A Legacy of Lunch in the Heart of New Haven
Est. 1895 in New Haven, CT
The History of Louis’ Lunch
Serving Hamburgers to New Haven, CT & Beyond Since 1895
The beginnings of the hamburger sandwich as we all know it today was really quite simple. One day in 1900, a gentleman hurriedly walked into Louis’ Lunch and told proprietor Louis Lassen he was in a rush and wanted something he could eat on the run. In an instant, Louis placed his own blend of ground steak trimmings between two slices of toast and sent the gentleman on his way. And so, the most recognizable American sandwich was born.
Today, Louis’ great grandson, Jeff Lassen, carries on the tradition. The hamburgers have changed little from their historic prototype and remain the specialty of the house. Burgers are made fresh daily; hand-rolled from a proprietary blend of five meat varieties and cooked to order in the original cast-iron grills dating back to 1898. The Lassen family hold firm on their desire not to offer any condiments. The Louis Lunch experience is about the taste and simplicity of a fresh burger grilled to perfection. Cheese, tomato, and onion are the only acceptable garnish.
More than just another eating place, Louis’ Lunch has held a special place in the hearts of New Haveners for generations. It was threatened with demolition in the early 1970’s to make room for a new high rise. Scores of devoted patrons from all over the world took up the cause for its preservation. Plans for the restaurant’s safe relocation were finalized just hours before the deadline. The historic building was loaded onto a truck and made a 30-minute journey to its final resting place on Crown Street. In an effort to help with the reconstruction, friends and supporters sent thousands of bricks to rebuild its revered walls from every corner of the globe. Each one has its own unique story.
Louis’ Lunch is steeped in history and tradition. Your dining experience will be much the same as it was generations ago.
Louis’ Lingo
If you are visiting Louis’ for the first time, you may want to learn a little of the “Louis’ Lingo”. For example, a Louis’ regular might walk up to the counter and say, “Give me two cheese works, a salad and a birch”. This translates to, “May I have two hamburgers with cheese, tomato and onion, cooked medium rare on toast, an order of potato salad and a birch beer”.
There are many other examples of Louis’ Lingo to be learned, but we suggest learning them first hand from the regulars. After all, we don’t want to give away all our secrets!
eatures in Major Publications
National & major magazines/newspapers
- Food & Wine — “Top Burger Spots in the US” (includes Louis’ Lunch; 2025 list update). Food & Wine
- Time — “Beefed Up Burgers” (history/trends piece that name-checks Louis’ Lunch; Feb 2015). TIME
- Washington Post — “Who invented the hamburger?…” (origin debate with Louis’ Lunch prominently discussed; May 28, 2021). The Washington Post
- Smithsonian Magazine — “Taste-Testing the History of the Hamburger” (explores competing origin stories incl. Louis’ Lunch; June 2014). Smithsonian Magazine
TV & food media features
- Food Network — Louis’ Lunch restaurant page (appeared on Burgers: Between the Buns, Secret Life of… Hamburgers, etc.). Food Network
- Travel Channel — 101 Places to Chowdown (Louis’ Lunch cited as a top pick; show coverage noted across sources). Wikipedia+1
- Daily Meal — “What It Was Like To Eat At The First Hamburger Restaurant in the US” (recaps TV coverage incl. Oprah, History Channel, Travel Channel, Food Network). Daily Meal
Local Connecticut coverage
- New Haven Register — “Historic New Haven restaurant makes Food & Wine list of best burgers in America” (Aug 2025). New Haven Register
- New Haven Register — “Louis’ Lunch marks National Hamburger Day” (May 2024). New Haven Register
- NBC Connecticut — “Tourists flock to Louis’ Lunch to celebrate National Hamburger Day” (May 2024). NBC Connecticut
- ConnecticutHistory.org — “Louis’ Lunch and the Birth of the Hamburger” (historical write-up). CT History
Guides, lists & enthusiast publications
Reference/recognition items often cited by media
- Library of Congress / Congressional Record — entry noting Louis’ Lunch as a Connecticut “Local Legacy” during the Library’s 2000 Bicentennial program (often referenced in features about the “birthplace” claim). GovInfo
- Louis’ Lunch (official site) — press mentions summary and history (useful compilation/confirmation). Louis’ Lunch+1
Contact us today at (203) 562-5507 to learn more about our restaurant, or stop by today to try our classic hamburger sandwich that surely will not disappoint! We look forward to meeting you.