the classic cheeseburger - it was fairly dry and thin, I didn't find it that juicy at all. The cottage fries were also very dry and didn't seem to have any salt at all, also were quite thin and were like eating potato chips. Overall not terrible but more convenient and just as good, if not better options available. read more

J.G. Melon - American Near Me - New York, New York

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Is it worth you wait? Yes, if you haven't experienced this iconic spot. Pass if you're expecting a delicious top tier burger Wait time = 25mins-1hr+ Food 3/5 Cheese burger was nice and charred in some areas but inconsistent inside. The biggest issue was the dryness overall A bit embarrassing that the fries were the highlight of the entire meal - uniquely cut into potato chips Chili wasn't too bad, nice and chunky Service 4/5 Decent NY attitude throughout the experience. No issues despite the amount of tables and foot traffic. Ambience 3/5 definitely an old school vibe inside and out The bathroom was tiny and pretty dirty imo read more

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J. G. Melon is an iconic Upper East Side burger institution. It also most definitely has the nostalgia factor. Located on Third Ave, there sometimes can be long waits. Even when there is a wait, it's worth while. For me, dining at J. G. Melon holds many memories. Since I was a teenager have eaten many burgers here with my family over the years. Eating here, feels like coming home again The decor is old school and, holds onto its charm. Service is friendly and welcoming. Don't forget it's cash only. The cheese burger, turkey burger and their cottage fries are delicious. The quality of food has not changed over the years. If you are in the mood for desert, my favorite is the apple sour cream walnut pie. A sweet way to end a true New York burger experience. read more

J.G. Melon - Perfectly crisp and delicious cottage fries, served with great cheeseburger. - American Near Me - New York, New York

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So excited to finally try the infamous JG Melon burger! Lived up to the hype and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the cottage fries read more

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A classic institution with surprisingly decent burgers. I always make sure to stop by here when I'm in the UES

Burger was great and we loved our waiter. The burger also comes with some extra lettuce on the side, which I really liked. Would recommend getting their seasonal fruit pie with a side of cream. Also recommend going late in the night so you can get a booth inside. I recommend! read more

J.G. Melon - Hamburger - American Near Me - New York, New York

About an hour wait for some really tasty old school burgers and an ambiance of being surrounded by melons, more likely watermelons than any other kind of melon.... Yes! This is an all cash burger joint and it has all of the basics and then some. It's super casual and the waiters are known to be rude but we lucked out with a nice one when we went. There's a bar at the front left and seating on the opposite side as well as at the back. Tables and chairs are a bit tricky yo navigate through but eventually you'll be led to the one that's yours for the 45 minutes or so. Happy eats! read more

J.G. Melon - American Near Me - New York, New York

Bucket list iconic spot in NY. This is a must try burger. The burger is the classic loosely formed patty to make it tender and falls apart with each bite. It's a simple burger, generous patty, cooked to preference, cheese, onion, tomato, and bun. That's it. It's a decadent treat. Fries were thin round slices and fried to crispy perfection. The chili for a delight as well. Tip: Get there early, it's very crowded. The rare patty is about equal to med rare. read more

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Cash only but old school vibe can't be mad at it. Prices really reasonable, homey ambiance albeit a bit cramped. Melon decor is on point!! read more

J.G. Melon - American Near Me - New York, New York

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I go by JG Melon a lot, and it was finally time to walk inside. It is a cash only establishment so make sure you have money on hand before you go in. Started with the Chili just a very hearty traditional American cup of chili. The diced onions on top add so much needed crunch and freshness to it so would highly recommend trying that. I don't think I could do more than a cup, but that's up to you. In a world of smash burgers it's a pleasure to see JG Melon to a normal burger and do it well. I wish the bacon was a little more crispy, but it's topped with your favorite American cheese, and the meat is cooked to a little over a medium, which I wish was a little more rare. It really is just a great burger joint and if you're ever in the upper side and you're craving a hearty burger make your way to JG Melon, there's usually a way and it might be worth it. read more

