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When I wrote my book, Catholicism Everywhere: From Hail Mary Passes to Cappuccions/ How the Catholic Faith is Infused in Culture, I included a chapter on the Catholic link to foods such as coffee, gingerbread cookies, and Munster Cheese. Now as Lent begins, it is time to look at the Catholic contributions to McDonald's fast-food menu.
In 1959, Lou Groen opened the first McDonald's franchise in Monfort Heights, Ohio. Business was slow. Fridays were the worst days because 87% of the area's residents were Catholics who fasted from meat every Friday of the year. Groen decided that if he couldn't sell hamburgers on Fridays, he would offer fish. That seemed like a good plan until Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald's, shouted that the smell of fish cooking would drive away customers.
As an alternative, Kroc suggested a grilled pineapple and cheese sandwich that he named the Hula Burger. The Hula Burger could be a delicious option for everyone fasting from meat.
On Good Friday, 1962. the Hula Burger and the Greon's fish sandwich, renamed the Filet-O-Fish, were served in several McDonald's locations to see which sold better. The Filet-O-Fish was the winner and became a standard offering in every McDonald's.
McDonald's customers throughout the world can thank the Catholic residents of Ohio for inspiring the Filet-O-Fish sandwich.
Do you want to learn more about foods with Catholic origins? Read Catholicisim Everywhere: From Hail Mary Passes to Cappuccinos: How the Catholic Faith Is Infused in Culture by Dr. Helen Hoffner. Published by Sophia Institute Press, the book is available from The Catholic Company, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Leaflet Online, and other book sellers. Here is the link: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/catholicism-everywhere/
Helen Hoffner, Ed.D. is a professor at Holy Family University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is the author of four books for Catholic audiences: The Cross: A Universal Symbol ( Marian Press, 2024), Catholicism Everywhere ( Sophia Institute Press, 2024), Catholic Traditions and Treasures ( Sophia Institute Press, 2018), and The Rosary Collector's Guide ( Schiffer Publishing, 2013). She has also written four books for teachers: The Elementary Teacher's Digital Toolbox ( Prentice Hall, 2006), Literacy Lessons K-8 ( Corwin Press, 2010), Reading and Writing Mysteries in Grades 4-8 ( Teacher Created Materials, 2006), and A Look at Realistic Fiction ( Teacher Created Materials, 2003). Dr. Hoffner has been invited to discuss her books on television programs of EWTN and the Catholic Faith Network as well as on radio stations across the United States and Canada.
