Skip to Main Content

Louis Lunch.

Home of the Hamburger

Field review by the editors.

New Haven, Connecticut

Several towns claim to be the Birthplace of the Hamburger, including Hamburg, New York; Athens, Texas; and Seymour, Wisconsin. But only New Haven has the original restaurant that served that first hamburger: Louis (pronounced LOO-eez) Lunch.

This is not Burger King.

Louis Lassen supposedly made and sold his first hamburger in 1900 to a customer in a hurry. Louis had no catsup then, so the hamburgers sold at Louis Lunch have no catsup now. He also had no rolls, so Louis Lunch burgers are still eaten between two slices of toasted white bread. And they're still cooked on the 1898 cast iron grills that cooked Burger Number One.

Louis Lunch was about to be bulldozed in the early 1970s when local burger fans rallied to save the tiny restaurant and move it to its current location. One of its inner walls was rebuilt with rocks and bricks sent by fans from around the world. Most of these are labeled, including one from far-away Bora Bora, proving that distance is no barrier to Louis Lunch fandom.

The restaurant has never left the Lassen family, and is currently operated by one of Louis' great-grandsons.

Home of the Hamburger

Louis Lunch

Address:
263 Crown St., New Haven, CT
Directions:
At Louis' (loo-ese) Lunch. I-95 exit 47 onto Hwy 34 toward downtown. From Hwy 34 exit onto Frontage Rd, then a quick right onto York St., then another quick right onto George St., then a quick left onto Crown St.
Hours:
Th-Sa noon-2am, Tu-W 11-3:45, Su-M - closed. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
203-562-5507
Admission:
Free
RA Rates:
Major Fun
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

New Haven Green: Bodies UnderfootNew Haven Green: Bodies Underfoot, New Haven, CT - < 1 mi.
Knights of Columbus MuseumKnights of Columbus Museum, New Haven, CT - < 1 mi.
Midnight Mary's GraveMidnight Mary's Grave, New Haven, CT - 1 mi.
In the region:
Mr. Millenium - Giant Snowman, Southampton, NY - 39 mi.

More Quirky Attractions in Connecticut

Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in Connecticut.

Explore Thousands of Unique Roadside Landmarks!

Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Start here.
Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Create Your Own Bizarre Road Trips! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

Connecticut Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

JFK's World Famous Twine Ball, Highland, Wisconsin (Mar 18-24, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings