The Juicy Lucy is a popular burger originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota that has cheese melted inside the meat patty. This oozing hot cheese center is where it gets the name “Juicy Lucy” from. But why is this burger, with its unique cheese-stuffed patty, called specifically a “Juicy Lucy”? Let’s take a closer look at the history and origins of this iconic burger to understand where the name came from.
The Invention of the Juicy Lucy
The Juicy Lucy was invented in 1954 in Minneapolis. There are two different origin stories around who exactly invented it:
- According to one story, a bar in Minneapolis called Matt’s Bar came up with the idea. Apparently a customer asked for two hamburger patties with a slice of cheese in between. The cook had the idea to seal the cheese inside the patties so it would melt, and the Juicy Lucy was born.
- The other story credits another Minneapolis bar called the 5-8 Club with inventing the burger. As the story goes, a hungry customer came in one night and asked for a burger with a lot of cheese. The cook put cheese inside the meat patties, and called it a Juicy Lucy.
So while the exact inventor may be disputed, it’s clear the Juicy Lucy originated in the Minneapolis area in the 1950s. The name is believed to have come about because when you bite into the burger, hot melted cheese gushes out or “juices” out – thus “Juicy Lucy.”
Popularity and Variations
The Juicy Lucy grew famous and popular in the local Minneapolis bar scene throughout the 1950s and 60s. It gained wider attention when it started being featured on “best burgers in America” lists in the 1990s and 2000s.
Today it’s an iconic burger across Minneapolis, but has also spread to become popular in other parts of the Midwest. Many bars serve their own take on the classic Juicy Lucy. There are now many variations that use different cheese or meats, like cheddar, pepper jack, bleu cheese, bacon, ham, or sausage.
Common Types of Juicy Lucys
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Classic | American cheese inside beef patties |
| Pepper Jack | Pepper jack cheese inside beef patties |
| Bacon Cheddar | Cheddar and bacon inside beef patties |
| Bleu Cheese | Crumbled bleu cheese inside beef patties |
| Jucy Lucy | Mozzarella or cheddar inside chicken patties |
Juicy Lucy in Pop Culture
The Juicy Lucy has made its way into pop culture as it has gained fame over the decades. Here are a few fun examples of Juicy Lucys in movies, TV shows, music, and more:
- In the Disney Pixar movie Inside Out, the character Anger is seen eating a Juicy Lucy burger.
- On a season 4 episode of Man v. Food, host Adam Richman visits Minneapolis and tries a Juicy Lucy.
- The Juicy Lucy was featured in a song called “Juicy Lucy” by Minneapolis rock band The Gear Daddies.
- Professional wrestler Brock Lesnar, who is from Minnesota, used to use a Juicy Lucy burger flip as his signature move.
- There is a location-based augmented reality mobile game called “Jucy Lucy GO” that involves finding and collecting virtual Juicy Lucys around Minneapolis.
The Juicy Lucy has clearly made its mark, and continues to have an important place in Minneapolis culture and identity. It’s frequently discussed in articles and shows about Minnesota food. Several restaurants around the US have also added the burger to their menus to pay homage.
Why “Juicy Lucy” Works as a Name
The name “Juicy Lucy” is memorable, fun, and descriptive. Here’s why it’s such an effective name for this cheese-oozing burger:
- Alliteration – The repetition of the “ju” sound at the beginning of both words makes it catchy.
- Vivid imagery – “Juicy” immediately makes you think of the hot melted cheese pouring out.
- Personification – Lucy gives the burger a personality, like she has a cheesy secret inside her.
- Regional pride – The name has become tied to Minneapolis identity.
- Easy to say – It’s a short name that rolls off the tongue easily.
In summary, the alliteration makes it distinctive and memorable. “Juicy” captures the essence of the burger. “Lucy” is a friendly, approachable name that personifies the burger. The combination just works perfectly to create a fun, sticky, food-craze inducing name.
Famous Juicy Lucy Locations
While Juicy Lucys can now be found in restaurants across the country, these Minneapolis bars and restaurants are famous for serving the original and classic Juicy Lucy:
Matt’s Bar
This iconic dive bar is where the Juicy Lucy was allegedly invented. They serve a classic Juicy Lucy as well as other variations like the Double Lucy, the Triple Lucy, and the Jucy Lucy. Matt’s Bar has a total “no-frills” vibe and is all about the burger.
The 5-8 Club
The 5-8 Club claims to be the birthplace of the Juicy Lucy. They serve the original along with other popular versions. This club is a bit more upscale with a vintage supper club atmosphere.
Blue Door Pub
Blue Door Pub puts its own spin on the Juicy Lucy by using artisanal ingredients like brie cheese. This gourmet burger spot makes many eclectic Juicy Lucy options.
Ted Cook’s 19th Hole Bar
This family-owned neighborhood bar has a long history and serves a bacon cheese Juicy Lucy called the “Billy Goat”. Their classic Lucy is also very popular.
The Nook
The Nook does a Cajun seasoned Juicy Lucy with melted pepper jack inside. They’re known for great burgers and their rustic, always-crowded bar environment.
How to Make Your Own Juicy Lucy
Want to try making these famous oozing burgers at home? Here is a simple recipe to make your own Minneapolis-style Juicy Lucys:
Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs ground beef chuck (80/20 lean/fat ratio)
- 8 oz sliced cheese (American, cheddar, pepper jack etc)
- burger buns
- seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder
- oil for cooking
- toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion (optional)
Instructions:
- Separate beef into eight 2-oz balls. Use your hands to flatten into thin patties.
- Place a cheese slice on 4 of the patties. Top with another beef patty and pinch edges to seal cheese inside.
- Season the outside of patties with salt, pepper, garlic powder and other spices.
- Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook patties 3-4 minutes per side until browned and cooked to desired doneness.
- Let patties rest 5 minutes before serving. The cheese should be fully melted inside.
- Serve on buns and add any optional toppings you like!
Be careful when you bite in, as hot cheese will gush out! Now you can enjoy this Minneapolis specialty in the comfort of your own home. Let us know if your homemade Juicy Lucy lives up to the original!
Conclusion
The Juicy Lucy is an iconic American burger that originated right in Minneapolis in the 1950s. This cheeseburger variant features melted cheese sealed inside the meat patty, creating an ooey-gooey, cheese-filled center. While the exact inventor is disputed, the recipe clearly originated in the dive bars of Minneapolis and gained fame over the decades to become a renowned regional specialty. The name “Juicy Lucy” perfectly captures the essence of this dripping, delicious burger, and its popularity continues today both in Minnesota and across the country. So next time you bite into a hot cheese-stuffed burger, appreciate the history behind the deliciously juicy Juicy Lucy!