Louis’lunch

So I had the thicker steakburger… meh. It was a big letdown. Nothing different from your usual fast food burger joint. Actually, it was pretty disappointing because the bread doesn’t really go along. As a matter of fact, I felt it even LACKED flavor. The lettuce, tomato, mayo ketchup is just dressing a lump of meat.
OTOH, the onion rings were fried beautifully and were super tasty. They don’t give a lot, and I am inclined to keep the delicious fries. Maybe next time I’ll get a DOUBLE of their regular patty… hehe (why, oh why do I keep coming back?) The staff is still as crazy and funny as ever.

Louis’ Lunch is a find, and I have been meaning to return recently, but have not gotten the chance. Louis’ son (either Fred or Tom) does work there, and his grand-​daughter is one of the waitresses. They are insanely slammed during lunchtime with all of the downtown office workers, and many of the patrons have been going there for 15 – 30 years. I spent a lot of time here during my downtown teenage years.
The restaurant was opened by Louis Pennisi (from Mascali, Sicily) in 1928, and is the oldest restaurant in Gainesville (now that Wise’s closed). Pennisi is one of the three people that have credit for creating what is now known as the hamburger. Before Pennisi opened the storefront, he sold burgers from a food cart in downtown.
I will let you in on some of the secrets, since I used to be really good friends with someone that worked there for a long time. My «friend» was a guy that absolutely could not keep a job anywhere, yet he was able to hold a job down at Louis’ for almost a year. So, they treat their employees very well, like family in fact.
–Only family is allowed make the burgers, and allowed to operate the grill.
–Only family is allowed to waitress, unless they are short staffed. The waitress you see is normally Pennisi’s grand-​daughter.
–The recipe is ¹⁄₃ ground beef, ¹⁄₃ ground pork, ¹⁄₃ breadcrumbs, plus spices. That is why the burger is so crispy; it is like a meatball burger.
I definitely recommend ordering the crispy hamburger all the way, no onion. The burgers are on the small side. The curly fries are my favorite, and the hand dipped chocolate malts are amazing. However, the burger and fries taste best with a root beer. So, maybe get the chocolate malt for dessert and take it to go. The food does not taste the same unless you eat it in the restaurant with the appropriate surroundings. It is a little pricey, but you get what you pay for, cash only. Think Steak N’ Shake prices.