It is Veterans Day and people will be rolling out their grills and cooking those those burgers and dogs (weather permitting)….and what better time for a small history lesson in the burger to die for?

A few years ago I wrote about the history of the hamburger and its travels throughout history…..

That Burger

Where did that magical dish (the eatery style burger, that is) come from, I am speaking about the luscious hamburger?

I am pleased that you asked.

Louis Lunch is so old-school there is no history class. 

American hamburger history, at least, begins right here. The New Haven, Connecticut eatery is considered the birthplace of a national culinary treasure. 

The hamburger — specifically, the hamburger sandwich – was, by many accounts, first created and served by Louis Lassen, an immigrant from Denmark.

Lassen arrived in the United States around the age of 20 and began feeding New Haven factory workers from a food wagon in 1895.

Others claim ownership of the first hamburger.

But only Lassen has the stamp of approval from the Library of Congress.

“This New Haven sandwich shop is the home of the first hamburger and first steak sandwich in U.S. history,” the nation’s oldest federal institution announced in 2000.

“Hamburgers are served only on white toast, with a choice of onion, tomato or cheese, but no condiments.” 

Flame-broiled hamburgers are still served the same exact way by a fourth generation of the Lassen family today at Louis Lunch, surrounded by the campus of Yale University.

https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/meet-american-made-us-flip-hamburgers-louis-lassen-danish-immigrant-street-wagon-cook

There is something special about a hamburger….there are many ways to ‘dress’ it after it is cooked but the star should be the beef.  I put the salad on the side with no pickle…all that goes on the bun is mayo and horseradish mustard….I like a 10 ounce patty made from 80/20 beef….lots of flavor that only gets better on the grill.

Nothing is better than a burger on the grill…..and my burgers today will be medium bison burgers with mayo, horseradish mustard, blue cheese….the salad will be on the side….they are so good I may have two.

Enjoy your Veterans Day celebrations and by all means….Be well and Be Safe…..

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”