National Burger Day

National Burger Day History

National Burger Day is a day of appreciation for hamburgers. The term hamburger is derived from the city of Hamburg, Germany, where beef from Hamburg cows was minced and formed into patties to make Hamburg steaks.

The origin of the hamburger in the United States remains debated, although most claim that the hamburger originated between 1880 and 1900. Since then, this beef patty in a bun has become a global staple of the fast-food diet and the backyard cookout. In recent years, these traditional beef patties have been transformed to include other meat and vegetarian options such as bison, ostrich, deer, chicken, turkey, veggies, tofu, and bean patties. National Hamburger Day is observed annually on May 28th.

Top 10 Facts for National Burger Day in 2026

• See below for interesting facts regarding the upcoming May 28, 2026 observance of National Burger Day, also known as National Hamburger Day.
  
  While the specific origins are heavily debated, one prominent claim trace the dish's creation to Louis' Lunch in 1900, where Louis Lassen reportedly served a steak sandwich between two slices of toast for a customer in a hurry.
• During World War I, the United States briefly attempted to rename the hamburger to a Liberty Sandwich to avoid association with the German city of Hamburg.
• The world record for the largest burger ever created was set in Flensburg, Germany, where a massive patty weighed approximately 2,014 pounds and required a crane for assembly.
• One of the most expensive burgers in existence is the FleurBurger 5000, served at the Fleur de Lys in Las Vegas, which features Wagyu beef, foie gras, and black truffles.
• In popular culture, the most famous fictional burger is arguably the Krabby Patty from the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants, which is kept under lock and key to protect its secret formula.
• The Big Kahuna Burger became a cult icon after its appearance in the film Pulp Fiction, leading to various real-world recreations of the fictional Hawaiian-themed chain.
• Artist Andy Warhol famously explored the intersection of food and consumerism in his four-minute film Hamburger, which depicts him eating a burger from Burger King in a single, unedited shot.
• In the United Kingdom, a separate observance of National Burger Day occurs in late August, having been founded by the digital publication Mr. Hyde to boost restaurant attendance before the bank holiday.
• Americans consume an estimated 50 billion burgers annually, a statistic that equates to the average citizen eating roughly three burgers every week.
• Historical records suggest that the hamburger gained its first major wave of national popularity at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, where it was marketed as an innovative food for visitors on the move.

In the News and Trending in the US for National Burger Day

Top things to do in the US for National Burger Day

• Host a backyard burger barbecue to celebrate the National Burger Day.
• Try making burgers with alternative toppings. Some of our favorites are:
  1) Mac & Cheese
  2) Avocado
  3) Peanut Butter
  4) Sunny Side-Up Egg
  5) French Fries
• Attend a burger festival. Here are some festivals to consider:
  1) National Hamburger Festival, Akron, Ohio
  2) Burger Fest, Hamburg, New York
  3) Denver Burger Battle, Denver, Colorado
  4) Taste of Hamburger Festival, Hamburg, PA
  5) Sacramento Burger Battle, Sacramento, California
• For a healthier and nutritious take on the traditional burger, try a veggie burger. Here are some suggestions for a veggie burger patty:
  1) Middle Eastern Falafel burger patty made from fava beans and chickpeas. Spices such as garlic, scallions, cumin and coriander can also be added.
  2) Lentil and mushroom burger patty made from a combination of lentils, mushrooms, carrots, breadcrumbs and spices.
  3) Black bean burger patty made from black beans and spices such as oregano, chili powder and lime juice.
  4) Lentil and barley patty made from lentils, barley, breadcrumbs and spices including cumin, oregano, chili powder, black pepper and dry garlic powder.
• Take up the challenge to create a healthy burger meal. Some options include to replace burger toppings with broccoli and cheese, and replacing potato fries with baked sweet potatoes or replacing the bun with lettuce.