The story
The banana split is generally credited to David Strickler, a 23-year-old pharmacy student working the soda fountain at Tassel's Pharmacy in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. In 1904, inspired by the fruit-laden sundaes he had seen on holiday in Atlantic City, he split a banana lengthwise in a boat-shaped dish, set three scoops of ice cream between the halves and topped them with sauces, whipped cream, nuts and cherries. At 10 cents it cost twice as much as other sundaes, but students from nearby Saint Vincent College loved it. Wilmington, Ohio says Ernest Hazard invented it in 1907, but in 2004 the National Ice Cream Retailers Association certified Latrobe.
Rival claims
Wilmington, Ohio says Ernest Hazard created it in 1907; the National Ice Cream Retailers Association certified Latrobe in 2004.
Also known as banana split sundae.
On the Meridish menu
Banana split was the dessert course on menu No. 20 on October 20, 2026. Its clue in the game, which hints at the place without naming it:
A banana halved lengthwise around three scoops of ice cream with three sauces. A 23-year-old pharmacy student first served it at a soda fountain here in 1904.
In Meridish, every dish is pinned to the town or city most widely credited with creating it. A guess within 25 km scores all 100 points. How scoring works.
Sources
Food history is often disputed. Think we've pinned it in the wrong place? Tell us at hello@meridish.com, ideally with a source.
