J.G. Melon

J.G. Melon
Restaurant information
Established	1972; 52 years ago (1972)
Owner(s)	Jack O'Neill and the Mourges heirs
Street address	1291 Third Avenue (on East 74th Street), Upper East Side, Manhattan
City	New York City
State	New York
Postal/ZIP Code	10021
Country	United States
Coordinates	40.771093°N 73.959423°W / 40.771093; -73.959423
Website	https://jgmelon-nyc.com/

J.G. Melon is an American restaurant established in 1972. It is located at 1291 Third Avenue on the northeast corner of East 74th Street, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City. It is known for its hamburgers.

History

J.G. Melon's building dates back to the 1920s, when a tavern was built by a local brewery to dispense its own products following Prohibition.^[1] The space was previously called Central Tavern.

J.G. Melon was established in 1972 by original owners Jack O'Neill and George Mourges, the "J" and "G" of J.G. Melon.^[2] Mourges died in 2000.^[3] The Mourges heirs are co-owners.

The restaurant's decor mostly consists of artwork depicting watermelons.^[4]

O'Neill and Mourges also operated a J.G. Melon restaurant in Bridgehampton, New York, in the 1970s and '80s^[5] and another J.G. Melon restaurant on Amsterdam Avenue which opened in 1977 and closed in January 1993. The West-side Melon's was larger than the East-side space and had a slightly larger menu with more entree selections. Like its East-side parent, it too had a large neighborhood following, and was a favorite haunt of actors and theatre patrons from the Promenade Theatre and the Second Stage Theatre.^[6]

A scene with Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman was filmed at the restaurant for the 1979 film Kramer vs. Kramer.^[2] There is also a scene in Whit Stillman's Metropolitan shot at J.G. Melon.

In July 2015 another satellite location was opened by Magnolia Bakery owner Steve Abrams, brother Danny, and 30-year Melon alum Shaun Young. Except for dessert, the menu is almost identical, including the guarded formula and source for the iconic hamburger. The restaurant is located at 89 MacDougal Street in Greenwich Village.^[7] This location has since closed. ^[8]

In September 2017, a third location was opened at 480 Amsterdam Avenue on the Upper West Side, but has since closed.^[9]

In April 2019, a brief and largely non-cosmetic renovation of the original location was completed.

Notable frequenters

• Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who calls J.G. Melon hamburgers the "best hamburgers in the world.”^[10]
• Food Network host Bobby Flay, who calls J.G. Melon the best hamburger joint in the city.^[11]
• Model Gigi Hadid, who claimed J.G. Melon has the best burgers in New York during an interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.^[12]
• Restaurateur Danny Meyer, who lists J.G. Melon's hamburger as one of the best in New York City.^[13]
• Actor Dylan McDermott, whose father was a longtime J.G. Melon bartender.^[14]
• If forced to choose Travel Channel host Andrew Zimmern^[15] said Melons would be his "last burger ever".

See also

• List of hamburger restaurants

References

1. Motz, George (2011). Hamburger America: Completely Revised and Updated Edition: A State-by-State Guide to 150 Great Burger Joints. Running Press. ISBN 978-0762440702.
2. Eater Staff (April 29, 2011). "Charm, Integrity, and Relentless Lines at JG Melon". Eater.com. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
3. Johnson, Oscar C. (August 4, 2000). "OBITUARIES / Restaurateur George Mourges, 74". Newsday. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
4. Solares, Nick (July 22, 2008). "J. G. Melon". Serious Eats. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
5. Starkey, Joanne (July 18, 1999). "DINING OUT; Where Summer Is Spoken, With Savor". The New York Times. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
6. "Boom Changing Face of Amsterdam Ave" (PDF). The New York Times. September 28, 1980. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
7. "Zagat Stories". Zagat Stories.
8. "Gayot Guide". Gayot Guide.
9. Dai, Serena (September 20, 2017). "J.G. Melon's Iconic Burger Now Sizzling on the Upper West Side". Eater.com. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
10. Sulzberger, A. G. (November 2, 2009). "Bloomberg Pays a Visit to the U.S.S. New York's Crew". The New York Times. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
11. Huddleston, Justina (April 25, 2023). "Bobby Flay's Favorite Restaurant Burgers Are Certainly Top-Tier". Mashed. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
12. Tucker, Alexa (May 17, 2016). "Gigi Hadid Celebrated Her Birthday On 'Jimmy Fallon' With Her Favorite NYC Burger". www.self.com. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
13. "Where's the best place to grab a burger?". Gothamist. May 23, 2008. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
14. MacMedan, Dan (July 14, 2009). "Dylan McDermott shares his 'Dark Blue' secrets, family life". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 27, 2011. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
15. Hart, Karen (March 5, 2022). "The Burger Andrew Zimmern Would Choose If It Were His Last Ever". Mashed. Retrieved July 11, 2023.

40.77105°N 73.95930°W / 40.77105; -73.95930