When most people think of all-American food, their first thought is the cheeseburger. Nothing quite like it existed before the United States existed, and yet it has become a worldwide phenomenon in less than a century. But do you know where the cheeseburger finds its origins?
It’s a relatively simple invention—a grilled patty and cheese in a bun. However, the combination has proven to work without much need for change since its invention.
Here’s what you should know about the history of cheeseburgers.
The History of Cheeseburgers
Do you know where the original cheeseburger was invented and by whom? Many states and cities claim to be the original location of the first cheeseburger, but there has been a lot of debate.
For example, a restaurant in Louisville, KY claims to be where the history of cheeseburgers first started. Carl Kaelin, the owner of Kaelin’s on Newburg Road, added it to his menu in 1934 after trying cheese on his lunch. He never thought to patent the idea or copyright it.
Other food historians credit a 16-year-old from California who put American cheese on his hamburger at his father’s sandwich shop. However, they called the combination a “cheese hamburger” rather than a cheeseburger.
The first person to officially trademark the name was Louis Ballast in 1935, who owned the Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver.
To go even further back, the hamburger was actually invented in Hamburg, Germany. It was then brought to the United States at the peak of the 19th century by immigrants.
The first vegan burger came into existence in London by Gregory Sams. Created in 1982, it was originally called the “VegeBurger”. This idea would later evolve with other brands into things like the “Impossible Burger”, black-bean burgers, and so on.
Burger Variants
Despite the simplicity of the cheeseburger, many new variations of the recipe have popped up over the years.
The first drive-through restaurant, In-N-Out, was established in the late 1940s. By the next decade, McDonald’s came into existence followed by Burger King. All three restaurants helped establish the burger as a fast food option.
Next, the types of add-ons you could purchase for your burger increased in number. Your options of cheese increased from American to things like cheddar, Monterey Jack, and even Gouda. Bacon became a common addition, as well as avocado and chilies.
In other countries, you can find even more variants of the cheeseburger formula. For example, McDonald’s opened up the first kosher restaurants in Israel to cater to people who practiced Judaism.
Indulge in Your Favorite Meal
It’s important to know the history of cheeseburgers if you want to take your taste buds on a trip into the past. Try out some old-fashioned recipes on top of the newest fad burgers. Maybe you’ll learn to appreciate some of the simpler ingredients that go into your meal.
If you’re feeling hungry now, give Burger Republic a call. Our restaurant offers curbside pickup and delivery in addition to our locations across Tennessee. Check out our menu online to see what you’d like.