The Juicy Lucy burger, sometimes spelled “Jucy Lucy”, is a cheeseburger that has the cheese inside the meat patty rather than on top. Biting into a Juicy Lucy results in hot melted cheese oozing out, which is how it got its name. But who exactly invented this cheesy, delicious burger? There are a few different claims about the original creator of the Juicy Lucy. Let’s explore the possible origins stories behind this iconic burger.
Matt’s Bar in Minneapolis
One of the most well-known claims is that the Juicy Lucy was invented in 1954 at Matt’s Bar in south Minneapolis, Minnesota. According to Matt’s Bar, they created the burger by accident when a customer requested a cheeseburger but the cook inadvertently put the cheese inside the patty instead of on top. The customer loved it and the Juicy Lucy was born.
Matt’s Bar says that for years they were the only ones serving the distinctive burger. Their version is spelled “Jucy Lucy” and has American cheese melted inside a fresh beef patty. The burger became very popular with locals and began attracting widespread attention. By the 1980s Matt’s was nationally recognized for their Jucy Lucy burger.
Matt’s Bar has photos on their walls showing the evolution of their burger over the decades. They claim to be the “home of the original Jucy Lucy.” Matt’s continues to serve their famous Jucy Lucy burgers today over 60 years later.
The 5-8 Club in Minneapolis
Another Minneapolis establishment, the 5-8 Club, also claims to have invented the Juicy Lucy around 1954. Their story is that a customer asked for two hamburger patties with a slice of cheese in the middle. The 5-8 Club says they honored the request and the cheeseburger sandwich was such a hit that it evolved into the Juicy Lucy burger made famous today.
The 5-8 Club has been serving Juicy Lucys since the 1950s. Their version is spelled “Juicy Lucy” and has American cheese melted between the beef patties. They argue that the name indicates they were the first, since Matt’s Bar later adapted the name to “Jucy Lucy.” The 5-8 Club continues to serve the original Juicy Lucy to loyal customers today.
So in Minneapolis, two popular bars with over 50 years of history both claim to have invented the Juicy Lucy in the 1950s. The debate over who was the original creator continues to divide burger fans.
Other Origin Theories
Beyond Minneapolis, there are some other claims about inventing the Juicy Lucy burger:
Wisconsin
One story credits the Juicy Lucy to western Wisconsin in the early 1900s. According to this legend, pubs in the mining and logging towns of northern Wisconsin sandwiches would put cheese inside burgers to satisfy hungry workers. The burgers were dubbed “Juicy Lucys” for the hot melted cheese oozing out when bitten into. This theory claims the burger originated in Wisconsin over 50 years before the Minneapolis bars took credit. However, there is no documented proof to support these early Juicy Lucy claims.
Michigan
There’s a claim that the Juicy Lucy was first created in the 1950s at a place called South Lyon Hotel Bar in South Lyon, Michigan. According to this story, a bartender put cheese inside burgers to help hold the patties together better. Customers loved the melted cheese and the burger took off in popularity. Again, there’s no hard evidence that South Lyon Hotel Bar invented the Juicy Lucy.
Ohio
Believe it or not, another claim says the Juicy Lucy has its roots in Ohio. According to this account, the burger was created in the 1930s by a small hamburger stand in Portsmouth, Ohio run by a woman named Lucy. Lucy allegedly came up with the idea to put cheese inside burgers rather than just on top. The burgers were dubbed “Lucy’s Juicy Burgers” and later shortened to “Juicy Lucys.” However, no documentation exists to verify Lucy’s Juicy Burgers in Portsmouth.
California
Finally, there’s a story that a Juicy Lucy-style burger was served during the 1930s in Hollywood, California at a restaurant called Little Lucy’s Burgers. As the legend goes, Little Lucy came up with the concept of filled burgers and her “Little Lucy Burgers” inspired other versions like the Juicy Lucy. But again, there’s no evidence to confirm Little Lucy’s Burgers actually existed.
Who Really Invented the Juicy Lucy?
With so many claims about inventing the Juicy Lucy, it’s hard to know precisely where and when it originated. The various stories can’t be definitively proven or disproven. However, the Minneapolis bars Matt’s Bar and 5-8 Club have the strongest cases when it comes to credible history behind creating the iconic burger.
Key facts supporting Matt’s Bar and 5-8 Club’s claims:
– Both bars have documentation showing they have served the Juicy Lucy since the 1950s. The burger has been integral to their menus for over 60 years.
– Local Minneapolis newspaper ads and reviews during the 1960s and 70s discuss the Juicy Lucy burgers at Matt’s and 5-8 Club as well-known local menu items.
