Published: January 16, 2007 04:14 pm            

Texans need a hamburger helper

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A burger battle is brewing between a Texas state legislator and the owners of a restaurant who claim the hamburger was invented here.

With the new session of the Texas legislature now under way, Republican State Rep. Betty Brown has proposed a resolution declaring Athens, Texas, the original home of the hamburger.

Brown, an Athens resident, says that a long-ago resident of the town had a luncheonette in the late 1880s and sold the first burgers there.

Those claims are not sitting well with Ken Lassen Sr., 89, the third-generation owner of Louis’ Lunch, established in 1895. He says his grandfather came up with the first hamburger there.

Lassen said it happened in 1900 when a man rushed into the restaurant asked for something he could eat on the run. Ken Lassen’s grandfather grabbed a broiled beef patty and put it between two slices of bread.

Mayor John DeStefano Jr., advocating for his city, backs the Lassens and their claims.

“We are even the birthplace of George Bush who wants people to think he’s from Texas,” the mayor said. “So yes, the hamburger is as much a New Haven original as President Bush. Get over it, Texas.”

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.