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Patty melt

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Patty melt
Patty melt
TypeSandwich
Place of originUnited States
Serving temperatureHot
Main ingredientsRye bread, hamburger patty, grilled onions, North American-style Swiss cheese
VariationsSourdough bread, Texas toast, Thousand Island dressing, American cheese

A patty melt is an American grilled sandwich consisting of a ground beef patty with melted cheese (traditionally Swiss cheese) and often topped with caramelized onions between two slices of griddled bread (typically caraway-seeded rye or marbled rye, though sourdough or Texas toast are sometimes substituted in some regions, including the Southern U.S.)[1][2] It is typically made without condiments or garnishes.[3]

Description and ingredients

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.[1][4][5] Like a grilled cheese, the patty melt maintains its structural integrity when eaten, as all ingredients are grilled at the same time and assembled while still hot, which melds the grilled bread, hamburger patty, cheese, and onions into a single unit that doesn't fall apart while being eaten.[1]

History and origins

Sandwiches calling for hamburger patties to be placed into two slices of bread, rather that into a bun, date to the mid-1800s and referred to as hamburger sandwiches.[6] It is unclear when the patty melt was invented, but it was most likely the mid-20th century, either during the Great Depression or the postwar economic boom. 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;[7][8][9] it was on the menu at Tiny Naylor's in the early 1950s.[10] Even if Naylor did not invent the sandwich, it is agreed that he and his family helped popularize the sandwich in their restaurants and in restaurants where they worked, which included Tiny Naylor's, Du-par's, and Wolfgang Puck's Granita.[11]

Popularity

According to New York Times food writer Pete Wells, the sandwich is "virtually unknown" outside of the United States; Wells theorizes that it's the amount of space on a flattop grill required to grill onions, patty, and bread at the same time that has restricted its appeal outside of typical short-order restaurants.[1] It is typically on the menu of diners, coffee shops, and lunch counters, but in the early 2020s it started to appear onto some upscale menus.[1]

Home cooking

Home cooks typically make patty melts in a cast-iron skillet in steps by grilling the patties, caramelizing the onions, assembling the sandwich, and then grilling it as for a grilled cheese sandwich.[10][6] Gentleman's Quarterly called it "the great indoor burger".[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wells, Pete (2024-01-30). "The Patty Melt Is Tired of Hearing About Your Favorite Burger". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2024-02-03. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
  2. ^ Lebovitz, David (2013-08-08). "Patty Melt". David Lebovitz. Archived from the original on 2022-08-10. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
  3. ^ Copeland, Sarah (2019-09-24). "Deconstructing the Perfect Patty Melt". Saveur. Archived from the original on 2023-10-03. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
  4. ^ Kesh, Jonathan (2023-11-08). "What's The Difference Between A Burger And A Patty Melt?". The Daily Meal. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
  5. ^ Friedman, Stephanie (2023-03-16). "Is There A Difference Between A Patty Melt And A Burger?". Tasting Table. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
  6. ^ a b c Nosowitz, Dan (2018-06-28). "Skip the Burger, Eat the Patty Melt". GQ. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
  7. ^ Lurie, Joshua (February 22, 2017). "11 Awesome Patty Melts For Your Next Comfort Food Fix: It's good to switch things up once in a while". Eater LA. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  8. ^ Duane, Daniel (February 4, 2016). "Better Than a Burger: In Praise of the Patty Melt". Men's Journal. Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  9. ^ Inamine, Elyse (June 15, 2017). "The Patty Melt Is Getting Its Moment". Food & Wine. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  10. ^ a b Cook's Country: The Best Diner Food. PBS. 23 January 2024. Event occurs at 1:00.
  11. ^ Sifton, Sam (September 1, 2016). "The Crispy Decadence of the Patty Melt". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
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