J.G. Melon
| J.G. Melon | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Restaurantinformation | |
| Established | 1972 |
| Owner(s) | Jack O'Neill and the Mourges heirs |
| Street address | 1291Third Avenue(onEast 74th Street),Upper East Side,Manhattan |
| City | New York City |
| State | New York |
| Postal/ZIP Code | 10021 |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 40°46′16″N73°57′34″W/ 40.771093°N 73.959423°W |
| Website | https://jgmelon-nyc / |
J.G. Melonis an American restaurant established in 1972. It is located at 1291Third Avenueon the northeast corner ofEast 74th Street,on theUpper East SideofManhattanin New York City. It is known for itshamburgers.
History[edit]
J.G. Melon's building dates back to the 1920s, when a tavern was built by a local brewery to dispense its own products followingProhibition.[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 inBridgehampton, New York,in the 1970s and '80s[5]and another J.G. Melon restaurant onAmsterdam Avenuewhich 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 withMeryl StreepandDustin Hoffmanwas filmed at the restaurant for the 1979 filmKramer vs. Kramer.[2]There is also a scene inWhit Stillman'sMetropolitanshot at J.G. Melon.
In July 2015 another satellite location was opened byMagnolia Bakeryowner 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 89MacDougal StreetinGreenwich 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[edit]
- Former New York City MayorMichael Bloomberg,who calls J.G. Melon hamburgers the "best hamburgers in the world.”[10]
- Food NetworkhostBobby Flay,who calls J.G. Melon the best hamburger joint in the city.[11]
- ModelGigi Hadid,who claimed J.G. Melon has the best burgers in New York during an interview onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[12]
- RestaurateurDanny Meyer,who lists J.G. Melon's hamburger as one of the best in New York City.[13]
- ActorDylan McDermott,whose father was a longtime J.G. Melon bartender.[14]
- Travel ChannelhostAndrew Zimmern[15]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Motz, George (2011).Hamburger America: Completely Revised and Updated Edition: A State-by-State Guide to 150 Great Burger Joints.Running Press.ISBN978-0762440702.
- ^abEater Staff (April 29, 2011)."Charm, Integrity, and Relentless Lines at JG Melon".Eater.RetrievedAugust 28,2012.
- ^Johnson, Oscar C. (August 4, 2000)."OBITUARIES / Restaurateur George Mourges, 74".Newsday.RetrievedAugust 28,2012.
- ^Solares, Nick (July 22, 2008)."J. G. Melon".Serious Eats.RetrievedAugust 28,2012.
- ^Starkey, Joanne (July 18, 1999)."DINING OUT; Where Summer Is Spoken, With Savor".The New York Times.RetrievedAugust 28,2012.
- ^"Boom Changing Face of Amsterdam Ave"(PDF).The New York Times.September 28, 1980.RetrievedAugust 28,2012.
- ^"Zagat Stories".Zagat Stories.
- ^"Gayot Guide".Gayot Guide.
- ^Dai, Serena (September 20, 2017)."J.G. Melon's Iconic Burger Now Sizzling on the Upper West Side".Eater.RetrievedNovember 21,2017.
- ^Sulzberger, A. G. (November 2, 2009)."Bloomberg Pays a Visit to the U.S.S. New York's Crew".The New York Times.RetrievedAugust 28,2012.
- ^Huddleston, Justina (April 25, 2023)."Bobby Flay's Favorite Restaurant Burgers Are Certainly Top-Tier".Mashed.RetrievedJuly 11,2023.
- ^Tucker, Alexa (May 17, 2016)."Gigi Hadid Celebrated Her Birthday On 'Jimmy Fallon' With Her Favorite NYC Burger".self.RetrievedJanuary 11,2021.
- ^"Where's the best place to grab a burger?".Gothamist.May 23, 2008.RetrievedJuly 11,2023.
- ^MacMedan, Dan (July 14, 2009)."Dylan McDermott shares his 'Dark Blue' secrets, family life".USA Today.Archived fromthe originalon January 27, 2011.RetrievedAugust 28,2012.
- ^Hart, Karen (March 5, 2022)."The Burger Andrew Zimmern Would Choose If It Were His Last Ever".Mashed.RetrievedJuly 11,2023.