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The Debunker: Did Hamburgers Originate in Hamburg?

by Ken Jennings

Ah, July, season of the backyard barbecue. If you're a vegetarian, we'll throw some kind of veggie burger on the grill and quietly pity you, but for most of us in the summer, meat is where it's at. But how much do you actually know about the flesh of the dead animals that you're consuming? Jeopardy!'s Ken Jennings is here all month to chew the fat with us about some particularly stubborn meat misconceptions. Are you ready to work on your protein proficiency? Let's see what Ken's cooked up today.

The Debunker: Did Hamburgers Originate in Hamburg?

Here are some things that originated in Hamburg: Christmas wreaths, the Beatles' stage show, the luxury cruise ship, Angela Merkel. And here is one thing that did not originate in Hamburg: the hamburger. That's right: the hamburger was never eaten in the northern German city for which it's named—not until Americans brought it over in the 20th century, that is.

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But it's true that without Hamburg, there probably wouldn't have been a sandwich to bring back. Three centuries ago, Hamburgers (the people, not the sandwiches) were already fans of minced beef pressed into patties, similar to what we call "Salisbury steak" today. Hamburg was a seaport town, and this dish may have been influenced by Russian sailors who loved steak tartare. In any case, the low-cost entrée became a regional specialty.

When German immigration to the United States boomed in the 19th century, America big-city restaurants began to feature "Hamburg steak" on their menus. Delmonico's in New York claims to have been serving one as early as 1834, but the provenance of their evidence is a little iffy. The killer app for Hamburg steak— the bun —didn't appear until the end of the century, when lunch wagons began serving Hamburg steaks on bread for factory workers grabbing a quick bite. The hamburger was born.

Today in Hamburg, you can still order Hamburg steak, but no one there calls it that. On menus it's Frikadelle (a French borrowing) or Bulette (an Italian one). But I salute you, Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, for first getting the ball rolling! You may not have invented the modern burger, but no one can deny that you were Hamburger helpers.

Quick Quiz: Hamburg is Europe's second busiest port. What Dutch port—once the world's largest—is busier?

Ken Jennings is the author of six books, most recently his Junior Genius Guides, Because I Said So!, and Maphead. He's also the proud owner of an underwhelming Bag o' Crap. Follow him at ken-jennings.com or on Twitter as @KenJennings.