Mel’s Burger Bar, Upper East Side, NYC

Mel’s Burger Bar serves burgers and other bar foods, yet drinking is what folks go there for.

We arrived during happy hour, yet ordered a brand name cocktail (Grey Goose on the rocks, $16) so the specials didn’t apply.

Since this is a burger joint, we each ordered one. I had the fat Mexican signature burger ($13) pico de gallo, Monterey jack and avocado made deluxe by adding fries ($4) and roasted cauliflower ($4) to share. My dining partner had their California ($13) one with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, avocado, Monterey jack and house sauce. Neither of us could believe how hungry we still were. The burgers contain a small 8-ounce (before cooking) patty. And so, we ordered more. This time the loaded nachos ($14) with chicken, beans, pico de gallo, avocado and cheese to full our tummies after.

I might return to the bar if I lived in the hood as it was fun, yet this is nothing to go out of your way for.

Mel’s Burger
1450 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10021
(212) 452-1304

About the Author: Bonnie Tandy Leblang

Blogger Bonnie Tandy Leblang has been covering food since before it was hip to do so! She’s penned magazine, newspaper and syndicated food columns in addition to cookbooks. Follow her on twitter @BonnieBOTB and on Instagram@BiteoftheBest and at @BonnieBOTB "I eat for a living!” is her mantra, sharing what she’s sampled so you’ll know where (or where not) to go, plus what food products and gadgets to try. For her full bio go to the about us page.

Mel’s Burger Bar, Upper East Side, NYC