Louis' Lunch

Louis' Lunch traces its story to 1895, when Louis Lassen started a lunch wagon in New Haven, and the Library of Congress credits it as the home of the hamburger sandwich. The family is now in its fourth generation, and the burger is still made from a blend of fresh-ground beef cuts, cooked vertically on cast-iron broilers dating to 1898.

There is one burger, served on white toast with optional cheese, onion and tomato. Do not ask for ketchup; it is not offered. Potato salad stands in for fries. The shop traditionally closes for part of August, so check before you plan a trip around it.