National Cheeseburger Day – September 18, 2024

History of National Cheeseburger Day

We have Lionel Sternberger to thank for his invention of gastronomic genius. Sternberger? Well, he certainly had the perfect name for the job.

Anyway, Lionel was 16 years old in 1926, flipping burgers inside his dad’s sandwich shop, the “Rite Spot,” in Pasadena, California.  But, here’s where things get interesting. Consistent with most how-it-got-started stories, there are two versions. In one, Lionel, out of curiosity, added a piece of American cheese onto a hamburger frying on the griddle.  In version two, a homeless passerby saw Lionel working those burgers and suggested adding cheese. Either way, the rest is mouth-watering, delicious history.

Whether you grill your own burgers today or caravan with your crew to everybody’s favorite burger joint,  go hog-wild crazy eating as many toasted, drippingly-good cheeseburgers as your tummy can hold.  So, thanks, Lionel — we wouldn’t be eating cheeseburgers without you!

National Cheeseburger Day Deals

One of the great things about National Cheeseburger Day is that there are always plenty of deals knocking around. We’ve searched the web so you don’t have to. Here’s some of the best deals.

Applebee’s 

Applebee’s are offering a complete Burger Bundle for $8.99. You can choose from any one of their handcrafted burgers and get a fries and soft drink included. All you have to do is select the Burger Bundle option from the menu this Friday.  Participation may vary from location to location. 

Burger King

You can get your cheeseburger fix for as little as $3 at Burger King. Options include a $3 Double Cheeseburger Meal (a double cheeseburger, fries, and drink) or a $3 snack box (cheeseburger, fries, nuggets, and a drink).

Farmer Boys 

Farmer Boys is the place to be between 2pm and 5pm this September 18, as that’s when you’ll be able to enjoy their Big Cheese for just $2. The Big Cheese comes stacked  with a quarter-pound of beef, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, sliced onions, dill pickles and Thousand Island dressing on a sesame seed bun.

Slater’s 50/50

Slater’s 50/50 just made sure that your cheeseburger got even cheesier. On National Cheeseburger Day visitors who order the Best Damn Bacon Cheeseburger will get a free upgrade of a Juicy Lucy patty when using the catchphrase “juicy Lucy” as you order.

O’Charleys 

Between now and Friday September 18 you can dine in at O’Charleys and get a burger and brew for $10. If you don’t fancy a beer, then you choose a soft drink instead.

MOOYAH

On September 18 only, Mooyah locations will be offering a free cheeseburger to all Rewards App members. Purchase fries and a drink and you’ll get to build your own cheeseburger.

Smashburger 

If you live near a Smashburger then get yourself down there on September 18 as they’ll be offering their Classic Smash Double Burger for only $5. That sounds like a good deal to us.

National Cheeseburger Day Recipes

We reached out to chefs and food writers across the country to get some fun, alternative takes on this American classic. Here’s what we found:

District Donut Plate

Louisiana Purchase, San Diego
Finally! Someone has injected donuts into the cheeseburger world. If you’re truly looking to indulge on September 18, check out Chef Quinnton “Q” Austin’s monster of a burger.

It’s a 6 oz. patty seasoned with Cajun spice, sandwiched between the aforementioned glazed donut. Hello? Toppings include bacon strips, a slice of gooey American cheese, and several deep-fried onion rings. This epic burger rests on a bed of house-made potato + duck hash. Can we get a dozen, please?

 

BBQ Bacon-Onion Cheeseburger

Good Cheap Eats (blog)
“Cheeseburgers are one of my very favorite foods to order at a restaurant or cook on the grill,” says food writer Jessica Fisher. “They are the epitome of summertime and cooking out of doors. My favorite combines tender grilled onions with gooey melted cheese. That’s how I order it out; that’s how I make it at home.”

