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What is a Patty Melt?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

The hamburger originates from the tradition of placing pork between two slices of bread in Hamburg, Germany. Yet now hamburgers with all their variations are considered uniquely American. The first US hamburgers were possibly sold in Seymour, Wisconsin in the late 19th century. Embellishing the hamburger soon became common fare, and the first cheeseburgers, a hamburger with a slice of melted cheese, was likely invented in 1924 in Pasadena, California, by Lionel Sternberger.

It's unclear when the actual patty melt was invented, but records exist of them being served as early as the 1940s. They embellish on the traditional cheeseburger, and further take the burger back to its roots by being served on bread versus a bun. The patty melt is usually served between two slices of grilled rye bread, just as early hamburgers were served between two pieces of bread.

Onions are often grilled and sliced for a patty melt.
Onions are often grilled and sliced for a patty melt.

The classic patty melt is a pretty wonderful thing if you’re a fan of hamburgers and onions. Traditionally the sandwich includes one hamburger patty, which is topped with swiss cheese. Grilled onions are added and the whole burger with rye bread included is grilled to fully melt the cheese. The result is a hot, flavorful burger that differs from the normal hamburger patty. Substitutions for rye bread include panini, Texas toast, or any type of white bread, and some burgers can be made of turkey.

Swiss cheese can be used on a patty melt.
Swiss cheese can be used on a patty melt.

Typically patty melts are served with lettuce, tomato and pickles on the side, and don’t have condiments on the bread. Some restaurants that serve this popular diner fare slather the inside of the bread with thousand island dressing, but this is not usual. You can certainly request condiments on the patty melt, but the flavor of the onions often renders them unnecessary.

Patty melts are frequently made using round breads.
Patty melts are frequently made using round breads.

The patty melt has come in and out of fashion depending upon dining trends. You’ll frequently find them in diners, especially those that are either styled after 1950s diners or that have been in business since the 50s. In the 1990s, the patty melt got a boost in popularity when several chain fast food restaurants began to offer the sandwiches. To keep this hamburger style manageable and easy to eat on the go, many fast food restaurants use round bread, similar to a bun without the rise. However, if it's not made with rye bread, regardless of shape, many people consider it a variant of the patty melt and not authentic.

Patty melts are said to have inspired the tuna melt, which uses tuna instead of a hamburger patty. Otherwise, they are virtually the same; they are grilled to melt the cheese and can include grilled onions. Tuna melts became popular in the late 40s, and many people preferred them because of the lower fat content in tuna.

You actually can make a patty melt that is low fat, especially if you use a low fat, low calorie cheese. Instead of using beef, substitute ground turkey or chicken for the patty. When you grill onions, use either a low fat cooking spray or a small amount of low fat oil. Rather than frying the sandwich in oil or margarine, simply toast the bread, and allow the cheese to melt directly on the hamburger a minute or two before the burger is fully cooked. This will give you a low fat version of the diner classic, and a tantalizing sandwich for your tastebuds.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent DelightedCooking contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent DelightedCooking contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon48994

I was eating tuna melts and patty melts at home in California in the 1920s and 1930s. The original recipe was open-face on one slice of whole-wheat or sourdough bread. It was topped with a slice of American Cheese, and placed in the oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese. The reuben is the only sandwich I know of that requires rye bread. I believe the recipe you have for Melts was reubenized by some East Coast deli.

anon39307

Hi, my understanding is that Tiny Naylor invented the patty melt, in Los Angeles, where he and his family owned several eateries.

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    • Onions are often grilled and sliced for a patty melt.
      By: Natika
      Onions are often grilled and sliced for a patty melt.
    • Swiss cheese can be used on a patty melt.
      By: ra3rn
      Swiss cheese can be used on a patty melt.
    • Patty melts are frequently made using round breads.
      By: fabiomax
      Patty melts are frequently made using round breads.