National Cheeseburger Day

The story

Celebrate the iconic and delectable National Cheeseburger Day on September 18 by sinking your teeth into the history and evolution of this American favorite. The cheeseburger, a mouthwatering variation of the classic hamburger adorned with a slice of cheese, has a fascinating origin dating back to the late 1920s. The credited inventor, 16-year-old Lionel Sternberger, serendipitously introduced the world to the cheeseburger in 1926 while working at his father's sandwich shop, The Rite Spot, in Pasadena, California.

The story goes that Sternberger, out of sheer curiosity, placed a slice of American cheese on a sizzling hamburger, giving birth to this culinary delight. Although the cheeseburger concept is commonly attributed to Sternberger, other establishments across the country claim their stake in its invention. In 1928, Los Angeles' O'Dell's featured a cheeseburger on its menu, while Kaelin's Restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky, asserts that they introduced it in 1934.

The debate over the true birthplace of the cheeseburger persists, with the term officially trademarked by Louis Ballast of Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver in 1935. National Cheeseburger Day is a yearly celebration of this savory creation, tracing its roots to the Roaring Twenties. While the classic cheeseburger consists of a meat patty topped with cheese, variations abound.

Fast-food joints often use processed cheese, but cheddar, mozzarella, Swiss, pepper jack, and blue cheese can also grace your burger. The ensemble of toppings is diverse, including bacon, tomato, pickles, onion, avocado, guacamole, sautéed mushrooms, chili sauce, ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard.