Louis’ Lunch, the oldest hamburger restaurant still operating in the U.S.

Apr 4, 2018 10:06 PM

Tigershark650

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109242

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1469

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39

I remember eating hamburgers on bread slices as a kid, never thought there was a place that sold their burgers like that

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Pretty sure McSorleys been around at least 50 years before

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

The griddle hasn’t been cleaned once

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

The oldest established permanent floating craps game in New York.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

sliced bread hamburgers? is this a restaurant run by eight year olds? I love it! This takes me way back.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Hey I'm from there! New Haven, the city, not the restaurant

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Toast should always be medium rare at most

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

The picture does not even begin to show how tiny this place is. I keep saying i should go but every time I am over there it's on a Sunday.

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

On my bucket-list. They still use the cast iron toaster for the bread. Mmmmmm

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

“Potatoe Salid” sounds delish

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

A hamburger on bread? Just like my poverty stricken aunt, used to make.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

"Oldest Hamburger" meaning they're the longest living burger place, or they specialize in selling old hamburgers? Asking for clarification.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Honestly they're awful. Bland meat on plain toast with cheese and onions. All hype

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I wasn't impressed either but I can see the appeal.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

FOXON PARK!!!

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Gassosa, is the best imo.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

HA! please - I drink/eat in pubs twice as old as that.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Is their toaster from 1895 too? Someone start them a GoFundMe to buy one that works.

8 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

God I love that place. Those verticle grill/ovens do something magical to the meat.

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

That's a steamed ham of I've ever seen one

8 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Every wood surface of this place has someone's name or initials or something carved into it.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Have you been here?

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I have indeed. Part of the charm is the patina. New Haven actually has some of my favorite food places on the east coast.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Also the burgers, while not much to look at, are pretty damn good.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

This doesn’t look great

8 years ago | Likes 28 Dislikes 3

Between this and the pizza, there really is no beating New Haven food (Also hi from North Haven)

8 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

As someone who lived in NYC for a decade, I can say that CT has the best pizza anywhere in the country. Frank Pepe, Brewport, Firehouse...

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Waterbury here & former New Haven/West Haven resident. Always up vote CT!

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

I have friends from out of state who call me a pizza snob, not my fault New Haven gave me higher standards than them

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Foxon Park makes a damn perfect birch beer

8 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

YAS!!!

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I thought birch beer was local to pa Dutch country. Where is this place?

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

+1 for birch. foxon area of east haven, CT https://www.foxonpark.com

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Just because you're the first, doesn't mean you're the best.

8 years ago | Likes 106 Dislikes 20

Valid....but Lou's is pretty fucking tasty

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Name the fourth guy to walk on the fuckin moon

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Lived there for a short while, visited this place a couple times. It was a huge letdown. Great pizza in that town, though

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Tried eating there on the way to Boston from DE. It was closed for the summer. Ate phenomenal pizza instead from across the street.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Can confirm. Burger is aggressively "meh." And medium-rare. Liked the potato salad, though.

8 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

I concur. I live nearby this place. Don't bother. Go with one of the many brilliant pizza places near by.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

It looks rather meh

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Looks good to me

8 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

1895 "old" in America ... Jeez

8 years ago | Likes 23 Dislikes 15

In our defense we do love to set shit on fire.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Lol there's several schools in my town older than that and the US is older than my country by a long shot

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

How old is your oldest hamburger spot?

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I feel like all spots in hamburg are technically hamburger spots.

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I heard there's a White Castle in Dover

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Is that the place that won’t let you use ketchup.

8 years ago | Likes 38 Dislikes 1

Thank god integrity is still a thing.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 3

Damn right it is.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Lol or wut.. *whips out ketchup packets

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Only 3 topping options

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

My kind of people. Just kidding, no matter how disgusting ketchup is, it IS an American staple, and the customer is always right

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 4

Yup, my only gripe about that place.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I believe so.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I hate that they're purists, fucking obnoxious

8 years ago | Likes 23 Dislikes 7

Ketchup is disgusting on a burger. Get used to it.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 35

There’s a bunch of unique tasty ketchups out there. Not just Heinz’s. Try them out

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

no.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 8

Yup. Give me some damn pickles, mushrooms, bbq sauce, and fried onion strings. Whoever tells me I'm eating a burger incorrectly is a dick.

