(212) 650-1310

1291 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10021 40.7711 -73.9594

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Neighborhoods: Upper East Side, Midtown

Price:

$$

Last updated 8.19.09

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Cash

Restaurant Special Features:

Group Dining, Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene

Cuisine:

Hamburgers, Traditional American

What People Are Saying About JG Melon

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

J.G. Melon is a dusty old neighborhood tavern with green-and-white checkerboard tablecloths, old men who drink beer in the middle of the day and Irish waitresses who address regulars by nicknames like "The Commander." The highlight of the pub-food menu is the burger--juicy, loosely packed and served on a small bun. The menu offers other standards as well: a turkey club sandwich, chicken salad, roast Cornish hen. Bartenders pour Coors Lite and Budweiser.

ambiance
71.4300012588501% positive
  1. The burger is fantastic as are the salads, the fries, the bloody marys and the atmosphere which harkens back to a better New York.
  2. It is a small place so it tends to get crowded and noisy during dinner hours but its all part of the experience, have a beer while you wait and enjoy the atmosphere.
  3. We sat outside so i can't really say what the ambiance or decor was like inside, but i did see that they have a full bar.
  4. The ambiance sucks, too.
  5. This is a great neighborhood place with lots of atmosphere.
  6. The bar scene is fun which helps because there's usually a wait to get in.
  7. Third, there is a bit of a wait most nights, but that's more attributed to the great atmosphere and burgers.
drinks
68.75% positive
  1. great burgers,maybe the best bar burger in town.
  2. The bar scene is fun which helps because there's usually a wait to get in.
  3. restaurant/bar. JG Melon is a unique establishment and provides a unique experience.
  4. It is a small place so it tends to get crowded and noisy during dinner hours but its all part of the experience, have a beer while you wait and enjoy the atmosphere.
  5. Accompanied with a side of cottage fries, a cup of chili and a cold beer, it is the perfect meal.
  6. We sat outside so i can't really say what the ambiance or decor was like inside, but i did see that they have a full bar.
  7. bar that serves a decent burger - nothing more
  8. Fries were tasteless and beer served in 1/3 pint glasses at pint prices.
food quality
90.2299976348877% positive
  1. have been going to Melon's for my entire life, and believe me, these ARE the best burgers in the City.
  2. Great food including burgers, steak tartar and everything that is bad for us.
  3. had been a regualr a corner since I live downtown but I was up visiting a friend so figured I would give mellons a try-it was a nice place, good service, nice people, the burger was almost as good but the fries are the wavy disk type which can be good b
  4. The fries, which are sliced into little rounds are really good as well.
  5. bar that serves a decent burger - nothing more
  6. the service is casual but the burgers are the best ive ever had.
  7. And the fries are amazing, too.
  8. The cottage fries are also amazing and they are very fresh and easily addicting.
  9. The burgers are good, but there are many better burgers in town and the cottage fries are mediocre (IMHO cottage fries are always mediocre, which is why no one else serves them).
  10. The burgers are delicious -- fresh, juicy and flavorful.
  11. JG Melon has possibly the best burgers I have ever had in my entire life.
  12. The burgers here are the best in the City.
  13. The poor service and passable food definitely didn't fit the bill.
  14. one of the best burgers in manhattan.
  15. the burgers are fresh made, juicy and really simple.
  16. Pair is with a spicy Bloody Bull and you've got a perfect meal.
  17. People rave about the burgers.
  18. JG Melon is very inexpensive, too -- only $8 for a burger (a huge burger) and $6 for a huge order of fries (split the fries between 2 people).
  19. If you want a good burger, go somewhere else.
  20. Absolutely the best burgers in town
  21. The burgers here are amazing.
  22. So, one evening, in dire need of the best burger possible, I sing the second-hand praises of this joint to my companion and drag him up there.
  23. The cottage fries are also delicious.
  24. Thin, flat, dry burger on a thin, wonder-bready bun, with a limp pickle and some wilted lettuce and mealy tomato.
  25. JG Melon's burgers are, without a doubt, up there with Jackson Hole, The Burger Joint (at the Park Meridian), and P.J. Clarke's in midtown and rival those restaurants for the best burger in Manhattan.
  26. great burgers and bloodies!
  27. While I love the burgers and they're reasonably priced, J.G. Melon does have some downsides.
  28. The food was delicious, but service was a little on the slow side, but i wasn't in a hurry so no big deal.
  29. The fries are expensive at $3.50.
  30. Also, the bloody bull (a bloody mary modified to include beef broth) is an excellent add on to the burger.
  31. Great burger, great evening
  32. Their fries suck compared to the cottage fried at JG Melon's.
  33. great burgers,maybe the best bar burger in town.
  34. The burgers are delicious (I get mine medium-rare.
  35. Took my sister who was in from out of town and she said it was her best meal in the city.
  36. the best burgers in town
  37. was anxious to try JG Melon after I heard that it had the best burgers in the city and I would have to agree.
  38. Only at Melon's can you see a 70-something socialite take off her diamonds and pearls to scarf a juicy bacon cheeseburger and the amazing cattage fries!
  39. Accompanied with a side of cottage fries, a cup of chili and a cold beer, it is the perfect meal.
  40. The best burgers in the city and lots of local charm.
  41. Ok, I was recommended J.G. Melon by one of my NY buddies, and he said it's "one of the best burgers ever
  42. great burger, unfriendly service
  43. Hands down the best burgers in the Big Apple's five boroughs.
  44. this is THE BEST burger in new york city - i've been to each and every spot in manhattan and this is the best tasting of all - HANDS DOWN.
  45. like the burgers, even though I think $8.00 is very pricey for a simple burger without fries.
  46. The burgers are excellent: tender, fresh, beefy and cooked to your liking.
  47. The burger is so juicy and delicious that I have yet to stray from my usual order.
  48. This isn't just the best burger place in the city, it's the best restaraunt in Manhattan.
