The Library Of Congress Says The Birthplace Of The Hamburger Was Right Here In Connecticut At Louis' Lunch
By E Jamar|Published October 26, 2019
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E Jamar
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E Jamar is a published writer based in Milwaukee, WI. Despite being a Midwesterner at heart, you can often find them trekking throughout the states and discovering new hidden gems. When they're not traveling, you can find them discussing disability issues, cuddling their pug puppy, and checking out new local spots.
The hamburger has come to be a true American delicacy, and we’ll bet you didn’t know that it started right here in New Haven. Since 1895, Louis’ Lunch has been serving up the most delicious burger after a local came in and said they wanted something they could eat on the go. After that quick interaction, the hamburger as we know it was born, and even the Library of Congress has recognized Louis’ Lunch as the birthplace of this famous sandwich. The menu at this famous burger spot is as simple as can be, so let’s dive into the history of the hamburger’s birthplace and how you order a hamburger at Louis’ Lunch in New Haven.
Welcome to Louis' Lunch! This famous New Haven restaurant is the birthplace of the hamburger according to the Library of Congress.
Louis Lassen, the original owner, was a blacksmith and a preacher who came to New Haven from Denmark. He became a peddler with his food cart and added lunch to his repertoire in 1895: the first sign of "Louis' Lunch" as we now know it. Jeff Lassen is the current owner and is the fourth generation of Lassen's to operate the current location.
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The story of the birth of the hamburger is an interesting one.
Legend has it that a local came up to Lassen's food cart in 1900 and demanded a lunch to-go. Louis' then places a piece of ground meat trimmings between two slices of toast, and that's where the burger was born.
The menu is simple. You can order a hamburger or a cheeseburger, with tomatoes and/or onions. That's it. All burgers are made-to-order, and cooked medium rare.
You can choose their famous potato salad as a side, or a bag of chips. Locals tend to order by saying something like "two cheese works" which would mean two cheeseburgers with both tomatoes and onions. No condiments are available, and the Lassen's are sticking to it.
You might have to wait a little bit for your sandwich, but we promise it's worth it.
Each burger is freshly grilled in a small cast-iron grill that dates back to the 1800s. This beef is as fresh as can be, and grilled-to-order for the best hamburger ever.
Louis' Lunch is truly a Connecticut landmark, and the birthplace of the hamburger. You need to go for yourself and taste a piece of history.
For more information on Louis' Lunch, you can visit their website right here.
Have you ever been to the birthplace of the hamburger in New Haven, Connecticut? What did you think? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments!
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