| J.G. Melon | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1972; 53 years ago (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 /40.771093; -73.959423 |
| Website | https://jgmelon-nyc.com/ |
J.G. Melon is an American restaurant established in 1972. It is located at 1291Third Avenue on the northeast corner ofEast 74th Street, on theUpper East Side ofManhattan in New York City. It is known for itshamburgers.
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 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 withMeryl Streep andDustin Hoffman was filmed at the restaurant for the 1979 filmKramer vs. Kramer.[2] There is also a scene inWhit Stillman'sMetropolitan shot at J.G. Melon.
In July 2015 another satellite location was opened byMagnolia 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 89MacDougal Street inGreenwich 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.
40°46′16″N73°57′33″W / 40.77105°N 73.95930°W /40.77105; -73.95930
