Louis' Lunch
A family-run eatery opened in 1895 that claims to be the birthplace of the hamburger sandwich, still cooking them in antique vertical cast-iron broilers.
Started in 1895 by Louis Lassen as a lunch wagon, this eatery moved to its current location in 1975 and has been passed down through four generations. The establishment claims to have invented the hamburger sandwich in 1900 when a customer in a rush was served beef between slices of toast, though this claim remains historically debated. The burgers are made from a proprietary blend of five cuts of beef ground fresh daily, cooked in original 1898 vertical cast-iron broilers, and served on white toast. Optional toppings include cheese, tomato, and onion, but no condiments are provided, and they are cooked medium-rare by default. Seating is limited and reservations are not accepted. The busiest time is about three hours after opening, with fewer crowds in the late afternoon. Located on Crown Street, it is very close to Yale University and downtown, making it easily walkable.
Opening hours
Tue–Wed 12:00–20:00; Thu 12:00–23:30; Fri–Sat 12:00–24:00; Closed Sun, Mon (official website); Closed for the entire month of August and the week after New Year's
Nearby sights
- Louis' Lunch
- 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