The Hamburger Controversy
Its Not Rocket Science
Most people accept that the Wright brothers were “first in flight” in 1903. However, when the historic accomplishment is much simpler…the credit can get really mucked up. Let’s consider the invention of the hamburger. Its not rocket science…press some ground beef, cook it up, and add some bread. The simplicity of this invention has caused the “first hamburger” claimants to come out of the woodwork. In this post, we will attempt to shed light on the Hamburger Controversy.
Menches Brothers
For our first claimants, we go to the Erie County Fair in Hamburg, New York, on September 18, 1885. According to legend, the Menches brothers were selling sausage patties at the fair. They ran out of pork. So, they pressed some beef meatballs flat and cooked them. Furthermore, the patty was featured with bread, onions and ketchup. As they were in Hamburg…they called it the a “hamburger.” The Menches Bros. and their descendants have staked their claim to the invention ever since.
Today, the descendants of the Menches Brothers run three restaurants capitalizing on the hamburger invention legend. In these restaurants, there are plenty of local news articles talking up the legend. But, in reality, the hamburger invention seems more family lore, than hard fact. I am not disputing their claim. I am just staying its more of an exercise of faith. However, I ordered their “Original Burger” for lunch. It was excellent. Whether they invented the burger or not, I would return to the Menches Bros. restaurant anytime.
Charlie Nagreen
About one month after the Menches Bros. claim, a young lad, named Charlie Nagreen, was not selling many meatballs at the local fair in Seymour, Wisconsin. Amazingly, Charlie took the same approach as the Menches Bros. by flattening his meatballs and serving them with bread. Viola! Charlie continued selling his hamburger every year at the fair until his death in 1951.
The town of Seymour does a very good job marketing their claim to the hamburger invention. The invention is mentioned on most city signs. Charlie has his own statue. There is a hamburger Hall of Fame. Furthermore, there is an annual Burger Fest celebration to honor Charlie and his invention. In fact, at the 2001 event, the town folk erected the “Charlie Grill” for the Burger Fest. They then proceeded to set the Guinness World Record for the largest hamburger. The record has since been broken elsewhere. However, the Charlie Grill remains in place at the fairgrounds along with Charlie’s statue.
Seymour, WI, does a good job celebrating their claim. However, there is no currently operated restaurant where you can taste an original “Charlie Burger.”
And then, there’s Louis’ Lunch
While I am sure the good folks in Hamburg, NY, and Seymour, WI, will swear by their version of the hamburger origin…the hard evidence opens the door for debate. If you need a stronger case to choose your favorite origin story, I give you Louis’ Lunch…
Established in 1895, Louis’ Lunch is a quaint burger joint in New Haven, Connecticut, credited with introducing the hamburger in 1900. Unlike the other origin stories, Louis’ Lunch has a bit more meat too its claim (pun intended). The original place STILL exists. The same fourth generation of the family still operates it. So, they actually have restaurant documents supporting their claim to the hamburger since 1900. In fact, due to this continuity of evidence, the Library of Congress officially credit’s Louis’ Lunch with the invention of the hamburger.
Full disclosure…I have not been to Louis’ Lunch. When next in Connecticut, Its a priority blog mission.
Wrap It Up
There it is. That’s the Hamburger Controversary. It up to each of you to make your own call on correct origin story. Personally, I think you have to go with one of the earlier claims in Hamburg, NY, or Seymour, WI. The alleged events occurred 15 years prior to the Louis’ Lunch claim. Both towns can not be complete liars. Furthermore, Seymour does the best job celebrating the hamburger. So, I give my endorsement to Charlie Nagreen of Seymour, Wisconsin…The Inventor of the Hamburger. Have a wonderful day. PT
I hope you have enjoyed reading “The Hamburger Controversary” on Traveling with PugsleyTonks.
Here was an earlier and less informed hamburger post… https://travelingwithpt.com/ode-to-the-hamburger/
Here’s further information on the origin story of your choosing…
Menches Bros. https://menchesbros.com/
Seymour Burger Fest https://www.homeofthehamburger.org/
Louis’ Lunch https://louislunch.com/
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