  49. The burgers were good, but the price made me cringe.
  50. Call me crazy, but I love their spinach salad, too.
  51. Third, there is a bit of a wait most nights, but that's more attributed to the great atmosphere and burgers.
  52. Best burger, best people, too
  53. Cause like me, LOTS of other people love the food and keep coming back!
  54. It feels 'old school' and that's because their food is just as delicious today as it was years ago (according to my late grandmother).
  55. Without fail, hands down, no peer best burgers in Manhattan.
  56. The chip-fries are also delicious, and the chili is a great option if you're not in the mood for a burger.
  57. Skip Rare and all of the hype and go to JG Melons for really good fries and burgers.
  58. It's the best burger ever!
  59. You CANNOT be the best burger in town if you serve your burger on store-bought-quality wonder bread hamburger buns.
  60. The best burgers in New York!
  61. love the chicken sandwiches and the fries.
  62. Best Burger in NYC, also wonderful cottage fries.
  63. Best burgers, worst service
  64. JG Melon has some of the best burgers in the city.
  65. The burger is fantastic as are the salads, the fries, the bloody marys and the atmosphere which harkens back to a better New York.
  66. The burger was cooked to perfection and the portion sizes were perfect!
  67. If you are a burger fan, the Melon is not to be missed as it compensates nicely with the best burger for its spotty service and cramped environs.
  68. Of all the choices for a great burger in the city, this is the top.
  69. Love the food, Hate the staff
  70. The person above who reviewed the burger as bad and stringy must be a total idiot.
  71. JG Melon serves the best burger in NYC, hands down.
  72. have been there before and the burgers are good but not at the quality of 'have to have before you die' burgers.
  73. Have a great burger and cottage fries.
  74. Possibly the best burger in the world.
  75. Stopped in for late lunch and had a great burger!
  76. The menu here is limited, good burgers but that's about it!
  77. They have the best burgers, cottage fries and bloody marys anywhere.
  78. Hands down best burger in NYC, great fries too.
  79. good burger fries need work
  80. The food pricing is what you would expect for any "nice" restaurant here in the city.
  81. burgers good for past 20 yrs-there are never any surprises!
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. The menu here is limited, good burgers but that's about it!
  2. Of all the choices for a great burger in the city, this is the top.
overall
87.5% positive
  1. You CANNOT be the best burger in town if you serve your burger on store-bought-quality wonder bread hamburger buns.
  2. This is a great neighborhood place with lots of atmosphere.
  3. This isn't just the best burger place in the city, it's the best restaraunt in Manhattan.
  4. had been a regualr a corner since I live downtown but I was up visiting a friend so figured I would give mellons a try-it was a nice place, good service, nice people, the burger was almost as good but the fries are the wavy disk type which can be good b
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. had been a regualr a corner since I live downtown but I was up visiting a friend so figured I would give mellons a try-it was a nice place, good service, nice people, the burger was almost as good but the fries are the wavy disk type which can be good b
service
69.0500020980835% positive
  1. But the guy who seats you is just aws rude as you've read.
  2. Cause like me, LOTS of other people love the food and keep coming back!
  3. The food was delicious, but service was a little on the slow side, but i wasn't in a hurry so no big deal.
  4. My roomates and I call ahead to place our order, then walk in and pick it up to avoid waiting for a table -- but the staff is always friendly and never obnoxious or pushy, even when it's crowded and crazy.
  5. If you are a burger fan, the Melon is not to be missed as it compensates nicely with the best burger for its spotty service and cramped environs.
  6. I'm told one of the bartenders is the father of a famous movie star.
  7. The seater was so incredibly rude to our party, including snapping at a pregnant woman who politely asked about the wait, that we were too angry to eat there.
  8. Too rude to stay
  9. The bartender sucks and has an attitude.
  10. had been a regualr a corner since I live downtown but I was up visiting a friend so figured I would give mellons a try-it was a nice place, good service, nice people, the burger was almost as good but the fries are the wavy disk type which can be good b
  11. The poor service and passable food definitely didn't fit the bill.
  12. So the staff might be a bit scratchy from time to time, but they're fair, and once you're seated and move on to the second tier, the service is fast and happy.
  13. Love the food, Hate the staff
  14. There is no excuse for the horrible service at this place.
  15. Best burgers, worst service
  16. great burger, unfriendly service
  17. Best burger, best people, too
  18. know this place has been around for a while and is very busy, but I believe in good service and hospitality when I am spending good money, which they do not offer.
  19. the service is casual but the burgers are the best ive ever had.
  20. JG Melon is very inexpensive, too -- only $8 for a burger (a huge burger) and $6 for a huge order of fries (split the fries between 2 people).
  21. We didn't encounter any rude wait staff, but the host was rude to other customers.
value
77.77999877929688% positive
  1. The fries are expensive at $3.50.
  2. JG Melon is very inexpensive, too -- only $8 for a burger (a huge burger) and $6 for a huge order of fries (split the fries between 2 people).
  3. know this place has been around for a while and is very busy, but I believe in good service and hospitality when I am spending good money, which they do not offer.
  4. Quite frankly, JG Melon is one of my favorite restaurants in Manhattan, and it's not expensive at all.
  5. Fries were tasteless and beer served in 1/3 pint glasses at pint prices.
  6. like the burgers, even though I think $8.00 is very pricey for a simple burger without fries.
  7. The burgers were good, but the price made me cringe.
  8. The food pricing is what you would expect for any "nice" restaurant here in the city.
  9. The good news is that they are successful enough that they can afford to charge very reasonable prices.
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. The food was delicious, but service was a little on the slow side, but i wasn't in a hurry so no big deal.
1 Star Rating: Poor

