No one can deny the hamburger is quintessentially American. But did you know it actually got its start in Europe? At least its name did.
Despite that, some food historians believe the first burger was actually created in America. They believe German immigrants in New York in the 1800s may have made the prototype of what we now call a hamburger.
Ten Fun Facts about Hamburgers
While people may disagree about the burger’s origins, no one can deny its popularity. Here are ten fun facts about our beloved burger:
• Americans consume 13 billion hamburgers annually. This is estimated to be enough burgers to circle the earth 32 times.
• Hamburgers got their name from Hamburg, Germany, where a cut of beef called the Hamburg steak is from.
• During World War I, the United States government tried to rename hamburgers liberty sandwiches.
• In 1921, short-order cook Walter Anderson and insurance executive E.W. Ingram founded White Castle, the oldest burger chain, in Wichita, Kansas. Their first burger sold for a nickel.
• The Big Mac was introduced in 1968 and sold for 49 cents.
• The New York City Food Truck 666 Burger offers a $666 burger. It’s made with a Kobe beef patty wrapped in gold leaf, foie gras, caviar, lobster, truffles, Gruyere cheese melted in champagne steam, and Himalayan rock salt.
• Black Bear Resort Casino in Minnesota holds the world record for the biggest burger. It weighs in at 2,014 pounds and is 10 feet in diameter.
• PETA once offered the town of Hamburg, NY $15,000 to change their name to Veggieburg.
• On average, Americans eat three burgers a week.
• The Hamburger Hall of Fame is located in Seymour, Wisconsin.
At Melt, we believe there’s a burger for every taste. We hope to see you soon so you can discover your favorite!
