The First Cheeseburger - A Slice of American History

We take the lowly cheeseburger for granted.  In fact, I rarely have just a hamburger.  Without cheese it just feels naked.  An no one want to eat a naked sandwich...just doesn't seem right.

In today's episode I look at the story behind the story of the invention or intervention of one of America's favorite foods.

References:  

Visit Pasadena (https://visitpasadena.com)

The Historical Marker Database (https://hmdb.org)

Transcript

Welcome back to the podcast! Today we’re talking about something simple… something iconic… something that has probably shown up at your table more times than you can count…the cheeseburger.

It’s hard to imagine a world without one. But believe it or not, there was a time when hamburgers came without cheese. So who first had the bold idea to melt a slice of cheese over a hot beef patty?  Well here’s the story behind the story of this delicious intervention.

The hamburger itself became popular in America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Food historians often trace its rise to the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis and to German immigrants bringing Hamburg-style beef to the United States.

By the 1920s, roadside burger stands were popping up across the country. America was on the move. Cars were common. Diners were thriving. Quick, affordable food was in demand…And then… someone added cheese.

Many credit a 16-year-old short-order cook named Lionel Sternberger  in Pasadena, California. (No pun intended on the sound of berger in his name).

In 1924, Sternberger was working at his father’s sandwich shop, the Rite Spot. According to local lore, he decided to place a slice of American cheese on top of a sizzling hamburger as it cooked.  The result? Magic.  The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce later recognized Sternberger as the creator of the cheeseburger, placing a plaque in the city to commemorate the moment.  

Not so fast!  Was he really the first?

But was he really first?

In 1935, a restaurateur named Louis Ballast of the Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver actually trademarked the name “cheeseburger.”  

Ballast even placed a trademark symbol on his menu: “cheeseburger™.”

That doesn’t necessarily prove he invented it — but he was certainly savvy enough to brand it.  So Denver has long claimed the cheeseburger crown as well.

There are additional claims from Louisville, Kentucky and other small diners across America. Like many food inventions, the cheeseburger may not have been a single lightning-bolt moment.  It may have simply been inevitable.

After all, Americans already loved hamburgers. Americans already loved cheese.

It was only a matter of time before someone said, “Why not both?”

 The cheeseburger wasn’t just tasty — it fit the times.

 During the Great Depression, it was affordable and filling. During World War II, it symbolized American culture. In the post-war boom of the 1950s, it became a staple of drive-ins and diners.

 Chains like White Castle helped popularize the hamburger nationwide. Later, companies like McDonald's turned the cheeseburger into a global icon.

 What started as a small experiment became one of the most recognized foods in the world.

 So the next time you unwrap a cheeseburger, take a moment to appreciate the teenage cook — or the savvy drive-in owner — who decided to try something new.

Well friends, there you have it.  A story behind the story from America’s historical signs and markers.  I hope you enjoyed this episode.  I invite you to subscribe and continue listening as we bring more episodes about the rich heritage of our great nation.

 I’m your host Dave Laton and thank you for listening, and safe travels!