JG Melon Introduce
In the heart of the Upper East Side, there’s a place that’s far more than just a bar and grill; it's a living legend. JG Melon is a true New York institution, a historic and cozy spot that has been serving up some of the city's most iconic burgers for decades. The moment you step inside, you're greeted by a distinctly pub-like atmosphere, bustling with energy and a dynamic vibe that feels both historic and trendy. This isn't a place for quiet, formal dining; it's a lively and convivial space where the focus is on good food, great company, and a timeless New York experience.
The atmosphere is a key part of the appeal. Despite the often-packed and lively crowd, the restaurant maintains a sense of coziness and charm. The high energy is part of its character, making it a great place for a fun night out or a casual meal. The reviews consistently praise the "friendly vibes" and "lively atmosphere," which add to the overall experience. This combination of a casual setting with an energetic crowd and a hint of history is what makes JG Melon so unique and beloved by locals, including college students, tourists, and groups. It’s a place where you can feel the city’s pulse, whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or settling in for a full meal.
While the menu offers a variety of items, from salads to steaks, the true star of the show is the hamburger. As one customer noted, the legend of their burger "holds true." They don't overcomplicate things; they simply focus on doing the essentials right. The burgers are "juicy, flavorful, and unforgettable," with a perfectly toasted, well-buttered bun and a patty cooked to your exact preference. This straightforward approach has earned JG Melon a spot among the best burger joints in the city. The other offerings, such as the delicious bacon cheeseburger and the classic cocktails, complement the main attraction perfectly, ensuring that there's something to satisfy every craving.
JG Melon is located at 1291 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10021. Its prime spot on the Upper East Side makes it a highly convenient and well-known destination. The location is easily accessible for those in the neighborhood, as well as for those traveling from other parts of the city. While parking in this area can be a challenge, the restaurant offers both free and paid street parking options, which is a useful detail for patrons who choose to drive.
The restaurant also prides itself on its accessibility. It features a wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring that all customers can comfortably enjoy the dining experience. The dining options and services are designed for convenience and a seamless experience. The restaurant is popular for "solo dining," "lunch," and "dinner," and is even open late, offering "late-night food" until 2 AM, which is a fantastic highlight for the city that never sleeps.
JG Melon offers a variety of services to enhance the dining experience.
- They provide **dine-in** service in a cozy and lively atmosphere, with table seating and a bar onsite.
- **Outdoor seating** is available, which is a great option for a more casual, open-air experience.
- For those on the go, they offer **takeout** and **curbside pickup**.
- The restaurant is a great spot for **lunch, dinner, and late-night food**, with a schedule that accommodates a wide range of needs.
- They feature a **bar onsite** with a **great beer selection** and **great cocktails**, as well as wine and hard liquor.
- The menu includes offerings like **comfort food**, **quick bites**, and **food at the bar**, making it versatile for different occasions.
- They are known for their **fast service**, a key highlight that customers consistently appreciate.
Several features make JG Melon a truly special place to visit.
- The **atmosphere** is a unique blend of casual, cozy, and **historic**, giving it a one-of-a-kind character.
- The restaurant is a popular spot for **groups** and **tourists**, attracting a diverse and energetic crowd.
- The staff is known for being **super fast** and "constantly moving and monitoring their customers," ensuring a high level of attentiveness.
- They are **good for kids**, making it a family-friendly option.
- The burger is a major highlight, with a reputation for being one of the best in the city.
- They accept **NFC mobile payments**, providing a modern and convenient payment option.
- The bar is a central feature, offering a wide selection of drinks to pair with your meal.
For more information, you can contact JG Melon using the details below.
Address: 1291 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10021
Phone: (212) 744-0585
What is worth choosing at JG Melon? The answer, without a doubt, is the burger. Customer reviews confirm that the hype is real. One reviewer praised the classic cheeseburger for being "pure love," "juicy, flavorful, and unforgettable." The meticulous attention to detail, from a "well-buttered and perfectly toasted" bun to the ability to assemble the burger to your liking with pickles and red onions, is what makes it stand out. This commitment to doing the basics exceptionally well is the secret to their success.
While the fries may not be for everyone, as one customer noted, the overall experience more than makes up for it. The fast service, lively atmosphere, and delicious food create a memorable dining experience that leaves "zero complaints and a happy stomach." JG Melon is not just a place to eat; it's a place to soak in a piece of New York history. It’s a spot where a simple meal becomes an event, a burger becomes a legend, and the memory of the flavor stays with you for hours afterwards. This is why it remains a must-visit destination for anyone looking for an iconic, no-frills meal in the city.
