The patty melt is a classic American sandwich, consisting of a hamburger patty served between slices of bread and topped with melted cheese. It’s a delicious comfort food with a satisfying flavor and texture. But where did the patty melt originate? Let’s explore the history and evolution of this tasty sandwich.
History of the Patty Melt
The origins of the patty melt are unclear, but some sources suggest it was created in the early 1900s. During this time, the hamburger was becoming popular in the United States, so creative cooks and restaurants started experimenting with different burger preparations. Adding cheese and grilling the burger likely led to the invention of the patty melt.
Some key milestones in the history of the patty melt:
| 1926 | The patty melt is rumored to have been invented at Louis’ Lunch in New Haven, CT. This is one of the oldest hamburger restaurants in the U.S. |
| 1930s | The patty melt starts showing up on diner and lunch counter menus across the U.S. |
| 1940s | It becomes a staple late night offering at diners that are open 24 hours. |
| 1960s | Fast food chains like McDonald’s create their own versions of the patty melt. |
So while the exact inventor is unknown, the patty melt clearly originated in the early 20th century diner culture of the United States. It quickly became popular as a tasty and filling sandwich option.
Original Patty Melt Recipe
The original patty melt recipe is fairly straightforward:
- Hamburger patty
- Sliced rye or pumpernickel bread
- Melted cheese like Swiss, American, or cheddar
- Fried onions
- Butter for grilling
To make it, you cook a hamburger patty on a griddle or skillet. Slice the bread and butter one side of each slice. Place the patty and cheese on the unbuttered side of one slice. Top with fried onions. Place the buttered side of the second slice on top. Grill the sandwich on both sides until the bread is toasted and the cheese is fully melted.
The original likely used rye bread and Swiss cheese. But over time, many variations of bread, cheese, and additional toppings emerged.
Evolution of the Patty Melt
While the original patty melt was simple, it evolved over decades into an even more crave-worthy sandwich. Here are some of the ways the patty melt changed with the times:
Bread
Rye and pumpernickel breads are still the most popular options. But you can also find patty melts made with slices of sourdough, wheat, white, or even Texas toast. This adds more variety to the flavor and texture of the carb component.
Cheese
Cheese options expanded way beyond Swiss. Now you’ll see patty melts made with cheddar, American, provolone, Monterey jack, and pepper jack. The ooey-gooey melted cheese is one of the best parts of a patty melt, so more cheese choices is always a good thing.
Meat
While traditional patty melts use beef patties, you can also find versions made with ground turkey, chicken, or vegetarian patties. This makes the sandwich accessible for people who don’t eat red meat.
Additional Toppings
Lots of extra toppings and condiments can take the patty melt to the next level. Some popular additions include:
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Caramelized onions
- Thousand island dressing
- Special sauce
- Jalapeños
- Bacon
These extra toppings add layers of flavor and texture that complement the simple base ingredients.
Cooking Method
While frying on a griddle is traditional, you can also find patty melts that are grilled, broiled, or even baked in the oven. Different cooking methods impact the flavor and texture of the bread and cheese.
Regional Variations
The patty melt is served in diners across America, but a few regions have their own twists on the sandwich:
Southern California
In SoCal, patty melts are often served on sliced sourdough versus rye bread. Avocado is also a popular addition.
Wisconsin
Cheese-loving Wisconsinites often use multiple types of cheese like cheddar and Swiss or add in cheese curds.
Philadelphia
Philly patty melts are cooked with fried green peppers and onion. This gives a nod to the city’s iconic Philly cheesesteak sandwich.
Texas
Texas-sized portions mean patty melts are made extra large. A thick slice of Texas toast is the bread of choice.
Pop Culture Appearances
As a nostalgic American classic, the patty melt has made many appearances in pop culture over the decades:
- The patty melt is glorified in the novel American Diner by Richard Gutman.
- In the sitcom The Golden Girls, Sophia Petrillo regularly orders patty melts at the diner.
- The animated show Bob’s Burgers features Louise Belcher’s favorite childhood restaurant that serves patty melts.
- On Cheers, Cliff Clavin’s go-to order is a patty melt with Swiss and grilled onions.
- In the diner scene from Pulp Fiction, “patty melt on rye with hashbrowns” is one of the items on the menu board.
It’s a sandwich that evokes nostalgia of American diners and late nights spent with friends. The patty melt remains iconic decades after its invention.
Nutrition Facts
The patty melt’s nutrition depends on the size and specific ingredients used. But in general, one patty melt made with the following contains:
| Ingredient | Calories |
|---|---|
| 2 slices rye bread | 160 |
| 2 oz beef patty | 180 |
| 1 slice Swiss cheese | 110 |
| 1 tbsp fried onions | 20 |
| 1 tsp butter | 35 |
| Total | 505 |
As you can see, a patty melt is fairly high in calories, fat, and sodium. But as an occasional indulgence, it’s a delicious treat. You can reduce the calorie count by using thin sliced bread, turkey burger, and reduced-fat cheese.
How to Make the Perfect Patty Melt
To make patty melts at home:
- Get good quality bread, at least 1/2 inch thick. Rye or pumpernickel is best.
- Form ground beef into patties slightly wider than the bread.
- Fry onions in butter until caramelized and browned.
- Cook patties about halfway on a hot griddle or skillet.
- Butter the bread slices on one side and place butter-side down onto the griddle.
- Top bread slice with patty, cheese, and onions.
- Place second slice of bread on top, buttered-side up.
- Grill sandwich on medium heat until browned and the cheese is melted.
Be sure to use a heavy pan or press a spatula on top to get it nicely crisp on both sides. The cheese should be fully melted and the onions nicely caramelized.
Where to Enjoy Excellent Patty Melts
While you can make great patty melts at home, diners and restaurants also serve memorable versions. Check out these spots to enjoy an outstanding patty melt:
Louis’ Lunch – New Haven, CT
The birthplace of the patty melt uses freshly ground beef and grills the sandwich to perfection.
The Apple Pan – Los Angeles, CA
This old-school diner serves the patty melt on house-baked white bread with plenty of grilled onions.
Matt’s Bar – Minneapolis, MN
Their Jucy Lucy patty melt contains melted cheese inside the juicy beef patties.
Katz’s Delicatessen – New York City, NY
Get their famous patty melt piled high on triple-decker rye bread.
Patty Melt vs. Cheeseburger
Patty melts and cheeseburgers have similar ingredients, but some key differences:
| Patty Melt | Cheeseburger |
|---|---|
| Grilled sandwich with melted cheese between slices of bread | Burger patty and cheese served on a bun |
| Rye, pumpernickel or sourdough bread | Sesame seed bun or potato roll |
| Swiss, cheddar, American cheese | American, cheddar or blue cheese |
| Fried onions | Fresh onions, lettuce, tomato, etc. |
| Diner staple | Backyard BBQ classic |
The patty melt’s sliced bread, melted cheese, and onions give it a distinct diner sandwich identity. The cheeseburger has a more traditional burger bun and fresh veggie vibe.
Conclusion
The patty melt remains a cherished American sandwich created early in the 20th century. While the original featured rye bread and Swiss, today you can find many interpretations with different cheeses, meats, and toppings. This diner and comfort food favorite provides the satisfying taste of a juicy burger combined with melted cheese and onions between slices of grilled bread. The patty melt’s versatility and nostalgic connections will ensure it remains a menu staple for generations to come.