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Arrived at 6 pm on a Friday and got a table for two right away. Had the burger and fries and wish the burger had a sauce but it was good although not the best burger i've ever had read more

J.G. Melon - American Near Me - New York, New York

On a Wednesday happy hour, my partner took me and his daughter to JG Melon, the famous Upper East Side burger joint tucked on the corner of 3rd and 74th. Even on a weekday, the place was crowded we put our names down and waited about 45 minutes for a table. To their credit, the host was polite, even remembered my boyfriend's name, and eventually got us seated. The space itself is tiny, very old New York, with a full bar and curbside seating. The décor hasn't changed much since JG first opened in 1972, which is part of its charm but also shows its age and I like that! I ordered the cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, raw onion, and fries. The burger was... fine. The bun was oddly oversized compared to the patty, making it clumsy to eat, and overall it landed at about a 6.5/10 for me. We added a side of pickles for the table, and I had a dirty martini (extra olives), which was honestly the highlight of my meal. Unfortunately, the service didn't match the hype. Our waitress had an attitude that made it seem like she'd rather be anywhere else, and when we mentioned our missing fries, the staff seemed more annoyed than apologetic. The menu is refreshingly simple so you know what you're there for but it does come with a side of attitude. JG Melon is cash-only, so don't forget to bring bills. On the way out, the host at least sent us off with a goodbye, which was a nice touch. Final thoughts: The burger was decent but nothing groundbreaking in 2025, especially with NYC's burger scene having leveled up in the past two decades. Worth a try if you're curious about an old-school staple, but for me, it didn't live up to the legend. read more

J.G. Melon - The coolest pic of the night - American Near Me - New York, New York

Changed from one to three stars. Manager got us seated way quick but food was still to come out. Food was good pub/diner food. Seated. Been 24 mins so far. One table finished their meal, two tables seated after us are eating. Well, my ice tea is good...sorry. No pics because we haven't gotten. Our food yet read more

J.G. Melon - No food. Coming up on half an hour... - American Near Me - New York, New York

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Not worth the hype. Walked in around 6:30 on a Monday and got seated right away - had tried to go before on a Tuesday around 7:30 but it was over an hour wait and you have to wait around since they don't take down phone numbers. If I had to wait 1+ hr I would be pretty disappointed in the food. Very average burger and sandwich. Also, the waiter at the table next to us was so rude to the two older ladies he was serving - very odd vibes. If you decide to go, the bar is cozy and it's cash only. Maybe the drinks are better than the food. read more

I was kind of disappointed by this spot since it's so hyped as one of the best burger spots in NYC. We went late (happy it's open late) so maybe the employees weren't putting love into it anymore but I wouldn't go back it was just dry and flavorless. read more

J.G. Melon - American Near Me - New York, New York

Great burger, reasonable pricing. No Guinness (or any dark beer) and they had women's baseball on during a Knicks playoff game. Kind of crazy if you ask me. read more

I have been there few times, but this evening will be the last, what a bad experience, the niçoise salad was barely edible and the burger was really so so. rushing service to turn the table, no sense of hospitality ever. I really don't understand why this place is so packed... read more

Came at 11:45am on a Sunday and got seated right away. A good standard burger but underwhelming- do not get the huge hype of this place. read more

J.G. Melon - Outside - American Near Me - New York, New York

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Last night I was in the city for an event in the upper east side. Afterwards I went to a place called J.G. Melon on 74th and Third Ave. It's an old-school bar and grill that's been around since 1972. They have fantastic burgers, fiery Bloody Marys, and an amazing pecan pie. Definitely recommend the place. For me, it really brought back fond memories of a bar & grill in the Ohio town were I grew up. Places like that back in the day were everywhere, but sadly you don't see too many of these kinds of places anymore, so it was quite a treat for me to be able to go here. They do not take reservations and the wait times last night at 8 p.m. were about forty minutes. NB: J.G. Melon's is CASH ONLY and I did not see an ATM in the place. For a New York restaurant, though, the prices are quite reasonable and the food and service are great. read more

