why is it called hell's kitchen

The name "Hell's Kitchen" for the Manhattan neighborhood likely originates from a few key historical stories and theories. The most widely accepted one involves a veteran police officer and his rookie partner watching a violent scene in the area. The rookie exclaimed, "This place is hell itself," to which the veteran responded, "Hell's a mild climate. This is Hell's Kitchen." This dialogue captured the rough reputation of the area in the late 19th century, known for gang violence, poverty, and tough living conditions. Another accepted origin points to the "Hell's Kitchen Gang," a notorious local gang active in the 19th century. Additionally, early references in newspapers like The New York Times in 1881 mention "Hell's Kitchen" to describe a particularly infamous tenement block, which then extended to the surrounding neighborhood. Other theories include the name coming from a German restaurant called Heil's Kitchen or borrowing the name from a similarly rough district in London. However, the police story and the gang association remain the most popular explanations. Despite attempts to rename the area "Clinton" for beautification and gentrification purposes, the name Hell's Kitchen has stuck, reflecting its colorful and turbulent past.