Bushra Griffith
Eli Stevens, a TikTok user, fits a stereotype: he’s shirtless in the video, fit, blonde, slit, earring, and is wearing a chain. In the video, he holds a plate with a cheeseburger on it and says, Ay, yo, we got a burger, pauses, and then says, ...with cheese on it. While there are several competing claims as to who created the first cheeseburger, Lionel Sternberger is reputed to have introduced the cheeseburger in 1924 at the age of 16 while working as a fry cook at his father's Pasadena, California sandwich shop, The Rite Spot.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Creator | Eli Stevens |
| Social media platform | TikTok |
| Music in the video | "Midsummer Madness" by 88RISING |
| Twitter account | @ToxicTikToks |
| Type of cheese | American cheese |
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What You'll Learn
Eli Stevens' TikTok video
Eli Stevens is a TikTok star and social media influencer who is best known for his comedy videos, commentary clips, and short vlogging posts. He first started sharing videos on TikTok in May 2019 and gained popularity when his first fitness-related modelling clip earned over 2 million likes. Stevens is also known for his passion for hiking and camping and often shares photos and videos of his outdoor adventures on TikTok.
One of Stevens' notable TikTok videos is the one where he showcases a cheeseburger he made. In the video, he holds a plate with a cheeseburger and says, "Ay, yo, we got a burger," pauses briefly, and then adds, "with cheese on it." He dramatically points at the burger while the song "Midsummer Madness" by 88RISING plays in the background, specifically the line "Fuck the rules." The video, captioned "Cooked the burgers," shows Stevens smiling and fitting a particular stereotype: shirtless, fit, blonde, with an earring and a chain. This video was also posted on Twitter by the account @ToxicTikToks, which has since been suspended.
Stevens' cheeseburger video sparked a range of responses, including a Medium article by "mydadsacct," who initially criticised Stevens, mentioning that his "brain function hit 0" while filming the video. However, the author later issued an apology, acknowledging that they took the video too literally. The article also delves into the broader context of comedy and its role in society, especially during challenging historical periods.
Stevens' TikTok content has evolved over time, and some observers have noted a shift in tone. While he initially gained popularity for his comedic and light-hearted videos, some commenters have suggested that his more recent posts have become increasingly confusing and deranged. There are speculations about whether Stevens is telling a coherent story or simply posting unrelated short creepy/comedic videos.
Stevens has also showcased his passion for country music in his TikTok videos, featuring artists like Patsy Cline and Brenda Lee. Additionally, he has posted videos with his brother, Zeke, and shared his love for hiking and camping through visuals from his trip to the Bridger Mountain Range.
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The history of cheeseburgers
The cheeseburger is a variation of the hamburger, with one or more slices of melted cheese on top of the meat patty, or enclosed within the ground beef. By the late 19th century, the vast grasslands of the Great Plains had been opened up for cattle ranching, making it possible for many Americans to consume beef almost daily. The hamburger remains one of the cheapest forms of beef in America.
Adding cheese to hamburgers became popular in the 1920s, and there are several competing claims as to who created the first cheeseburger. Lionel Sternberger is reputed to have introduced the cheeseburger in 1924 at the age of 16. He was working as a fry cook at his father's Pasadena, California sandwich shop, "The Rite Spot", and "experimentally dropped a slab of American cheese on a sizzling hamburger."
Other restaurants also claim to have invented the cheeseburger. For example, Kaelin's Restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky, said it invented the cheeseburger in 1934. One year later, a trademark for the name "cheeseburger" was awarded to Louis Ballast of the Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver, Colorado. According to Steak 'n Shake archives, the restaurant's founder, Gus Belt, applied for a trademark on the word in the 1930s.
Dale Mulder, the owner of an A&W Restaurants franchise in Lansing, Michigan, has been credited with inventing the bacon cheeseburger in 1963, putting it on the menu after repeated requests from the same customer. However, there are earlier examples of a restaurant selling bacon cheeseburgers, including a menu for a Harrisburg, Pennsylvania restaurant from 1941.
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The first cheeseburger
The cheeseburger is a beloved menu item in restaurants and fast-food chains across the world. But who made the first cheeseburger?
There are several competing claims as to who invented the first cheeseburger. One story attributes its creation to Lionel Sternberger in 1924. The story goes that at the age of 16, Sternberger was working as a fry cook at his father's Pasadena, California, sandwich shop, "The Rite Spot". It was here that he "experimentally dropped a slab of American cheese on a sizzling hamburger". Adding cheese to hamburgers became popular in the 1920s, and American cheese is still a popular choice for cheeseburgers today due to its meltability.
