Get to Know a Serious Eater.

jwoelker's Profile

Website: http://www.jeffwoelker.com

Location: Chicago, IL

About: Loves me a good burger.

Favorite foods: Burgers and meatloaf.

Last bite on earth:

The Ten Most Recent Comments By jwoelker

From A Hamburger Today

J. G. Melon

So much delicious burgerness. Too bad I don't live in NYC, I'd be at these places every night.

Responses to Comments by jwoelker

From A Hamburger Today

J. G. Melon

@somenoise

Your screen name should be "chip on shoulder" or "axe to grind" as you obviously have an issue with Melon.

I love JG Melon because they serve one of the best burgers in the city, nay in the country. This is despite the less than optimal service one might receive. Not because I am "supposed to" (whatever that means) The JG Melon burger is "lame, uninspired, grody" ? Really? I think that your opinion will be shared by a very small minority of burger lovers. You fail to mention any burgers that you actually prefer to Melon.

I don't get your point about the distinction between bar and burger joint. Who cares? They serve great burgers that's what matters here at AHT.

Finally I think that the Melon burger is worthy of accolades because it is a fantastic burger, I don't see what that has to do with how long I have been living in NYC. And I don't see what is wrong with living in NYC either, you apparently seem to think that there i something wrong with it.

From A Hamburger Today

J. G. Melon

JG Melon is like most eateries in New York. You love it because you're supposed to. What sets this place apart, is the absolutely terrible service.

Let me be honest, there is no reason to go to JG Melon. There are a handful of places in NYC that make the same lame, uninspired, grody, hamburger that they do here, except they treat you like a normal human.

Now I know they pump out hundreds of burgers a day here, but you know what, every other burger joint does as well. And this is a "bar serving burgers" in name only. This is a burger joint, period.

So if you feel compelled to think of JG Melon's as deserving any accolade, then you've been living here too long.

From A Hamburger Today

J. G. Melon

Oops, I forgot to mention...
the chocolate chip cake at Melon's is to die for. If you haven't had it, it's a 3 or 4 layer chocolate cake, and in between each is a layer of chocolate chips. Absolute heaven.

From A Hamburger Today

J. G. Melon

Great review. Yes, the waits at JGM are quite long, the service is slow and surly. But that's just part of the deal and I've accepted it. I am perfectly willing to deal with all of that because there is nothing better than a Melon burger. I personally don't like to put anything on a great burger...just some rare meat and some cheddar - no onions, bacon, tomato or lettuce. JGM burgers are something to crave, and for me the ultimate meal is a Melon burger and some well-done cottage fries. If I had one final meal, that would be it.

From A Hamburger Today

J. G. Melon

I have tried this joint twice.
I find Nothing Special about JG Melon. The burger incites no cravings.
I just understand why this place gets such high praise!

I will admit I prefer the thinner burger format(shake shack devote), however the Wollensky's Grill has a thick burger that I do really like.

(Wollensky's Grill also has better fries)