Louis Lunch

Louis' Lunch has operated in New Haven, Connecticut since Louis Lassen founded it as a lunch wagon in 1895, and the Lassen family — now in its fourth generation — claims it as the birthplace of the American hamburger, a distinction recorded by the Library of Congress in 2000. Burgers are hand-rolled from a proprietary five-meat blend and cooked in the original 1898 cast-iron vertical broilers, served on white toast with cheese, tomato, and onion as the only permissible garnishes — condiments are not offered. The restaurant relocated its 19th-century brick building to its current Crown Street address in the 1970s during urban renewal and remains one of the most historically significant fast food landmarks in the country.