8 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 2

It might not be the way others like it, but it's the way I like it. Also, add lettuce, bacon, and jalapeños.

8 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Chicago doesn't allow ketchup on hotdogs

8 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 1

Ketchup is fine on a hot dog... If you’re under the age of 7.

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 5

There's an adult way to eat food from the kid's menu?

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

That's because ketchup on a hotdog is an abomination... Hamburgers are ok, though.

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 2

Lol you can get ketchup on a Chicago dog buts it’s frowned on in certain establishments.

8 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

I like hot sauce on pretty much everything. I hate mustard. How would that go over

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I have no idea lol.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Chicago hotdogs already have sport peppers so it would be a bit spicy.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Couple questions: 1. Is that a burger on toast cut in half? 2. Any idea how many times this place changed hands since 1895?

8 years ago | Likes 486 Dislikes 3

Burger on toast is the way to go. Don’t they steam their cheese here as well?

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

It is operated by the 5th generation of the same family

8 years ago | Likes 129 Dislikes 0

Also is this the one that steams their burgers?

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 2

No, their burgers are cooked in 120 year old cast iron vertical gas grills.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Because on toast is the original way that hamburgers were consumed... Also... it's a delicious way of doing it.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Not relevant to this eatery, but Texas toast, a fried egg, and sweet pickles make a burger divine.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I’m not op but the places like that here are passed down to other fam members. Diners ate like that here in the south.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Four generations of the same family.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

A british pub I used to go to called their burger on toast a "Wimpy".

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

They serve burgers, not hands.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Patty melts are always on sliced bread. It's not that strange.

8 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

Owned by one family, the Lassen family.

8 years ago | Likes 30 Dislikes 0

God dammit Lassan at it again.

8 years ago | Likes 22 Dislikes 1

Lassaaaaaaaaan

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Burger meat w/ tomato and onions on toast. Vertical toaster you can see in the 2nd pic. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis%27_Lunch

8 years ago | Likes 56 Dislikes 1

I ate here on tour once. I fucking loved it.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Is it worth a trip?

8 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

How would you rate the burger?

8 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

About tree giddy

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 4

Fair to middling but for drunk or hungover Yale students:

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Question 3. What's in that cup?

8 years ago | Likes 18 Dislikes 0

Potatoe Salid?

8 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Tatoes.

8 years ago | Likes 18 Dislikes 0

wots tatoes, precious?

8 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 0

v

8 years ago | Likes 18 Dislikes 0

Have you ever had a burger on toasted sourdough bread?? It's pretty damn good

8 years ago | Likes 20 Dislikes 0

uhm..frisco burger at hardee's

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Isn't that a patty melt? And yes!

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Sourdough Jack at Jack in the Box

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

That was a common substitute for a roll or bun in the south and still is. Toasted homemade bread usually sourdough. My mom used 1 slice >

8 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

>cut in flag for a sausage or hotdog. Not always enough money for buns.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

What does “cut in a flag” mean?

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Hahahaha sorry didn’t catch that autocorrect! Flag=half. Sorry bout that.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

We always ate our burgers on toast growing up. We called it being poor.

8 years ago | Likes 490 Dislikes 2

This.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese...hell, mush them down for a tortilla...

8 years ago | Likes 53 Dislikes 0

Same in my family. When you hungry it’s delicious.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

hotdogs for lunch, the season water for dinner, Wienie soup,

8 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Look at Fancy Feast here with his minced beef? Just Toast in our house. And we had to eat it before Dad came at us with the jumper cables.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I thought I remembered hearing that this was how the first burger was made - on white bread

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

So many great little burger dives still serve on toast of some sort.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Buns are for the rich

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Exactely

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

We called them woolmarket burgers (town I grew up in). Only thought buns were a school or restaurant thing.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Look at the rich kid over here affording burgers.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Its also called "a patty melt" usually its sourdough though

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

We did too, but we didn't call it being poor. It's silly to buy a bag of buns to eat three and let the rest go stale, poor or not.