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Once again JG Melon came through for a late night snack at 11pm. Definitely enjoyed my Cheeseburger. Tasted delicious especially with the extra Cheese. The crispy cottage fries were slammin as well. Service was great as usual. Attentive. Had some cool music in the background. Not too loud. Rollin stones. Besides that not too much noise other than patrons conversing. Great spot to have one of NYCs best burgers! So make sure you visit and enjoy your meal! Have a great one! read more

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Just came back from a lovely dinner at JG Melon with a friend who lives on the UES. Neither of us had tried it before but she had told me about it earlier in the month. Allegedly, it is supposed to be the classic place to get a burger in the neighborhood. From the bright neon sign to the watermelon art covering this cozy restaurant (LOVE a good pun), going to this establishment is definitely a great experience for all people who aspire to gain the title of "New Yorker" or simply want a good burger. The ambiance was definitely present and there were many families enjoying the atmosphere. The burger itself was very simple. I got a cheeseburger cooked medium with cheddar cheese. You could also get mozzarella or some third option. Say cheddar and my brain needs no more. If you live for condiments like I do, the table was well equipped with Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and of course ketchup. Sir Alton Brown taught me to put mayo on my burger buns sometime in the 2010s so I was able to get some pretty quickly after asking. The burger also came with ample pickles and red onion slices. After spending time applying my beloved condiments and the pickles/onions, I bit into my dressed burger and my jaw did drop a little. The burger was thick and had a great sear on it so the outside was crispy, but the inside was wonderfully soft and juicy. Liquid literally dripped down my lips. The burger does *not* come with fries so definitely a little more on the pricey side at around $15, but considering the reputation of the restaurant I was honestly a little surprised that they didn't price gauge because they could definitely get away with it. We did get the fries ($8?) and they were good for two people to share. They came in the shape of crinkle cut chips. As a separate note, my friend cannot eat gluten so the restaurant was able to give her a lettuce wrap as a substitute. They do not have gluten free bread. Which I think is very on brand for a classic burger restaurant to be honest. Our total bill came to $50 including the tip (greater than 15%). Service was good and attentive, but nothing out of this world. I enjoyed my experience and told my friend that this seemed like a great place to become a regular at if you live in the neighborhood. I am normally a $10/meal type of gal when eating out, so you can trust me price wise when I say I think it would be very well worth eating here again : ) It seems like a great place to come with a friend, alone, or with family! Cash only. read more

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I have been here a couple times and the other night was my last ever visit. I was excited to bring my friend from out of town here to this classic spot for a very yummy burger and cool atmosphere. What we were greeted with were the meanest waitstaff in all of New York City potentially. We sat and waited for 5 minutes waiting someone to come take our order or even give us water. In my standards (where I have worked as both a busser and hostess), this is unacceptable. You need to bring water right when they sit down or ask if they want water only a couple minutes after they sit. We asked the hostess if we could order after we waited for so long and she gave us an insane side eye and then said the waiter would be over shortly. Her attitude was actually insane, I made a joke that she hated us and my friend unfortunately agreed. Once the waiter came over (after another 5 minutes), no greeting was made, just a "What do you want?". Which again, I tried to make the situation more polite and asked How are you to the man and he said good, what do you want to eat. Deadpan no smile. Okay then! Civility is out the window. The rest of the meal comprised of us asking for simple things and never receiving them. Waitstaff forgot about us and the lack of kindness really threw me off. We didn't leave much of a tip as we felt treated miserably and I don't think the waitstaff deserved even the couple dollars we left. After getting down a block and a half, a busser chased us down (which by the way I thought I was about to get mugged, heart rate through the effing roof hearing someone come up that quick behind you) with our bill asking why we didn't leave a good tip as it was split between all waitstaff. I felt pretty shocked that we were getting cornered like this. JG Melon is an extremely busy and successful restaurant, so to be chased down over a couple dollars is quite insane to me. When I worked in the restaurant industry, good or bad tip, I had to suck it up and just do better. When you treat people decently, you get your standard tip or more! We explained to him how we had felt disrespected, rushed, and overlooked. He cut us off several times when we tried to explain the specific instances during our time there but he said he would let the manager know after seeing we weren't willing to give any more money. And so yeah, that was my last meal at JG! Time to find NYC's best cheap burger elsewhere. read more

