Who invented the cheeseburger? Ask a dozen cities and you might get a dozen different answers. But in Denver, there’s a monument that makes a bold claim.

Tucked into a small patch of greenery at the corner of Speer Boulevard and Alcott Street, a modest stone marker commemorates what many locals believe is the birthplace of one of America’s favorite comfort foods. It honors the long-gone Humpty Dumpty Barrel, Colorado’s first drive-in restaurant, where owner Louis Ballast is said to have created — and trademarked — “The Cheeseburger” in 1935.

So, did the cheeseburger really begin here? Like many great food stories, the answer is a little more complicated.

 

The Monument

Erected in 1987 by a local dairy association, the monument marks the site where the barrel-shaped Humpty Dumpty once stood. According to local lore, Ballast experimented with burger toppings ranging from chocolate to peanut butter before settling on the winning combination: cheese.

The restaurant soon became known for serving cheeseburgers to hungry Denverites, inspiring the marker that still stands today.

 

Who Else Claims the Cheeseburger? 

As with many beloved foods, the cheeseburger’s origin story is up for debate. Pasadena’s Rite Spot traces its version back to 1926, and Los Angeles restaurants were serving cheeseburgers by the late 1920s. Kaelin’s in Louisville, Kentucky, also claims to have invented the sandwich in 1934 — a year before Louis Ballast trademarked the name “The Cheeseburger.”

So who deserves the credit? That depends on whom you ask. Whether Ballast was a marketing genius, the true inventor or simply the first to trademark the name is a deliciously unresolved question— and one that’s probably best debated over a cheeseburger.

 

A Brief Timeline of the Cheeseburger 

Like the hamburger itself, the cheeseburger has more than one origin story. Historians have traced hamburgers to restaurant menus across the country by the early 1900s, making it nearly impossible to identify a single inventor. But somewhere along the way, someone had the simple idea to melt a slice of cheese over a beef patty — and American comfort food was forever changed.

Today, cheeseburgers are as much a part of the nation’s culinary identity as baseball and road trips. Americans eat an estimated 20 to 50 billion hamburgers each year, and roughly half of them are topped with cheese. Whether the first cheeseburger was served in Denver or somewhere else, there’s no question it became one of America’s most enduring — and beloved — food innovations.

 

How to Visit the Monument 

You’ll find the Humpty Dumpty Drive-In Memorial outside the KeyBank at 2776 Speer Blvd., where a simple stone marker commemorates one of Denver’s most delicious claims to fame. It’s a quick but fun stop for burger lovers, roadside attraction fans or anyone who appreciates a good piece of local lore. Since it’s just minutes from the Downtown Aquarium, Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park and the Lower Highland (LoHi) neighborhood, it’s easy to add to a day of exploring the city.

 

Where to Find the Best Cheeseburgers in Denver

While the Humpty Dumpty shut down decades ago, there is no shortage of places to get a good cheeseburger in the Mile High City.

 

A5 Steakhouse

Stop by A5 Steakhouse during happy hour (3:30–5:30 p.m.) to score a stellar burger deal. The A4 Burger layers a 6-ounce Wagyu beef patty with butterkäse cheese, griddled onions, pickles and special sauce for $16. Pair it with fries and a draft martini for a happy hour worth lingering over.

 

Ajax Downtown

While Ajax Downtown is known for its elevated comfort food, the Brasserie Burger is a standout. Topped with caramelized onions, raclette cheese, roasted garlic aioli, bourbon demi-glace and fresh watercress, it’s a rich, indulgent take on a classic.

 

Brothers Bar & Grill

This laid-back tavern puts a Midwestern spin on the classic burger. The signature creation comes piled high with hand-battered Wisconsin cheese curds, while the Brothers Classic Bacon Cheeseburger is a satisfying choice for burger traditionalists.

 

The Bindery

Chef-owner Linda Hampsten Fox has earned a loyal following for her brunch menu, and the burger is just as memorable. The Bindery Burger features an 8-ounce locally sourced beef patty topped with bacon, Cheddar, a sunny-side-up egg and the restaurant’s signature North Side Sauce.

 

5280 Burger Bar

At 5280 Burger Bar, chef-crafted patties are made from all-natural Colorado Black Angus beef, and served on house-made buns with scratch-made sauces. Pair your burger with a local craft beer, then save room for a scoop from the attached ice cream shop, which churns fresh flavors daily.

 

Sam's No. 3

A Denver diner institution, Sam’s No. 3 is famous for its towering, made-to-order burgers crafted with fresh-ground beef. The can’t-miss order is the legendary Red No. 3 Chiliburger, smothered in the restaurant’s signature beef red chili. If you’re especially hungry, go for the Monster Burger, piled high with mushrooms, bacon and melted Jack cheese.

 

The Cherry Cricket

A local classic since 1945, Cherry Cricket has grown from a neighborhood tavern into one of the city’s most iconic burger joints with four outposts across the Front Range. Build your own half-pound burger, then top it with local favorites like roasted green chiles and herbed cream cheese for a true Centennial State bite.

 

My Brother's Bar

Step into history at the city’s oldest continuously operating tavern, serving locals since 1873. The burgers are as timeless as the bar itself, arriving wrapped in paper with a caddy of classic fixings so you can dress them just the way you like.

 

Tap & Burger

This longtime favorite has three Front Range locations serving tried-and-true favorites like the Classic Smashed and the Shroom Luva's alongside an impressive list of beers on tap. Whatever you order will pair well with a side of sweet potato waffle or hand-cut fries.

 

Odie B’s

With locations in Sunnyside and the River North Art District (RiNo), Odie B’s has become a go-to for smash burgers. Order the Double OD Burger, stacked with two smashed patties, American and cheddar jack cheeses, dill-pickled onions and house “fancy” sauce. Complete the meal with the Mixed Bag of Fries, a crispy assortment of five different potato styles.