Though there are many who claim to have invented the hamburger and it is still a hotly debated topic, Louis’ Lunch is the only one officially recognized by the Library of Congress, which acknowledges that the first hamburger and steak sandwich was sold by founder Louis Lassan. Regardless of whether you think somewhere else might have beat them to it, Louis’ Lunch is indisputably the oldest operating hamburger joint and certainly one of the most unique.
Born in 1865, Louis Lassan was a Danish immigrant who operated a New Haven food cart that first sold breakfast items but then expanded to lunch. As the story goes, one day a customer in a hurry cried out, “Louie! I’m in a rush, slap a meatpuck between two planks and step on it!” Louis took two slices of toast and put cooked steak trimmings in the middle, and the burger was born. Louis’ invention was so successful that he opened a restaurant in a former tannery. Though the building was moved two blocks to avoid demolition in 1975, Louis’ Lunch still operates out of the original building.
Visitors to Louis’ Lunch will notice a few things immediately upon entering. The first is that the building is tiny and seating space is very limited, although there is another small room with additional seating near the restrooms. The second is that the restaurant is very dedicated to a limited menu. Hamburgers are still served on toast and the only available toppings are cheese, tomato, and onions. Supposedly, customers asking for ketchup are kicked out, although we didn’t test the limits to see if this is true.
Finally, Louis’ Lunch served hamburgers prepared in original 1898 cast iron vertical gas broilers, while the toast is made in a 1929 Savory Appliance Radiant Gas Toaster. While other restaurants have diversified their offerings and try to give customers a variety of options, Louis’ Lunch is dedicated to giving patrons the authentic experience that has made them a successful family-owned business for over a century. If you don’t want a hamburger on toast, or if you want a wide variety of condiments and sides, you can get that somewhere else.
I enjoyed my hamburger at Louis’ Lunch, and I respect that they are stubbornly unique. There’s a reason people visit this place. The claim to have served the first hamburger is a great accomplishment, to be sure, but if it wasn’t a good hamburger, people wouldn’t still be buying it today.
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