JG Melon Menu
MENU
- Soup of the Day $7.75
- Chili Cup $9.75
- Chili Bowl $13.00
- Hamburger $14.25
- Cheeseburger $15.25
- Baconburger $15.25
- Bacon Cheeseburger $16.25
- Turkey Burger $13.50
- Mozzarella in Carozza $12.00
- Breast of Turkey Sandwich $13.50
- Grilled Breast of Chicken Sandwich with Salsa or Barbecue Sauce $14.50
- Roast Beef Sandwich $12.00
- Turkey Club Sandwich $15.50
- Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato $12.75
- Grilled Cheese, Tomato & Bacon $12.75
- Omelettes with choice of two: spinach, mushroom, bacon, ham, cheese, tomato, onion, red pepper $15.50
- Cottage Fried Potatoes $8.00
SALADS
- Warm Sliced Chicken Salad $18.00
- Chef's Salad $17.75
- Salad Nicoise $17.75
- Chicken Salad $17.75
- Spinach Salad, Mushrooms, Feta Cheese $14.00
with Chicken, additional $7.25
- Small Spinach Salad, Bacon & Mushrooms $10.50
with Chicken, additional $7.25
- Tossed Green Salad $8.75
- Tomato Salad $10.25
ENTREES
- Broiled Fish of the Day, Rice & Salad $25.00
- Roast Rock Cornish Hen, Potato & Salad $20.00
- Chopped Steak, Potato & Salad $28.00
- Small Sirloin Steak 12oz, Potato & Salad $34.25
- Large Sirloin Steak 16oz, Potato & Salad $36.25
- Steak Tartare with Toast Points & Salad $22.25
SIDES
- Pickles $1.50
- Bacon $1.50
- Cheese $1.50
- Rice $2.00
- Tomatoes $3.00
DESSERTS
- Chocolate Chip Cake $9.25
- Cheese Cake $9.25
- Apple Sour Cream Walnut Pie $9.25
- Pecan Pie $9.25
- Seasonal Fruit Pie $9.25
- Key Lime Pie $9.25
- Chocolate Salted Caramel Lava Cake $9.25
- Coffee/Tea $3.50
JG Melon Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Curbside pickup
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Food
- Food at bar
- Hard liquor
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Wine
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Historic
- Trendy
Crowd
- College students
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Usually a wait
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
- Parking
JG Melon Photos










JG Melon Location
JG Melon Reviews
cashschoolbacon cheeseburgermedium rarecottage friesjointskey lime piegimmicksbobby flaythe met
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1We decided to swing by this late-night spot since they’re open until 2 AM, and let me tell you, it was a great choice! Even though it was a Wednesday around 11 PM, the place was buzzing with people, which definitely made us curious about the food.The restaurant is cozy, but the lively atmosphere really adds to the charm. Despite the late hour, the service was impressively quick, which we appreciated. Now, let’s talk about the food! I ordered the bacon cheeseburger, and wow, it was delicious. They definitely don’t skimp on the bacon, which was a delightful surprise! The burger had that classic, old-school vibe—simple and grilled to perfection, just like I remember.On the flip side, the fries didn’t quite hit the mark for me. They were cut into chips and a bit too oily for my taste, so I think I’ll skip those next time.All in all, it was a fun night out with great vibes and a fantastic burger. We left with zero complaints and a happy stomach!
July 24 · Angela RToday I finally visited J.G. Melon, one of New York City’s most famous institutions when it comes to burgers, and I can confidently say the legend holds true.I kept it simple with a classic cheeseburger to really see if it lived up to the hype and it absolutely did. The bun was well-buttered and perfectly toasted, the patty cooked to perfection and exactly to my medium rare request. The burger comes plated with pickles and red onions, letting you assemble it to your taste. Just the essentials done right.From the first bite, it was pure love! Juicy, flavorful, and unforgettable taste. It’s about a four-inch bun it packs an immense punch of flavor that stays with you hours later.The atmosphere adds to the charm: cozy, pub-like, bustling with happy energy and dynamic. I went around 4 p.m., and even then the place was packed, which says it all. J.G. Melon is not just a burger spot, it’s truly a New York institution and for a reason! The staff is super fast, constantly moving and monitoring their customers and gives off friendly vibes.This burger easily ranks among the best I’ve had in the city (and trust me, I’ve had many!). I can’t wait to go back and next time, I might add bacon, but today’s classic cheeseburger was perfection.A flavor so iconic it stayed with me for hours afterwards and honestly I keep thinking about it!
August 28 · Ivan Ottavianliterally incredible. burgers were insane and didn’t make me feel heavy at all. $120 for 3 wines 3 burgers and fries. super well priced. loved sitting outside and only waited around 30 mins at 6:30
September 08 · GummyNot Worth ItThis old and “famous” place is cash only — and honestly, that’s the best thing I can say about it.The quality is bad, the food looks worse than what you’d get at a casual backyard BBQ with friends, and afterward you’re left with stomach pain instead of good memories.The only positive: our waiter was really nice.
September 15 · Kristina ZhegunovaWent and waited 35 minutes to be seated only to sit down and wait another 35 minutes to get well done burgers despite ordering them medium rare. Sent them back and waited another 20 minutes and the burgers came out even more well done than the first time. Waiter didn’t even offer anything on the house despite us showing him they were well done again. This is not medium rare.
September 14 · Alexa K.
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