Forget the coastal rivalries of New York and the flashy diners of Los Angeles. If you want to pay homage to the king of American sandwiches, you need to head to the intersection of North Speer Blvd and West 27th Avenue in Denver, Colorado.

While others claim to have invented it, Denver is the only city that holds the "birth certificate." In 1935, a visionary named Louis Ballast of the Humpty Dumpty Drive-In was awarded the official trademark for the name "Cheeseburger."

Buckle up, burger buffs—we’re taking a deep dive into the greasy, cheesy history of the Mile High City.

The Mad Scientist of Speer Boulevard

Before Louis Ballast struck "yellow gold" with a slice of American cheese, he was something of a culinary mad scientist. Operating out of a building nicknamed "The Barrel," Ballast was obsessed with making the hamburger more exciting.

Legend has it that before he landed on cheese, he attempted to top his burgers with peanut butter and even chocolate. While the chocolate (thankfully) didn't stick, the melted cheese created a savory symphony that changed history. On March 5, 1935, Ballast secured the legal bragging rights to the "Cheeseburger," cementing Denver’s place in the culinary pantheon.

A Neighborhood Pilgrimage: Denver’s Burger Map

The Humpty Dumpty Drive-In may be gone (replaced by a commemorative granite plaque and a bank), but the spirit of innovation lives on in Denver’s iconic neighborhoods.

• LoHi (Lower Highlands) – My Brother’s Bar: This is the oldest operating bar in Denver (since 1873) and a former hangout for Beat Generation legends like Jack Kerouac. There is no sign on the door, but inside, they serve the JCB (Jalapeño Cream Cheese Burger)—a tangy, spicy nod to the city’s experimental roots.
• Cherry Creek – The Cherry Cricket: Since 1945, this has been a Denver rite of passage. Famous for their "condiment caddy," they keep Ballast's spirit alive by letting you top your burger with anything from peanut butter to raspberry jam.
• RiNo (River North) – Dalton’s at RiNo Country Club: For the modern purist, this spot serves "Cheeseburgs" with ultra-thin, crispy-edged patties and Cooper Sharp American cheese. It’s the 1930s classic perfected with 21st-century technique.
• South Federal – Grandpa’s Burger Haven: A tiny, walk-up shack that feels like a time capsule. This is where you go for "big burger" energy—massive patties and thick shakes that mirror the original drive-in experience.

Beyond the Bun: Did You Know?

• The Granite Proof: You can still pay your respects at 2776 North Speer Blvd. A granite monument stands in a lily garden to remind passersby that they are walking on holy culinary ground.
• The Root Beer Connection: Colorado isn't just for burgers. In 1893, Frank J. Wisner of Cripple Creek supposedly invented the Root Beer Float (the "Black Cow"). It’s the ultimate historical sidekick to a Denver cheeseburger.
• The "No Fries" Rule: If you head just south of Denver to Bud’s Bar in Sedalia, don't ask for fries. Their motto is "No fries, dammit!" They serve only burgers and chips, keeping the spotlight strictly on the meat and cheese.

The Legacy of the Humble Drive-In

Louis Ballast famously never sued anyone for using the name "Cheeseburger," allowing the sandwich to become a global icon. He gave the world a gift, and Denver remains the guardian of that legacy.

So, the next time you sink your teeth into a juicy, cheese-covered patty, remember the man in the barrel-shaped building on Speer Boulevard. Whether it's a gourmet truffle-topped masterpiece in Uptown or a classic smashburger in RiNo, every cheeseburger in the world has a little bit of Denver soul in it.