 

Mac Attack Burger

Union Burger Bar, Southampton, NY
Owner Ian Duke: “Chef Scott Kampf and I love burgers. I mean LOVE burgers!  With the closure of a few local restaurants we saw a glaring need not only for a good burger joint, but a place where people could really eat and drink what they love.  That’s what the place is all about — great burgers, hand-cut fries, fried pickles, giant pretzels with beer cheese sauce, decadent milkshakes and a great bourbon selection.”

 

 

Das Bierburger

Wayback Burgers
Wayback Burgers’ new Das Bierburger is made of an all-beef burger patty with sweet Bavarian mustard, beer cheese and crispy French onions. The whole delicious concoction is served on a gourmet, fluffy pretzel bun and topped with a salted pretzel bite.

“We are excited to be bringing a little bit of Oktoberfest back home to the states,” says Patrick Conlin, president of Wayback Burgers. “Das Bierburger is unique, exciting and the perfect way to ring in the fall. I can’t wait to share that taste with our guests! And of course, it pairs perfectly with our new Pub Pretzel Bites.”

 

Cheeseburger Casserole

Healthy Recipes (blog)
Food writer Vered DeLeeuw: “This cheeseburger casserole is one of the most successful recipes on my site, and with good reason! It is deliciously cheesy and decadent, it’s very easy to make, and while it’s great for anyone, it’s perfect for those following a low-carb or a keto diet. 

 

 

Cheeseburger Sub

What Should I Make For…(blog)
Food writer Cathy Roma: “Long sub rolls are split and filled with magical cheeseburger crumble (the cheese is melted right in), topped with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, onion and then doused with sub sauce.They are messy, decadent, and wholly satisfying.”

 

BomboBurger

Bombo Bar, Chicago
The BomboBurger is made with one or two beef patties covered with sharp American cheese and topped with dijonnaise sauce, pickles, and onions. In addition to these common ingredients, the burger is sandwiched between a bomboloni bun. However, even though a bomboloni (Italian holeless doughnut) is usually served as a sweet menu item, this bun is similar to the doughnut using the same dough as a bomboloni — but different, as the sugary flavor is substituted for savory and topped with sesame seeds, providing a noticeable difference in the burger’s flavor.

“As important as the meat and ingredients inside the burger are, the bun to it is just as important,” said Chef Fabio Viviani, who created the BomboBurger. “Our bomboloni dough is unique because of its texture and provides a lighter and fresher substitute to the average, everyday burger bun which adds to the flavor of my BomboBurger.”

Pimento Cheeseburger

Live Oak, Alexandria, Virginia

Pimento cheese ingredients

5 large pimento peppers (or roasted piquillos if necessary)
6 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
0.5 cup duke’s mayonnaise
0.5 tsp house habanero hot sauce (or crystal is a good sub)
0.5 tsp fine sea salt
1 pinch sugar
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 pinch ground white pepper
0.25 tsp smoked paprika
3 oz. chopped pickled red onions
0.5 cups pickling brine
1.5 lbs. sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Preparation

Dice pimento peppers, removing the seeds. Set aside.
Place softened cream cheese and mayonnaise in stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Cream ingredients on medium speed for 2 minutes.
Add house hot sauce, sea salt, sugar, cayenne, white pepper, and smoked paprika.
Allow mixture to come together on low speed, about 1 minute or until all ingredients are incorporated.
Remove bowl from mixer. With a rubber spatula mix in the chopped pickled onions, pickling brine, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Allow the chef to taste the mixture. Place in quart containers with label and date. Refrigerate.

Owner Justus Frank: “It is unique because we make our own brioche bun, serve it with Earth N Eats Farm Salanova butterhead lettuce and tomato, top it with Benton’s Tennessee country bacon, and finally our house-made pimento cheese.”

 

Mac & Cheese Burger

Quaker Steak & Lube (Various locations)

Quaker Steak & Lube? Why, yes! (A play on Quaker State motor oil, we’re guessing.) This burger’s topped with smoky bacon, American and cheddar-Jack cheeses and Quaker Steak’s gooey, savory mac & cheese. Served atop shredded lettuce, tomato, red onion and dill pickle chips.