A very solid burger in the upper east side! Cash only and friendly service! I love all of the melon decor! I ordered a cheeseburger medium- it was cooked well and very tasty. Not mind-blowing, but very good nonetheless. Seating was hard to come by, but was able to grab a seat at the bar. The bartenders were very kind. I would return! read more

J.G. Melon - cheeseburger - American Near Me - New York, New York

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My first and last visit to this overpriced, overrated dinosaur. I'd have been happy to wait 45 minutes for properly cooked hamburgers and "cottage fries" that lived up to their overblown reputation. I'd have put up with the nasty server. But then the burger arrived and it was small and overcooked. Since I was a guest of another person I didn't make a fuss. I asked for mayo for the burger. It never arrived. Then came the climax of this dreadful meal. The cottage fries were hard and cold. So we ate our lousy hamburger and terrible fries. Then the server came over and told us to leave as other people were waiting to come over and have a similarly horrible dining experience. J.G. Melon would do the people of the Upper East Side a big favor by closing up shop and let a competent restaurant manager take their place. Operating on the fumes of their former reputation simply hurts whatever legacy they may or may not have had years ago. read more

Don't eat the chili unless you want terrible food poisoning. Everyone at my table was throwing up. Place used to be good but now will never be back. Also, they forgot to put a top bun on my burger. Meat was dry and crumbly. read more

Was super cool to knock this place off the master NYC burger list after a long walk thru Central Park. Known as a classic establishment, it's clad in melon memorabilia and cash only. Beer is served in cold glass mugs while you're probably seated behind some bigwig execs on their lunch break. Def try the chili cup to sate your appetito after your 30 min wait to be seated and reward yourself with an unfussy bacon cheese burger. I read more

J.G. Melon - Chili cup without cheese and Mozzarella in Carozza - American Near Me - New York, New York

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Service sucks. Waiters are jerks. Wait is approximately 45 minutes every time. Burger is mid and not worth all the hype. Skip it and go to 7th st burgers. You're welcome. Also its cash only, in 2025... read more

I frequented the original JG Melon on the upper westside in the 1970's, so I was excited to go to the upper east side version. Wait staff was so BAD I will NEVER go back. The burger was great, as I remembered and as i expected. The Waiter asked if we wanted drinks (no), menu's were on the table. He greeted us with no hello, just "What do you want??? A burger?" (no hello, or any kind of greeting) and we asked for a couple of minutes to decide. Over 10 minutes later i asked another waiter to send the original waiter over. "He's got a table of 15 and you're next in the queue!" we were abruptly told. Amazingly, the couple at the table next to us commented that the reply was inappropriate! Our waiter came to another table next to ours, they arrived after us, and brought them drinks. I gestered to him and he walked away! He came back 10-15 minutes later and asked why we were upset. "I've been waiting 10 minutes for you to take our order." His reply was "I came back in 10 minutes!" He was clearly annoyed with me! The burgers came and were good as I remembered. BUT the experience will keep me from ever returning! There are too many great burger places in NYC to put up with rude treatment by the wait staff. Oh, the manager said she'd talk to him, I have no expectation that that will happen and she could have offered an apology. I'll go down to SoHo and Kenn and Bob's Broom Street Bar, the trip from the upper east side will be worth it! read more