I discuss burger history and classification a bunch. One topic that comes up rather often is whether or not a Patty Melt is classified as a burger. I’ve always felt that a Patty Melt was a burger. I also think that it’s almost impossible to mess one up. The OFFICIAL ingredients for a Patty Melt are relatively simple: Burger patty, rye bread, Swiss cheese & grilled onions. Patty melts are not just limited to these ingredients, though. Below are two variations of Patty Melts, one being the traditional version and a non-traditional take on the famous sandwich. I can’t say I ever remember eating a bad one anywhere, and I’ve had them in many cities and states. However, I do encounter variations in the cheeses (American cheese, cheddar cheese), the protein (ground turkey), the bread (Sourdough), and even some cheese-encrusted bread. Another thing is that most Patty Melt purists say that the rye bread is only griddled on the flat top, not toasted. The Patty Melt should taste like the child of a great burger & grilled cheese sandwich. Hey, I’m all about that thought!
The patty melt is believed to have been invented sometime in the 1940s in Los Angeles, CA by Tiny Naylor. Traditionally, a patty melt is a cooked burger patty on toasted rye bread with caramelized onions and Swiss cheese.
Cool Patty Melt Associated Fact
The Beastie Boys‘ 1994 album Ill Communication’s cover was from Bruce Davison’s 1964 picture of Tiny Naylor’s for Esquire magazine.
History of the Patty Melt PLUS Patty Melt Recipe
Unlike the burger or cheeseburger, where you’ve got many folks claiming to be the creators, the Patty Melt is a product of California. Tiny Naylor owned a chain of Biff’s Drive-Ins and Tiny Naylor Coffee Shop restaurants from the late 1930s through 1957. It was there that the Patty Melt made its debut.
Naylor put the beef patties between slices of rye bread as a Patty Melt. Although, the credit for this concoction belongs directly to Tiny Naylor’s restaurants in California during the 1950s. The Tiny Naylor passed away in 1959, but his son Biff (the inspiration for the restaurant name) now owns the Du-Par’s chain (with a pretty mean Patty Melt on the menu). His granddaughter Jennifer was a former Executive Chef for Wolfgang Puck. While I haven’t come across the recipe for Tiny Naylor’s original Patty Melt, I did find one for Grampa Tiny’s Patty Melt, which Jennifer served at Wolfgang Puck’s. But, remember, beggars can’t be choosers.
This PATTY MELT SANDWICH was invented in 1940 and is still MIND BLOWING – 0815BBQ – International
FAQ
Who made the first patty melt?
Is a patty melt a Southern thing?
Where did the melt sandwich originate?
Where did the Frisco melt originated?
Who invented the patty melt?
Several culinary writers have suggested that Los Angeles restaurateur Tiny Naylor may have invented the patty melt sometime between 1930 and 1959, depending on the source; it was on the menu at Tiny Naylor’s in the early 1950s.
What is a patty melt?
The patty melt is variously described as a variant of the traditional American cheeseburger, topped with fried onions and served on sliced bread instead of a traditional bun, or as a variant of a grilled cheese that includes a hamburger patty and fried onions.
When did patty melt come out?
The cheese is always topped with caramelized onions. According to Eater Los Angeles, the patty melt was created in 1932 by Tiny Naylor, a Los Angeles restaurateur with a coffee shop in Hollywood that evolved into a restaurant chain. Some sources say the patty melt appeared in the 1940s, while others date it from 1930 to 1959.
How do you make a patty melt?
A classic patty melt is the perfect cross between a hamburger and a grilled cheese sandwich — with caramelized onions and a special sauce! In a medium skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft and golden brown, about 25-30 minutes.