8 years ago | Likes 17 Dislikes 1

That's when you just use them for other sandwiches. Bread is bread, yeah?

8 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

The worst part is how the bread sticks to the roof of your mouth.

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Lightly toast, my friend

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

My mom wasn't about to toast upwards of 20 slices of bread for dinner.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

We did too. Its sad to think my dad wouldn't give my mom enuf money from his check for food/bills so she had to do stuff like this :(

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Poor is a state of mind. You were broke. Unless you had poor minds.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 4

Sad truth. Being pennyless is not being poor, I've been there. Some people can claim that, though. Life can just plain suck

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Can't beat a welfare burger!!!!

8 years ago | Likes 26 Dislikes 2

You must be delirious

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Oh you had toast? Lucky bastard, I ate it non-toasted and was happy, dammit.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Made it on the old Welcome Dover

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

The secret is to lightly toast it. L I G H T L Y

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Would you like some lightly fried fish fillets?

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Say lightly fried fish fillets one more time...

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Lightly fried fish fillets!

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You know you’re poor when you crush up saltines in a bowl, pour in milk, and add some sugar to eat and not starve- My childhood.

8 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

Puff- wheat and water for me. That shit is banned for life in my adult home lol

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Or when you try to melt government cheese on the cheapest tortilla chips the store had and it doesn't melt at all

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Wtf is government cheese? I don't think we have that in Canada

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Is that a styrofoam cup full of mashed potatoes?

8 years ago | Likes 94 Dislikes 5

I thought it was nanner pudding with whip cream on it

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I'd say potato salad.

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Same thing kfc does

8 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

All KFCs in my area closed in 2011 when the franchise owner closed them due to a lawsuit with KFC corporate. I miss those potatoes and gravy

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Potato “Salid”

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Not sauerkraut?

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Yes, and it was good. Other option for sides is a bag of chips. No fries.

8 years ago | Likes 54 Dislikes 0

No Pepsi, Coke

8 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 2

No Coke, Pepsi.

8 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

Wait mashed tators or potato salad huge difference, pic looks like salad that's why I'm asking

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

What do you mean by "chips"? In Australia chips means hot chips and potato chips (like what you buy in a bag at the supermarket).

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

We mean the thing you weirdos call crisps.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

You mean chips

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

In Australia we don't call chips crisps. That's a British thing (and also New Zealand)

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

This place is on my list of places I really want to visit.

8 years ago | Likes 58 Dislikes 1

Me too. I need a reason to go to New Haven, though.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

The pizza is reason enough

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Recommendations duly noted. Thanks, y’all!

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Not if the burgers look like that.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

If you want a terrible burger and even worse customer service then you're in for a treat

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

I lived in that area for a bit and locals said it's really not that great of a burger :/

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

If you go to New Haven for food, have pizza.

8 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

This guy knows whats up.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Or crack cocaine. Definitely try the crack.

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I felt like it was a waste of money. If you do go there's a bar across the street called Bar. Trust me, and try their mash potato pizza.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

They are really snobby about how a real burger is made. Ie no ketchup. If you ask they will likely roll their eyes before telling you no

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

It's super ok. Go to New Haven for the pizza instead.

8 years ago | Likes 22 Dislikes 2

This is what I was saying! screw this place. I went once and it was okay at best.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Try pizza at Bar - right near Louis. Not to start a New Haven pizza battle, but it's the best.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Battle started... Sallies - best straight up; modern- best toppings; Bar- best unique (mashed potato bacon); peps - best burns

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I’ve really only been to Pepe’s pizza, I’m a bad Connecticut citizen

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Very bad indeed. At least try the mashed potato and bacon at bar.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0