An email from a friend (Hi, George) told us we were near the place where the first hamburger sandwich was served. http://www.louislunch.com/
The place is only open a few hours per day a few days per week so we were amazed that we managed to fit it into our schedule but fit it in we did.
This sign says it all:
They serve hamburgers. Period. You can have cheese, tomato and/or onion on it. Period. There is no catsup, mustard or pickles to be seen. You can have potato salad or one of several flavors of chips which come in a bag. You can have pie. Today’s choices were apple or Oreo cream pie. You can have your choice of several beverages. Our Diet Pepsi came in the can; we shared one and took the other, unopened, with us. The burgers are cooked medium rare unless you specify otherwise and they are served on toast.
The “Maestro” who cooks the hamburgers is a direct descendant of the founder and he had fun with the fact that I wanted my pie before my burger. No “clean your plate or you can’t have desert for me!”
As you can see the place is tiny. Come early if you want a seat. We shared the one big table, seats eight with two per side, with several other people who came and went while we were there.
You can tell the tourists from the regulars. We tourists gawk and take pictures and take a long time to order from even such a simple menu. The regulars call ahead to place their order or come in and call out, “Cheese works” then (about 20 minutes later) grab their portable lunch and go back to work. It’s not wonderful food but it is a wonderful experience. If you are ever in New Haven, CT, at the right time of the right day you might want to stop by. Metered parking right across the street was available when we were there yesterday.
TTYL,
Linda
Sounds like a place we’d like to go!
I glad you were able to make it. This will have to be on our list of places to eat the next time we do the east coast. This time we used up all our time & money eating Lobster & clams.