How We got the Modern Hamburger
The humble hamburger has a fascinating journey that stretches back centuries and spans continents.
Some even trace its origins to the 13th-century Mongol horsemen, who supposedly tenderized raw meat by placing it under their saddles as they rode, then eaten raw. Much like the legendary tale of Alexander the Great and Dolmades, this story leans more towards myth than fact. In truth, the origins of the beef patty date even further back. In Marcus Gavius Apicius’ cookbook from the early 4th century AD, we find that the Romans enjoyed a dish called isicia omentata, which was essentially a seasoned beef patty or meatball.
Steak Tartare
It's possible to trace the journey of minced or ground beef into northern Europe, then to the USA, through the influence of the Mongols and their cultural exchanges with various Turkic-speaking groups, including the Tatars.
This culinary tradition evolved into what became known as Russian "Steak Tartare," a dish of finely minced raw meat seasoned with spices. Over time, this early form of “Steak Tartare” spread via merchants, sailors, immigrants and other sea travelling people from Russia to the port of Hamburg, Germany.
In Hamburg, the concept of minced meat gained popularity, offering a practical and flavorful solution in an era when dental care was rudimentary, making tough meats harder to chew. This innovation paved the way for the development of what we now recognize as hamburgers.
It must be noted that while Steak Tartare’s origins are rooted in Russia, since the late 19th century it has become more commonly associated with French cuisine due to its refinement and popularity in France and other Western countries.
Mechanical Meat Grinder or Shredder
Despite the concept of the mechanical meat grinder seeming unappealing to our modern-day sensibilities, it brought numerous advantages. With its invention in the early 19th century by a German engineer, the humble hamburger took a significant leap towards its eventual status as a multi-billion-dollar industry in the 20th century. Before this innovation, meat was laboriously minced by hand or using specialized tools.
The American Hamburger
The journey of the much-loved beef patty to the USA continues.
It crossed the Atlantic Ocean from Hamburg, Germany and landed in the United States. In New York, due to demand, restaurants catering to sailors, immigrants and merchants who craved their beef minced patty, began serving a dish known as "steak cooked in the Hamburg style," which eventually simplified to "Hamburg Steak." Delmonico’s Restaurant in New York City had a Hamburg Steak on the menu by 1873.
The evolution of this name reflects a fascinating culinary journey, akin to a childhood game of telephone.
Origin of the American Hamburger Sandwich: Many Good Contenders
The exact origin of the modern American hamburger—featuring a patty with toppings like tomato, cheese, lettuce, and ketchup, sandwiched between two pieces of bread instead of served on a slice of toast on a plate—is a topic of debate, with various competing claims. Here are a few notable contenders.
Louis Lassen
- Louis’ Lunch of New Haven, Connecticut, holds the distinction of being credited by the USA Library of Congress as the birthplace of the Hamburger Sandwich. In 1895, Louis Lassen introduced the first hamburger sandwich, combining ground beef between two slices of bread. Today, Louis' Lunch remains in operation, managed by the fourth generation of Lassens, making it one of the oldest family-run businesses in America. You can still visit their establishment on Crown Street in New Haven (and if you live close by, you must!).
Hamburger Charlie
- Meanwhile, ten years earlier in 1885, and over 1,000 miles away in Wisconsin, a 15-year-old named Charlie Nagreen noticed fair-goers at the Seymour fair needed a convenient food to eat on the go. His meatballs weren’t selling, so he flattened one, placed it between two slices of bread, and dubbed it the “Hamburger.” It quickly became a hit, and Charlie, later known as "Hamburger Charlie," served his creation annually at the fair until his death in 1951. Today, Seymour proudly proclaims itself as the “home of the hamburger.”
The Menches Brothers
- Then there are the Menches brothers, Charles and Frank. They are often credited with inventing the hamburger at the 1885 Erie County Fair in Hamburg, New York. When they ran out of pork they substituted beef and... “They added coffee, brown sugar, and other ingredients to create the taste America knows today as the Hamburger.” [1] (The company is still in business so try to visit it in one of its locations in Ohio, USA if you can!).
Fletcher Davis
- We can't neglect to mention Fletcher Davis from Athens, Texas (named after a very old capital city called "Athens" close to PJ Kabos' heart!) who in the 1880s is said to have invented the hamburger sandwich and to have later brought it to sell as a vendor at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis.
ABC News Report, in 2007 concerning the history of the American hamburger: "One problem is that there is little written history. Another issue is that the spread of the burger happened largely at the World's Fair, from tiny vendors that came and went in an instant. And it is entirely possible that more than one person came up with the idea at the same time in different parts of the country." [2]
The list of possible inventors or first time sellers of the American hamburger sandwich goes on. As communication was not at all instant in those days, it was probably at the 1904, St. Louis World’s Fair where the hamburger sandwich gained national attention from people far and wide. As we can see from the above, as the 19th century ended and the 20th century dawned, hamburgers became a popular item at fairs and events due to their convenience...people didn't need a table to sit down and eat but could hold the nutritious beef patty between two pieces of bread and enjoy it on the go.
But soon, hamburgers were to become an American icon, up there with Apple Pie and Chevrolets!
