There are some dining establishments that have a reputation so large it travels across states and even countries. When it comes to the official birthplace of the hamburger, one needs to look no further than the unassuming town of New Haven, Connecticut. While there are many theories about which state - and even, which country - started the tradition of the classic all-American burger, rumor has it that one restaurant is responsible.
Contrary to the belief that Hamburg, Germany, has anything to do with the burger, Lois' Lunch has claimed that fame.
Brief History Of Lois' Lunch
Not only has Lois' Lunch had the honor of being rewarded with the original birthplace of the hamburger, but that honor was awarded by the Library of Congress. Technically, the restaurant was officially recognized as the birthplace of the 'hamburger sandwich' which, as all Americans know and love, is the classic pub burger. The eatery was opened for the first time in 1985, and it was owned by Lois Lassen. Originally, the location was a lunch truck, according to Atlas Obscura, starting out as a much smaller operation than what it is today. However, it has not grown much in size - but it's well worth the wait to be seated today!
The official hamburger sandwich story goes a little something like this: It's said that one day, a customer requested that Lois make him something that was quick, as he had only a few minutes for a lunch stop. In an effort to save time while cooking and satisfy the customer's need to have lunch on the go, Lois mixed up a few types of meat leftover from other steak sandwiches, fried it up on the stove, and served it between two slices of toast. According to the Library of Congress, this is how the official hamburger was born. In the decades to follow, the hamburger would take on thousands of different styles and flavors, as well as different toppings and slices of bread - mainly the official hamburger bun. The story is so solid that even the House of Representatives had a hand in confirming the origins of the hamburger.
The Evolution Of The Lunch Truck
Following the birth of the official hamburger, Lois was able to swap out the lunch truck for a small eatery, which only furthered the word of mouth regarding the birthplace of the hamburger. This change happened during the mid-1970s, and the eatery still remains very much the same to this day. In fact, the eatery is so similar to the first day it was opened that even Lois' family is still running the operation - four generations later!
- Fact: One of the most unique and historic features of Lois' Lunch is the classic vertical stove on which the food is cooked. These aren't available anymore and are rarely found in restaurants, which makes a trip to the restaurant feel just as historic as it seems. The stove itself dates back to 1898.
Today, customers who walk into Lois' Lunch will be treated with the same hamburger that the restaurant has prided itself on for well over a century. The burger is made quite simply and, according to the owners:
"Louis’ Lunch is committed to serving a classic hamburger that is made with a proprietary blend of five cuts of meat, ground fresh daily. We want you to experience the meat’s true flavor, so we serve it on white toast and only offer cheese, onion, and tomato as garnishes."
Customers who prefer their burgers a bit more jazzed up with be encouraged to trust the process - Lois' Lunch has a reputation, after all!
Visiting Lois' Lunch
Another perk of lunch at Lois' Lunch is being part of a family-owned restaurant. This eatery prides itself not only on the delicious food but also on its family-type of atmosphere. Customers will automatically feel as though they're part of the Lois' Lunch club, and it's a personal dining experience as well as a tasty one.
Lois' Lunch is also home to a gift shop where customers can find eatery-specific clothing and items, including their classic 'no ketchup' shirt. Additionally, customers can purchase regular t-shirts sporting the Lois' Lunch logo as well as gift cards for their hardcore hamburger-loving friends and family. Also, don't be surprised if the restaurant's lingo sounds a bit strange - this was a classic trait of Lois' Lunch when it first opened! For example, 'two cheese works, a salad, and a birch' translates to two medium-rare cheeseburgers with tomato and onion, a potato salad, and a birch beer.
Hours
- Tuesday & Wednesday 12 PM - 8 PM
- Thursday 12 PM - 12 AM
- Friday & Saturday 12 PM - 1 AM
- Closed Sundays & Mondays