Claims regarding “the first hamburger in America” are a dime a dozen, but unlike those based in Texas, Ohio, upstate New York, or elsewhere, New Haven has physical evidence, in addition to a wealth of oral history, to support its carnivorous claim to fame. In 2000, the Library of Congress officially acknowledged that the first American hamburger was served by Louis Lassen. The very same broiler that cooked up the first hamburger in 1900 — which dates to the 1890s — is still used to cook hamburgers at Louis’ Lunch today, 120 years later. In addition to being the birthplace of the American hamburger, Louis Lunch is also the oldest continuously operating hamburger restaurant in the United States. Today, the Lassen family continues to own and operate the famous eatery, which occupied a small brick building on George Street in New Haven from 1917 to the 1970s when it was moved to its current location at 261 Crown Street. Visitors can order an “original burger” made of ground steak trimmings pressed into a patty and served between two pieces of toast. (Be forewarned, however: In the name of authenticity, ketchup is not allowed!)

A recent article in Connecticut Magazine by Albie Yuravitch (see link below) adds credence to claims that Louis’s was not the first official American hamburger. It cites no less than four sources providing hamburgers as early as 1894. Still, Louis’ Lunch’s claim to be the oldest continually run hamburger stand in the U.S., is , and will remain, incontestable – at least for now.