White Castle & the Bun
The founding of White Castle in 1921 in Wichita, Kansas, marked a significant moment in the hamburger's history. Not only was it the first true fast-food hamburger chain, but co-owners Billy Ingram and Walter Anderson standardized the production of small, square hamburgers, known as "sliders." Anderson designed a small, square bun specifically for holding these hamburger patties, ensuring the bun was sturdy enough to hold the meat and toppings yet soft and easy to eat.
This innovation was crucial in making the hamburger a popular fast-food item and pioneering the fast-food model that would revolutionize the industry. Sliders, characterized by their small size and square shape, became an iconic and easily replicable fast-food item, solidifying the hamburger's place in American cuisine. There are over 350 White Castles outlets today and it is still family owned (so make sure to visit one if you can!).
Post-World War II & the All-American Hamburger
The post-World War II era saw a boom in the hamburger's popularity, especially with the rise of fast-food giants like McDonald's.
McDonald's
Originally a barbecue restaurant, owned by the McDonald's brothers, McDonald's transformed into a world-wide chain specializing in hamburgers under Ray Kroc's guidance. It now has nearly 42,000 franchises globally! This period marked the hamburger's ascent as a symbol of American culture and cuisine.
The Late 20th Century & Early 21st Century
In the late 20th century, fast-food chains like McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's played pivotal roles in globalizing the hamburger. It became an international icon, adapted to local tastes and preferences worldwide.
Moving into the 21st century, the hamburger continues to evolve, embracing trends like gourmet burgers, plant-based burgers, and a focus on sustainability and health-conscious options.
Today, in the hamburger's continually evolving way, it is our pleasure to bring to you a very special hamburger made with PJ Kabos High Phenolic Olive Oil and Biker Dude Seasoning.
Olive Oil Hamburger Recipe
Beef—Main dish; Serves: 4; PJ KABOS Extra Virgin Olive Oil used: Family Reserve Organic Robust
Ingredients
For the Patties:
- 4 hamburger buns
- 1 kilo beef, high-quality
- Parsley, 1 bunch, finely chopped
- 1 small red onion
- 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
- 2 tablespoons PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic Robust
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Biker Dude Burger Seasoning, to taste
- pepper, to taste
For the Grilled Vegetables:
- 4 Kapia peppers (or any sweet variety)
- 2 young zucchinis, sliced
- 2 large tomatoes, sliced
- Iceberg lettuce leaves (or other lettuce)
- 1 tablespoon PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic Robust
For the Sauce:
- 8 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 3 teaspoons tomato paste
- pickles, chopped (optional)
Instructions:
For the Buns: Cut the buns in half and drizzle with olive oil. Toast on the grill until golden and crispy.
For the Grilled Vegetables: Brush the sliced zucchinis and the sweet peppers with PJ Kabos Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Grill until they are tender and charred. Charring them will add a smoky sweetness to the finished burger.
For the Patties: In a bowl, mix the beef, parsley, red onion, garlic, 1 tablespoon of PJ Kabos Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Dijon mustard, & balsamic vinegar.
Now for the Biker Dude Burger Seasoning and ground pepper...
Mix well and form into four even patties. Brush each patty with additional olive oil. Place the patties on the grill and grill until done, letting the smoky flavors infuse into the meat.
For the Sauce: Combine the mayonnaise with the tomato paste and add chopped pickles if desired (for an extra zest).
To Assemble the Burger:
Spread 1 tablespoon of the sauce on the bottom bun. Layer with grilled pepper slice, lettuce, the cooked beef patty, grilled zucchini, tomato, and finally, cap it with the top bun.
Dive into the bursting flavors of your Grilled Hamburger with Olive Oil. A delight in every bite!
Serving suggestions: French fries of course! But a Greek Salad also goes beautifully with our hamburgers.
Kali Orexi—Happy Eating!
Recipe Video & Hamburger verse Burger
Please see the "Olive Oil Hamburger Recipe & Video" at our sister site, pjkabos.com (under "The Fat Olive), and also read about "Hamburger verses Burger" to discover the difference between the two.
The following PJ Kabos Olive Oils may be used in preparing Olive Oil Hamburgers
PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic—Robust
(Black Bottle)
PJ KABOS Family Reserve Organic - Robust, is an extra virgin olive oil that is very high in polyphenols and adds depth, character and great health benefits to every meal.
PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic—Medium Taste
(White Bottle)
PJ KABOS Family Reserve Organic - Medium, is an extra virgin olive oil that is high in polyphenols and adds a lovely taste and great health benefits to every meal.
PJ Kabos Family Reserve—Medium Taste
(White Tin)
PJ KABOS Family Reserve - Medium, is an extra virgin olive oil in an easy-to-store tin that is high in polyphenols and adds a lovely taste and great health benefits to every meal.
Please enjoy having a look around our websites, pjkabos.com and oliveoil.com, as well as our Amazon Store for more about our many high-phenolic olive oils, recipes, history, etc. And follow along with us on Instagram for photos concerning olive oil production, our groves in Greece, articles about olive oil, family history and more.
PJ Kabos High-Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Your Trusted Oil, Straight from Our Table to Yours.
[1] Menches Bros., “Flipping Burgers with Friends since 1885”. Retrieved June 30, 2024. https://www.menchesbros.com/
[2] Berman, John; Millhon, Drew (February 20, 2007). "A Major Beef! Who Invented the Hamburger?". ABC News. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
