Following a postponement caused by the recent fires, cheeseburgers specials are back in Pasadena as the city celebrates the dish that put the town on the culinary map.
Usually held in January, the annual Pasadena Cheeseburger Week returns Feb. 23-March 1 with about 40 restaurants offering deals on cheeseburgers of all kinds throughout the city, which is where the simple but world famous dish was invented more than 100 years ago.
And for Paul Little, president and chief executive officer of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, organizers of the event, it was important to continue with the tradition as people continue to recover from the fires.
“We thought that doing something which is a little whimsical and a little fun and is also delicious would be a good thing. And it also drives business to our restaurants who are suffering from all of this as well,” he said.
According to Little, as well as published reports, the cheeseburger was invented in 1924 by Lionel Sternberger, who as a teenager was flipping burgers for a living at his father’s restaurant called The Rite Spot. One day he accidentally burned a hamburger patty and instead of throwing it away, he tried to hide his mistake by putting a piece of cheese on the meat. And the cheeseburger was born.
Today there’s even a plaque commemorating the invention of the cheeseburger in front of the LA Financial Credit Union, which is where The Rite Spot once stood.
The weekly celebration includes specials on classic cheeseburgers like those being offered at places like Pie ‘n Burger, which is specifically known for its hefty burgers. Restaurant chains will also get into the celebration including Dog Haus, which will be serving a $10 Haus Burger and drink at both its Pasadena locations, as well as Shake Shack where their cheeseburger will be lowered to $5 for the week.
Those looking for something more adventurous can check out Kathleen’s Restaurant’s Salmon Burger meal or people can head over to Magnolia House for the restaurant’s Holy Shitake Burger. It’s made with wagyu patties, porcini rub, confit shiitakes and secret sauce between a sesame seed bun.
“We got so many restaurants doing something very special,” Little said.
For more information, go to pasadenarestaurantweek.com. The site will be updated with additional restaurants closer to the kick-off.