Events

During Cheeseburger Week from Sunday, January 24th to Friday, January 29th, Pasadena honors Lionel Sternberger's genius in being the first to put cheese on a hamburger and serve it at the Rite Spot in Pasadena in 1924. Forty of Pasadena's favorite restaurants, lounges and burger joints offer their signature burgers, some special creations and great deals during Pasadena Cheeseburger Week.

In 1924, as legend has it, teenaged Lionel Sternberger burned one side of a hamburger patty at The Rite Spot, his father’s roadside stand along Colorado Boulevard (then Colorado Street) in west Pasadena. Rather than throw away the spoiled burger, he masked his mistake with a piece of cheese and served it to a very appreciative customer. Word soon spread and customers flocked to The Rite Spot for The Aristocratic Burger, A Hamburger with Cheese. Sternberger’s achievement is the first verified instance of someone serving a hamburger with cheese to a customer.

Over the years, Sternberger perfected his Aristocratic Burger, much to the delight of customers at The Rite Spot. Sternberger’s culinary achievement has been documented by Hamburger America, the Los Angeles Times and even Time magazine in its obituary of Sternberger.

To celebrate Sternberger’s culinary masterpiece, Pasadena restaurants are offering specials, unique creations and the tried and true. Patrons can experience a terrific take-out burger experience, from top-of-the-line fine dining experiences to burger stands and lounges. Those wanting a variety of experiences can organize a cheeseburger crawl or follow one of the pre-planned themed crawls.

Several participants in the 2021 Cheeseburger Week celebration and Cheeseburger Challenge are offering special meals and deals including:

• Dog Haus (both locations) has 99¢ Cheeseburger Sliders and any of Dog Haus’ 7 amazing Haus Burgers for just $6.99 during Cheeseburger Week!.
• Mi Piace in Old Pasadena has created the Black Label Burger: exclusive Prime Rib Eye and Brisket mix with aged Vermont cheddar, raw Vidalia onion, organic tomato- Boston lettuce- fresh made 1000 island- toasted sesame brioche bun for $20; 
• Many other participants are offering special creations and deals. 

For a full list of participants and more specials visit www.pasadenarestaurantweek.com and click on the Restaurants and Menus tab.

Voting in the 2021 Cheeseburger Challenge opens January 24, 2021, and ends January 30, 2021.

Cheeseburger Week is a Pasadena Restaurant Week and California Restaurant Month event presented by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. Cheeseburger Week is generously sponsored by Wells Fargo.