Louis’ Lunch (1895) New Haven, Conn.
In 1900, Louis created the first “hamburger sandwich.” This is a hand-formed patty sandwiched between toast and cheese. Burgers are cooked on the original 1898 cast iron grill.
Buckhorn Exchange (1893) Denver
Henry “Shorty Scout” Zietz was a buckhorn in an era when ranchers, miners, railroad workers, silver barons, Indian chiefs, castaways, and businessmen all ate under his one roof. Opened an exchange. The restaurant was the first in Colorado to receive a liquor license, and the menu remains largely unchanged to this day.
McGillin’s Olde Ale House (1860) Philadelphia
McGillins is Philadelphia’s oldest continuously operating restaurant and tavern, opening the same year Lincoln was elected. The place was originally called Bell in Hand, but patrons now call it McGillins, after the owner, William McGillins.
Breitbach’s Country Dining (1852) Balltown, Iowa
Breitbach is Iowa’s oldest restaurant, founded in Balltown in 1852 with the permission of President Millard Fillmore. Employee Jacob his Breitbach purchased the restaurant from his original owner in 1862 and has been run by his family ever since.
Tadich Grill (1849) San Francisco
Tadic Grill originally opened as a coffee stand and has been a full-service restaurant since employee John Tadic bought it in 1887. The restaurant is making a claim that they were the first in the United States to grill seafood over mesquite charcoal.
Antione’s Restaurant (1840) New Orleans
Antoine’s has been serving authentic Louisiana Creole cuisine since it opened in 1840. The restaurant was founded by Antoine Alcatore and has been run by his family ever since, making it the oldest family-run restaurant in the country.
Union Oyster House (1826) Boston
The original name of the restaurant was He Atwood and Bacon Oyster House, but it was soon changed to Union Oyster House. Restaurant claim toothpicks have become popular here after a businessman imported toothpicks from South America, hired an avid Harvard student to dine at the Union Oyster House, and demanded a handy tooth-cleaning tool.
Griswold Inn (1776) Essex, Conn.
This restaurant and inn were founded by him in 1776 to provide food and lodging for shipyard workers building ships for war. Griswold had a lot of famous historian guests such as George Washington, Mark Twain, Albert Einstein, and Katherine Hepburn.
Fraunces Tavern (1762) New York City
Fraunces Tavern was a frequent haunt of the Sons of Liberty before the American Revolution. Perhaps the most famous historical event that took place at the restaurant was on the night of December 4, 1783, when the tavern hosted a celebratory dinner after George Washington and his army drove the British out of New York.
White Horse Tavern (1673) Newport, R.I.
White Horse Tavern predates his 1673 but did not open as a tavern and restaurant until the year William Mays purchased the property. The name ‘White Horse Tavern’ didn’t exist until 1730 when Jonathan Nichols bought the restaurant and renamed it.
