On our great Northeast road trip, the stop at mile 1126 was Louis Lunch, in New Haven, CT. Open since 1895 (although the entire building was moved to the current location) Louis Lunch is the inventor of the hamburger sandwich as we know it today. , Two blocks off the campus of Yale University, they were doing a hearty business on this Thursday, when we rolled in around 1:00.

How do we know they invented the hamburger? Because the Library of Congress declared it so. The menu is simple and the burger comes one way, medium rare, on toast with cheese, tomato and onions.

The tiny joint (seating was at a premium) still uses its original cast-iron grills, which cook the hand-ground patties vertically by blasting them with fire. Want ketchup and mustard? Head to one of the other places that claim to have invented the burger. Here it is served one way, and that’s the way it’s been since they “invented” the burger back in the day, and that’s how it’ll always be.

Also on the menu this day? Maine blueberry pie. I learned about the difference in Maine and other blueberries on this trip – they are smaller and sweeter. And, if they are on the menu in any fashion, they should be ordered.

Sweet before savory, for a change-up, the pie was the perfect preface to this burger. Which was very much worth the wait. Just beyond medium rare (and without onions, for me) and piping hot from the grill, it fueled our drive for the afternoon.