– National press coverage in the 1980s surfaces the debate between Matt’s and 5-8 Club over which bar first put the cheese inside the burger patty.
– No documentation has emerged to validate the other origin claims in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio or California. The Minneapolis bars are the only ones with proof of historically serving the burger.
Based on currently available evidence, the likely conclusion is that either Matt’s Bar or 5-8 Club invented the very first Juicy Lucy burger in Minneapolis in the 1950s. They may have even come up with the concept around the same time independently. Until more definitive proof arises, the origin story gives credit to these two iconic Minneapolis establishments for creating one of the most crave-worthy burgers of all time.
The Juicy Lucy Today
While the exact inventor may be disputed, the legacy of the Juicy Lucy burger is undeniable. In the over 60 years since its creation in Minneapolis, the concept has spread across the country with many restaurants putting their own spin on the cheese-filled burger.
Here are some key milestones in the Juicy Lucy’s rise to fame:
1960s-1970s
– Matt’s Bar and 5-8 Club establish the Juicy Lucy burger as a popular menu item in Minneapolis and earn local press coverage.
1980s
– Nationwide attention grows as Matt’s and 5-8 Club are featured in national newspaper stories debating their claims to have invented the Juicy Lucy.
– Other Minneapolis restaurants start offering their own Juicy Lucy burgers to compete, adding to the craze.
1990s
– Celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern features the Juicy Lucy on his Minneapolis food tour, introducing it to wider audiences.
– The Food Network calls out Matt’s Bar and their Jucy Lucy burger on national TV.
2000s
– Food bloggers discover the Juicy Lucy and spotlight it online, spreading popularity on the web.
– Thrillist names it one of the 33 best burgers in America.
2010s
– Juicy Lucy burgers go mainstream as nationwide chains like BW3 and Steak ‘n Shake add it to their menus.
– Food websites rank the top spots for Juicy Lucy burgers across the U.S.
2020s
– Juicy Lucy burgers explode in popularity with over 50 restaurants in the Minneapolis area alone featuring their take on the cheesy burger.
– National acclaim continues as Food & Wine magazine calls it “America’s Most Legendary Burger.”
Thanks to its mouthwatering cheese-filled goodness, the Juicy Lucy has secured its place as an iconic American burger. The unique burger invented at a small Minneapolis bar over 60 years ago continues to satisfy cheeseburger cravings today. Wherever you can find a Juicy Lucy burger, just be ready for hot melted cheese to come oozing out with the first bite.
Interesting Facts About the Juicy Lucy
Beyond the origin debate, the Juicy Lucy has some other fascinating stories and fun facts:
– Until the rise of the Juicy Lucy, most burgers had the cheese only on top rather than inside. The filled burger concept was unique.
– Both Matt’s Bar and 5-8 Club claim to have come up with the name “Juicy Lucy.” Originally it may have been just referred to as a cheeseburger or filled burger.
– To prevent cheese leaks while cooking, most Juicy Lucy burgers are pressed very thin. Typical patties are around 1/4 pound in size.
– Traditionally, slices of American cheese are used in Juicy Lucy burgers for the gooey melted texture.
– To keep hot cheese contained on the inside, Juicy Lucy patties are hand-pinched around the edges to seal in the cheese filling.
– Hot cheese squirting out when you bite into a Juicy Lucy is part of the fun! Some claim you haven’t experienced it properly until you’ve had a cheese burn.
– The longest running burger debate in Minneapolis is whether Matt’s Bar or 5-8 Club had the original Juicy Lucy. Local residents often have strong opinions.
– Juicy Lucy burgers have inspired poetry, art, musical parodies and endless social media posts from passionate fans.
– There’s an official Juicy Lucy Day on May 13th to celebrate the cheesy burger. It was proclaimed by the state of Minnesota in 2016.
– Cooking competitions have emerged for amateur and pro chefs to showcase their best Juicy Lucy recipes.
– Some restaurants offer creative twists on the classic like Juicy Lucys with bacon, salsa or jalapeños inside.
– Juicy Lucy burgers are typically eaten as-is, without any extra toppings needed on top. The filled cheese adds all the flavor you need.
– Contests have recorded the most Juicy Lucys eaten in a single sitting is 8 burgers in 10 minutes.
– A masked food blogger called “Juicy Lucy” reviews and ranks every filled cheeseburger in Minneapolis. Their identity remains unknown.
– The melted cheese inside makes Juicy Lucys extra messy to eat. Having napkins ready is advised!