02/09/12

wow. amazing attitude, even for New York

by joenyc

We go there occasionally and the burgers are pretty good, and hefty.

The fries are just ok.

The variety otherwise is sparse, ie no side orders, no vegetables, and lame deserts.

For a beer and a burget it is ok.

As others have noted here, the staff can be quite rude and not in a fun/attitude way, just downright grumpy sometimes.

1 Star Rating: Poor

06/21/11

DONT ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS stingy portions

by JordanTA

DONT EAT THERE, they are rude and nasty- the watiress must be related to the owners and in tiny print you will see at the bottom of the menu

THEY DON"T ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS

HELLO IRS! would be nice to have a cash business and this is only pointed out when you are leaving that your credit card is not welcome

Sandwiches are tiny amounts of meat and no trimmings,

overpriced and not friendly

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/05/10

Amazing Burger

by kream36

I am a burger junkie. I could eat a burger everyday if I knew it would not kill me. The cheeseburger at JG Melon is simply amazing.

This joint would qualify as a dive in the sense that it is small, intimate, and has a simple menu. There is a small bar right at the enterence as well as a couple tables outside. Inside, tables are stuffed into every single nook and cranny. You walk past the tiny kitchen. When I say tiny, I do mean tiny. It is only slightly larger than a jail cell. The cook hand forms the burgers and then cooks them on a flat top. The outside is perfectly seared and the inside (I like my burgers well done) was juicy and moist.

The burger is simple, you get a nice soft bun, pickles(amazing also) and red onion. The burgers are juicy and plump and over flow the bun. The cheese is perfectly melted and the whole thing is the most amazing thing I have ever tasted.

They do not serve fries, they have what are called cottage fries, which are kind like a thicker potato chip mixed with a french fry. Very tasty.

If there is a downside, it is a little on the pricy side. I realize that it is New York and all, but for 2 burgers, 1 order of cottage fries, a soda (no free refills) and a beer, it was $39.00. But it was worth every single penny!!!!

  • Pros: The best burger you will ever eat
  • Cons: Pricy, Very small
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/16/09

tasty

by satho

one of the best burgers in manhattan. small restaurant and usually long wait but worth it.

the burgers are fresh made, juicy and really simple. must try

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/25/09

nice on a sunday afternoon

by welkian67

great burgers,maybe the best bar burger in town....i highly recommend the chili as well...beware,the bloody marys are spicy!

The Details on JG Melon

Place Categories:

  • best burgers
  • good unfriendly service
  • really good burger fries
  • flat dry burger
  • very fresh cottage fries
  • recommend neighborhood place
  • erudite everybody
  • great food
  • perfect meal
  • worst service
  • always friendly wait staff
  • nice people
  • bad everything
  • best hamburger
  • enjoy atmosphere
  • favorite restaurant
  • lousy bun
  • sucks ambiance
  • full bar
  • good great patty
  • delicious chipfries
  • unique experience
  • best restaraunt
  • best bar burger
  • mediocre imho cottage fries
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