Other restaurants also claim to have invented the cheeseburger. Kaelin's Restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky, says it invented the cheeseburger in 1934, while a trademark for the name "cheeseburger" was awarded to Louis Ballast of the Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver, Colorado, in 1935. Steak 'n Shake archives claim that the restaurant's founder, Gus Belt, applied for a trademark on the word in the 1930s.
The bacon cheeseburger is said to have been invented by Dale Mulder, the owner of an A&W Restaurants franchise in Lansing, Michigan, in 1963. Mulder added the bacon cheeseburger to the menu after repeated requests from a customer. However, there are earlier examples of restaurants selling bacon cheeseburgers, including a menu for a Harrisburg, Pennsylvania restaurant from 1941.
Cheeseburgers can be prepared in different ways, with the cheese either melted on top of the meat patty or enclosed within the ground beef. Virtually all restaurants that sell hamburgers also offer cheeseburgers, and the hamburger remains one of the cheapest forms of beef in America.
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Restaurants claiming to have invented the cheeseburger
Several restaurants claim to have invented the cheeseburger, each with their own unique story.
The Rite Spot, Pasadena, California
The Pasadena Convention and Visitor Bureau claims that the cheeseburger was first served to customers at "The Rite Spot", a roadside burger stand near Route 66 in Pasadena, California. According to legend, the owner's 16-year-old son, Lionel Sternberger, accidentally burnt a patty while flipping burgers in 1924 (or as early as 1923, or as late as 1926). To hide his mistake, he placed a slice of cheese on the burger to mask the scorch marks. The burger was named the Aristocratic Burger and was added to the menu for 15 cents.
Kaelin's, Louisville, Kentucky
Kaelin's Restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky also claims to be the birthplace of the cheeseburger. In 1934, shortly after opening, restaurant owner Carl Kaelin placed a slice of cheese on a hamburger. The granddaughter of the original owners recounts that Kaelin's initially served as a neighbourhood bar, but during the day, they sold lunch to the kids across the street.
Humpty Dumpty Drive-In, Denver
Louis Ballast of Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver trademarked the name "cheeseburger" in 1935. Ballast experimented with burgers topped with chocolate and peanut butter, but taste testers preferred cheese. The barrel-shaped restaurant became known for selling cheeseburgers to the masses.
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Types of cheese used in cheeseburgers
The cheeseburger is a classic American dish, with thousands of restaurants devoted to this beloved meal. The key to a great cheeseburger is, of course, the cheese! While fast-food restaurants in the United States tend to use processed cheese, there are many other options when it comes to choosing the right meltable cheese for your burger.
The most popular types of cheese used in cheeseburgers include American, Swiss, and Cheddar. American cheese is a classic choice, often used in fast-food restaurants, and known for its gooey texture and salty taste. Swiss cheese is another popular option, known for its nutty and buttery flavour, and excellent melting qualities. Cheddar cheese is also commonly used, offering a nice "tang" with a bold flavour. Young (mild) cheddars tend to melt the best, so they are a good choice for cheeseburgers.
Other meltable cheeses used in cheeseburgers include mozzarella, blue cheese, and pepper jack. Blue cheese is a more adventurous choice, offering a strong flavour. Pepper jack is another unique option, and pairs well with Mexican or Italian seasonings in the ground beef. If you're looking for something extra gooey, try Monterey Jack cheese, which is one of the best cheeses for melting.
For those looking to experiment with more exotic cheese options, there are hundreds of varieties to choose from. Some examples include smoked Gouda, brie, Gruyere, Mueller, and Havarti. These cheeses can add a unique twist to your cheeseburger, offering new flavours and textures to elevate the classic dish.
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Frequently asked questions
Eli Stevens created a TikTok video in which he holds a plate with a cheeseburger and says, "Ay, yo, we got a burger," pauses, and then says, "...with cheese on it."
There are several competing claims as to who created the first cheeseburger. One story claims that Lionel Sternberger introduced the cheeseburger in 1924 at the age of 16 while working as a fry cook at his father's Pasadena, California, sandwich shop, "The Rite Spot." Other restaurants that claim to have invented the cheeseburger include Kaelin's Restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky, and the Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver, Colorado.
In fast food restaurants across the United States, processed cheese is usually used, although other meltable cheeses such as cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, blue cheese, or pepper jack are also common. American cheese is also a popular choice as it melts well on burgers.