The iconic Juicy Lucy burger certainly has a rich history and culture surrounding it. The tales of its origin may never be fully resolved, but it continues satisfying cheeseburger cravings today.
The Best Juicy Lucy Burgers
Fans passionate about sink their teeth into oozing cheese may debate the best Juicy Lucy burger recipe forever. But a few key establishments stand out that any burger aficionado needs to try:
Matt’s Bar – Minneapolis, MN
As one of the two bars that claims to have invented the burger in the 1950s, Matt’s Bar remains a pilgrimage site for Juicy Lucy devotees. Their thin crispy patties sealed around American cheese are the stuff of legend. Matt’s Bar stuffs their Jucy Lucys (spelled with a “c”) full of cheese so expect scalding hot ooze!
5-8 Club – Minneapolis, MN
If you believe the 5-8 Club has the original Juicy Lucy (spelled with a “c”), then their classic version is a required taste test. Their flavorful patties with molten cheese centers have satisfied customers since the 1950s. Try their Juicy Lucy and decide if it’s better than Matt’s.
The Nook – St. Paul, MN
For a local spin, check out the Juicy Nookie at The Nook in St. Paul. They stuff cheese inside a hand-pressed patty of ground prime rib for a real Minnesota treat. Get ready for tender beefy flavor combined with gooey cheese.
BQ Tap House – St. Louis Park, MN
Minneapolis suburb St. Louis Park stakes its claim with the Juicy Snoopy at BQ Tap House. It combines the cheese-filled patty with a house-made peanut butter bacon jam for a creative sweet and savory flavor combo.
Holla Brewing Co. – Shakopee, MN
Southwest of Minneapolis in Shakopee, Holla Brewing Co. serves up The Big Juicy. Their 1/2 pound patty is filled with both pepper jack cheese and an onion ring for maximum juiciness.
Gold Cash Gold – Las Vegas, NV
On the Las Vegas strip, Gold Cash Gold offers a delicious Juicy Lucy with crispy bacon slices added into the cheese-stuffed patty. Sin City puts its own spin on this classic Minneapolis burger.
Sugar Shack – Milwaukee, WI
Up in Wisconsin, Sugar Shack mixes things up with their Crazy Cheese Lucy burger. Pepper jack and aged cheddar cheese are molded into a cylinder inside the patty for next-level cheesy juiciness.
Brewbachers – Ocean City, MD
Out on the east coast, Brewbachers serves their take on the Lucy Liu burger. A custom blend of cheeses oozes out of the sirloin patty to delight cheesy burger fans on the Maryland shore.
There are certainly endless great versions of the iconic Juicy Lucy burger to sample across the country. Wherever your travels take you, keep your eye out for restaurants putting their own local spin on this classic cheeseburger creation.
How to Make Your Own Juicy Lucy Burgers
Once you taste test some authentic Juicy Lucy cheeseburgers at famous restaurants, you may be inspired to recreate the experience at home. Here is a basic recipe to try making your own:
Ingredients:
| 1 lb | Ground beef (80/20 or 75/25 blend) |
| 8 oz | American Cheese, sliced |
| 1 Tbsp | Worchestershire sauce |
| 1 tsp | Kosher salt |
| 1/2 tsp | Freshly ground black pepper |
| 4 | Hamburger buns |
| Toppings | Lettuce, tomato, onion etc. |
Instructions:
1. Divide beef into four even 1/4 lb patties. Make an indentation in the middle of each patty.
2. Add 1-2 slices American cheese to each patty, covering the indentation.
3. Seal edges by pinching meat around cheese. Flatten patties until about 1/2-inch thick.
4. Season patties with Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.
5. Grill burgers over high heat 3-5 minutes per side, until cooked through.
6. Serve on buns and add any desired toppings.
7. Bite cautiously and enjoy the molten cheese!
Making your own Juicy Lucy burgers at home can be tricky, but so worth it when you bite into the hot oozing cheese. Adjust the recipe to your taste by trying different cheeses, meat blends, and fillings inside. Just seal the patties carefully so that delicious filling stays locked in!
Conclusion
The Juicy Lucy cheeseburger has come a long way from a small Minneapolis bar in the 1950s to a nationwide sensation today. While its exact origin may never be undisputed, one thing is certain – sinking your teeth into a piping hot burger filled with melted cheese is an iconic American food experience. The next time a craving strikes for an extra juicy cheeseburger, seek out an authentic Juicy Lucy or Jucy Lucy. Take a big crunchy bite and let the warm bubbly cheese flow!