There are a few notable celebrities and self-proclaimed foodies who believe that JG Melon makes the best cheeseburger in New York (I have friends who are adamant about this as well). I am well acquainted with the food at JG Melon so when I suggest you should only try the cheeseburger ($8.75) and perhaps a cup of their chili ($6.25) which is well made, I am speaking from experience. Whether or not the cottage fries ($4.25) are any good obviously depends on whether or not you like the thick cut, which I do not.
The kitchen doesn’t close until well after 2 am and the service is fine but if you ask stupid questions they’re going to let you know. On my last visit I sat and ate at the bar (there is always a wait for the cramped tables) next to a dim-witted woman who asked the female bartender if the bar’s ginger ale out of the soda gun was fresh. I had a little chuckle myself but the bartender went to town ”fresh? It’s ginger ale? What do you think we’ve got people in the back peeling fresh ginger??? It’s ginger ale, do you want it or not?” I could only imagine would what have happened to this woman if she asked Zack or Kenny Shopsin the same question but I’d put money up that the retort would involve that all too vulgar “c” word, referenced multiple times.
But one doesn’t come to JG Melon for the service, ginger ale, broiled fish of the day or the cottage fries, they come for the burger. And some burger it is, with a perfect crust on the outside and soft medium rare goodness through and through (if you order it well done you should be shot). Anyone can easily tell the difference between good quality fresh meat and over frozen cheap meat and know Melon’s is the top of the line. The burger sits on a beautifully toasted sesame seed bun and comes with red onion and pickle slices. I recommend you order the burger with cheese and if you’re really feeling decadent, bacon as well, at $9.50 it’s still a steal.
I think JG Melon’s burger belongs in New York City’s top five at number four. Keep checking in on Saturday’s “Simply The Best” posts for my top five burger picks. In the meantime if you’ve never made the pilgrimage to JG Melon and consider burger culture to be a religion you are an indeed devoid of a sacrament.
JG Melon – 1291 3rd Avenue (At 74th Street) NY, 10021, (212) 650-1310
Filed under: Burgers Tagged: | Best Burger In New York, burger crust, Cheeseburger, Chili, cottage fries, decadent, fresh ginger ale, ginger, Ginger Ale, JG Melon, Kenny Shopsin, medium rare, NYC's Top 5 Burgers, pickle slices, red onion slices, religion, sacrament, sesame seed bun, Simply The Best, Zack Shopsin
