Louis' Lunch
A small brick building that claims to have invented the American hamburger in 1900, still grilling patties on old upright iron stoves and serving them between slices of toast.
Louis’ Lunch was founded by Louis Lassen, a Danish immigrant. It is said that in 1900 he put a beef patty between two slices of bread for customers in a hurry, and the Library of Congress lists it as one of the birthplaces of the hamburger. Inside the small brick building, the patties are still cooked on 19th-century vertical cast-iron grills, and toasted bread replaces the bun. They come only with cheese, tomato and onion, and the house rule is “no ketchup.” Seating is limited, hours are short, and the restaurant may close in summer, so check the website before you go.
Opening hours
Mainly Wednesday to Saturday (check official website)
Nearby sights
- Shubert Theatre
- Yale Center for British Art
- Yale University Art Gallery
- Yale University Old Campus & Harkness Tower
- New Haven Green
- Sterling Memorial Library
- Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
- Grove Street Cemetery