Jucy Lucy facts for kids
A Jucy Lucy from Matt's Bar in Minneapolis
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| Alternative names | Juicy Lucy |
|---|---|
| Course | Entree |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Region or state | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Created by | Multiple claims |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Hamburger, cheese |
| Variations | Multiple |
| 600 kcal (2512 kJ) | |
A Jucy Lucy (also spelled Juicy Lucy) is a unique cheeseburger. What makes it special is that the cheese is melted inside the meat patty, not on top. This creates a gooey, melted cheese center. Two restaurants in Minneapolis, Minnesota, say they invented this tasty burger. Many other places have also made their own versions.
Contents
How a Jucy Lucy is Made
To make a Jucy Lucy, chefs place cheese between two thin hamburger patties. Then, they carefully seal the edges of the patties together. This creates one thick patty with the cheese hidden inside.
As the burger cooks, the cheese melts into a hot, liquid core. This helps keep the meat very juicy in the middle. It also means the cheese doesn't touch the bun directly. This gives the Jucy Lucy a different texture than a regular cheeseburger. You can still add your favorite toppings like onions, pickles, or sauces.
Who Invented the Jucy Lucy?
Two bars in South Minneapolis both claim to have created the Jucy Lucy. These are Matt's Bar and the 5-8 Club. They are only about three miles (5 km) apart.
Matt's Bar says its former owner, Matt Bristol, invented it. One story says a customer in 1954 bit into the burger and exclaimed, "Oooh, that's one juicy lucy!" The name stuck. The 5-8 Club doesn't have a specific story. However, it started as a secret bar in the 1920s.
The two bars even spell the name differently! Matt's Bar spells it "Jucy Lucy," without the "i." They say this was an accident when it was first made. The 5-8 Club uses the normal spelling, "Juicy Lucy." Staff at the 5-8 Club wear shirts that say, "if it's spelled right, it's done right." Matt's Bar ads say, "Remember, if it is spelled correctly, you are eating a shameless rip-off!"
Another difference is the cheese. Matt's Bar only uses American cheese in its Jucy Lucy. The 5-8 Club offers several different types of cheese.
This friendly competition between the two bars has been going on for a long time. It became even more famous after being mentioned in Time magazine in 2008. It was also shown on TV shows like Man v. Food and Food Wars. In 2014, President Barack Obama visited Matt's Bar and tried a Jucy Lucy. The 5-8 Club then invited him to try their version too!
Experts have called the Jucy Lucy an important step in how hamburgers have changed. It helped inspire chefs to try stuffing burgers with different fillings.
Other Places to Find Jucy Lucys
Many other restaurants in the Minneapolis area also make their own Jucy Lucys. They are encouraged to create their own versions. Most use the same basic way of making the burger. But they offer different toppings, fillings, and side dishes.
Some other well-known places that serve Jucy Lucys include Blue Door Pub and The Nook. In 2018, Bon Appétit magazine said that The Nook had the best Juicy Lucy in the Twin Cities area.
Images for kids
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A homemade Juicy Lucy patty, uncooked and unassembled
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A Juicy Lucy from the 5-8 Club in Minneapolis
See also
In Spanish: Jucy Lucy para niños
