On the corner of 74^th and 3^rd is J.G. Mellon. The restaurant itself stands out, with a two story neon sign that acts as a beacon to any burger lover, as well as its green exterior, which covers the entire four story building, though the restaurant only occupies the first floor. Entering the restaurant feels like a time warp because of the 1960’s burger joint feel, with dim lighting almost fully illuminating the plastic checkered tables with the glass Hienz ketchup bottles and the wood bar and bar stools. As you walk to get a table the next thing you’ll notice is the kitchen. This is because as you walk by it you can see right into the kitchen through the window that all the food is passed though. As you look in you’d see only a few things, such as the grill, the fryers, and some cabinets, because that’s all the kitchen is. The restaurant can operate with such a small kitchen because there is only the back room with around a dozen tables, the front room with around five tables, and if the weather is nice, a few tables outside.

The kitchen may be small, but the food is always amazing. The menu is somewhat limited, but everything is good, especially the burger. To me Mellon’s has the best burger in New York City. The only reason people praise PJ Clark’s is because they haven’t gone to Mellon’s. The patty is thick with fresh meat, cooked to perfection, covered in delicious cheese, lettuce and tomato if that’s your thing. Even the bun is just right, not too thick or thin, and always fresh. The fries are incredible quarter sized pieces of fried awesomeness, but don’t ask for French fries, they’re cottage fries. If you ask for French fries you risk experiencing the bad side of Mellon’s.

The service is the only downside to the restaurant. Do anything remotely impolite, and you’ll experience the wrath of the waiters. If a tip is less than twenty percent, you will get chewed out. If you try to sit at a table with friends while waiting for an order to go, you’ll hear a lecture about how wrong your actions are. There are no reservations and walking in at seven on any day of the week will result in a forty-minute wait.

Despite the service, which is fine as long as you don’t act like a fool, the only cash restaurant is perfect, especially at 2 in the morning.

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