National Hamburger Day is on Friday, May 28, 2027, and it falls on May 28 every year. It celebrates America’s favorite sandwich: a grilled beef patty on a bun, dressed however you like. Many burger chains mark the day with deals, so check their apps.
When Is National Hamburger Day?
It’s always May 28. It’s an unofficial food day, and it lands right around the start of grilling season. May is also often promoted as National Hamburger Month.
Who Started National Hamburger Day?
No founder or start year has been documented.
Who invented the hamburger?
Nobody can say for certain, and several towns claim the honor. German immigrants from Hamburg brought the “Hamburg steak” to the U.S., which paved the way. Here are the best-known claims, as summarized by Tasting Table:
- Charlie Nagreen, Seymour, Wisconsin: said to have flattened meatballs between bread at a county fair as early as 1884.
- Frank and Charles Menches: said to have swapped in ground beef after running out of pork sausage at the 1885 Erie County Fair.
- Fletcher Davis, Athens, Texas: Texas named him the hamburger’s originator in a 2007 resolution, citing patties he sold in the late 1880s.
- Oscar Weber Bilby, Oklahoma: said to have grilled ground beef on yeast buns around the same time; Oklahoma’s governor backed the claim in 1995.
- Louis Lassen, New Haven, Connecticut: credited with serving broiled ground beef between toast to a hurried customer in 1900.
The Library of Congress recorded that Lassen “served the first American hamburger,” Connecticut History notes. His family’s restaurant, Louis’ Lunch, still uses a broiler dated 1895.
Why Celebrate the Hamburger?
Few foods are as American, or as adaptable. Burgers star at backyard cookouts, diners, ballparks and fine restaurants. The day celebrates every style, from smash burgers to plant-based patties.
Cook burgers safely
Ground beef should reach 160°F, the USDA says. Color isn’t a reliable test, so use a food thermometer in the thickest part of the patty.
How to Celebrate National Hamburger Day
- Make smash burgers: press balls of beef thin on a very hot griddle for crispy edges.
- Don’t overwork the meat: shape patties gently and press a dimple in the center so they stay flat.
- Toast the buns: a toasted bun holds up to juices and toppings.
- Try a regional style: a green chile burger, a slugburger or an olive burger.
- Visit a local burger joint: support a family-run diner.
- Grab a deal: check chain apps for National Hamburger Day promotions.
- Go plant-based: try a veggie or bean burger for a change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should a hamburger be cooked to?
The USDA says ground beef should reach 160°F. Check with a food thermometer rather than relying on color.
Why is it called a hamburger if it has no ham?
The name comes from Hamburg, Germany, home of the “Hamburg steak” that immigrants brought to the U.S.
Where is Louis’ Lunch?
In New Haven, Connecticut. The restaurant still serves its burgers on toasted bread rather than a bun.