JG Melon is a laid-back Upper East Side classic, serving juicy, no-frills cheeseburgers and crispy cottage fries in a cozy, cash-only pub decked out with vintage melon-themed décor.
"We'd eat a burger and cottage fries at this Upper East Side institution at any time, any day of the week. But we have a soft spot for the 2am visit, when you order a martini even though you certainly don't need it, and forget, for the thousandth time, that this place is cash-only. (The ATM is across the street, towards 75th Street.) The restaurant is open every day until 3am, except Sunday when it closes at 1am. A cup of chili has life-saving powers at this hour, especially followed by a tart slice of key lime pie. We don’t make the rules." - willa moore, will hartman, neha talreja, bryan kim, sonal shah
"The burgers at this Upper East Side institution are always, always medium-well, no matter what you told the server in an old J.G. Melon sweatshirt and a charming side ponytail when she asked you how you wanted it. Maybe you said medium-rare. What you’ll get is a cooked-through cheeseburger, dressed up with the toppings you'd find at a cookout—lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles. Just like old times. Add cheese $1; add cottage fries, $8" - will hartman, willa moore, molly fitzpatrick, bryan kim, sonal shah
"The burger at this unpretentious, preppy pub is no modern-day smashburger. It’s a thick patty on a gently toasted bun, and best with grilled onions and bacon, plus their cottage fries. Sure, it could benefit from a little (or a lot) more salt, but the whiff of old cigarette smoke lingering in the dark wood walls, the instantly recognizable green checkered tablecloths, and the watermelon-centric art everywhere make up for any lack of seasoning. Bring cash and get a drink at the bar while you wait for a table. Chili, cheeseburger, cottage fries, key lime pie" - molly fitzpatrick, willa moore, will hartman, bryan kim, sonal shah
"This Upper East Side mainstay dating to 1972 is a paragon of bar food. Sure the turkey club and chef’s salad are up to par, but the burgers command the most attention, especially when they make an appearance at the pass of the semi-open kitchen. The patty arrives deeply seared from the flat top, but still pink and juicy. Rippled cottage fries are the classic accompaniment and draft beer is the drink of choice." - Robert Sietsema, Melissa McCart, Emma Orlow
"An Upper East Side institution known for its no-frills cheeseburger, served with LTO and pickles."
