Heard about this place through George Motz' Burger America. I had to try the first hamburger in America! They predate the invention of the burger bun, so it's served on toasted white bread. The beef-blend is made from several cuts (seven total, I think) and cooked to a beautiful medium rare. The onion, tomato and secret cheese spread are all that you need, not that they offer anything else! There's no ketchup, so don't even ask! Their vintage toaster and vertical broilers are working museum pieces, and the building is a trip back in time. Went there, got the t-shirt!

I was in the mood for a burger and happened to be across the street from Louis Lunch. Instead of eating it there, I got takeout, which made a world of difference. For one thing, the burger cooked a little more by the time I got it home, so it wasn't so rare. I prefer medium, so that was a good thing. And being home, I could add condiments which you can't get in the restaurant plus my own side dishes that they don't have in the restaurant. I actually enjoyed my burger a lot more and will take out going forward.

This is absolutely the best burger I ever had. I am so glad that I made this trip to Connecticut all the way from Maryland. This is super worth it, maybe more than Connecticut famous pizzas. The owner was super kind, attentive, and wholesome. I will visit again tomorrow, to try potato salad. It was out unfortunately when I visited today. The burger is perfectly cooked as medium rare, so melty and juicy. So fresh ingredients. The burger was only $8 including tax, and they also accepted apple pay and credit cards. It is located at the heart of downtown New Haven, and open until very late so perfect for night snack or hangover food. Highly recommend this place!!

A Historic Gem for Burger Enthusiasts! Louis' Lunch in New Haven, CT, is a historic culinary icon that lives up to its reputation. Visiting this establishment was a delightful experience, tailored not to new-age foodies, but to those with a passion for pure, classic hamburgers. It's like stepping into a time machine, where you can enjoy a similar hamburger experience that ignited America's love for hamburgers. The quality of their burgers is exceptional. Cooked to perfection on their famous vertical cast-iron grills, each burger is bursting with flavor and juiciness. The simplicity of their burgers, served on toasted white bread with cheese, onion, and tomato as optional toppings, allows the meat to take center stage. Beyond the delicious burgers, the experience itself is memorable. The cozy, vintage atmosphere makes you feel like part of history. Prepare to be impressed by their dedication to tradition, quality ingredients, and outstanding service.

I had the day off of work and figured, what better time to check out the birthplace of the hamburger since I live so close to it?! So, I shot on down to New Haven, CT to check out Louis' Lunch! Lol. Atmosphere/Appearance: Set right downtown New Haven is this gem. There is no private parking so you'll have to find a structure or spot on the street to park your fly ride. The outside doesn't fit into the city AT ALL. Lol. It's a small brick building that actually closes during the month of August to "take inventory of spoons". I'm sure it's just a break for the employees and it makes all the sense in the world. Once inside you're transported right back to... who knows what time with stone and brick everywhere. There's little decor aside from relics that have been here since the restaurant's inception. Service: There is no table service so you just go up to the counter, order from the very limited menu, pay in cash then go sit down until your name is called. It's fairly simple and not bad at all. Food: There isn't much on the menu here... hamburgers, cheeseburgers, potato salad, chips and pie. It's fairly straightforward. You also get the option to add tomato and onion if you'd like. So I went with the cheeseburger with all the fixings. It was fine. Lol. They're steamed in the original sideways steamers then the cheese is added along with the tomato and onion then sandwiched between 2 slices of white bread. Places like this exist not because the food is exception, but because of history and nostalgia. There's nothing wrong with that at all! Value: I can't remember how much I spent, but I think it was less than $20.00 for 2 cheeseburgers and some chips. A fairly inexpensive lunch if you ask me. In conclusion, I came, I saw, I conquered. I don't need to revisit this place because I did it once and a burger like this isn't what I'm looking for on a regular basis. Cheers to Louis' Lunch for sticking around since 1895!

Louis Lunch is allegedly the home of the modern hamburger. Some may argue its origins. I think these guys popularized it. Let's go with that and avoid blowing up the comments section of this review. You come in, you order the hamburger; end of transaction. They decide how you want it, a rarity with the modern restaurant but oddly in-place here. I will say that medium-rare is a little on the wet side, but they do deliver a great hamburger, regardless of how many napkins you need. Don't ask for ketchup. It doesn't belong on a modern burger, and it doesn't belong on a classic burger, either. I will die on this hill. Eat a tomato. I haven't tried the potato salad or pie, but I would be curious to know how Louis Lunch would handle fries.

Tasty, dedicated to tradition and history. Claimed to be the original hamburger, it's a juicy patty, well seasoned, served on toast with a smear of cheese sauce, a slice of grilled onions, and a slice of tomato. That's it. The burger is elemental, unadorned, and good. The space has tight quarters, seemingly run by one clerk and one guy loading the three century-old upright gas ovens, loading a cool rotary toaster from the 1930s or something, and slicing tomatoes and onions to order. Handwriting orders in sharpie and red crayon, insistence on little upfront prep, and somewhat inconsistent execution (top patties are less juicy, veggie slice thickness is uneven, once I got raw onions!) can be quaint, but I can easily see it as stubbornly regressive. Either way, I love their commitment.

Not comparing this to today's burgers, this is a simple, tasty burger. Patty had good beefy taste and it's soft. Certainly not dry. I wish the bread was toasted more. Very tasty with cheese, onions, and tomato. I had a late lunch but honestly I could eaten a second burger. No issues with service. Small space with limited seating. A couple two person seats with very small tables. One communal table. I like the original interior.

First, I want to say for the historic significance of this place and the beauty of its "oldness" it is well worth the visit. It's the birthplace of HAMBURGER. This place looks like it's been around since Robin Hood and his Marry Men plunge the riches of the wealthy (except in Connecticut). Maybe it's not that long (obviously), but it looks like a well-preserved antique. The cool one, not the one your grandma keeps to give to you that doesn't match your wife's decor. It's not huge inside. For seating, you can sit 2-3 old wooden booths, or you can sit what I can only describe as wooden cubby benches with slight separators that have a stationary wooden table in front of each. Tempted to wear a dunce hat when I ate in one. Pics or didn't happen. It's super odd but cool nonetheless. Now the food. The burger is the definition of OK. Do your research. They dont make gourmet burgers with brioche buns and exotic toppings (or even lettuce). If you are expecting this. Don't go or plan for a change in your expectations. The burger served to me probably hasn't changed much since it's invention at this place. A recipe frozen in time. You can get cheese, tomato and onion on it. You're going to get it medium/medium-rare. You dont get a choice of well doneness. Accept it. The burger wasn't expensive. The beef and choice of minimal condiments are served between two pieces of toast. I give it a 4-stars because although the beef was of great quality, I didn't find the bare flavor to be anything special from the basic burgers I've had before. It was OK. Not terrible, not bad. Just OK. But look, this place is a historic landmark, and the visual experience, in my opinion, makes up for the food itself. If you are willing to go to Disney World or Six Flags and eat the worst food, then you should show love for an American landmark and eat your basic burger like a champ. I would go back again to simply experience Connecticut history again after a night of drinking or a show at College Street.