Pasadena Celebrates 100 Years of the Cheeseburger with Specials Galore

In the city where the cheeseburger was born, local restaurants are gearing up to commemorate its centennial during Cheeseburger Week from Jan. 21-27. This simple yet iconic dish, consisting of meat, cheese, and a bun, became a global favorite after its invention in Pasadena 100 years ago.


According to reports, the cheeseburger was created in 1924 by Lionel Sternberger, a teenager working at his father's restaurant, The Rite Spot. In a moment of culinary mishap, Sternberger accidentally burned a hamburger patty and, to conceal his error, added a slice of cheese. The rest, as they say, is burger history, substantiated by old articles, a Time magazine obituary for Sternberger in 1964, and a plaque outside the LA Financial Credit Union marking the cheeseburger's invention.

To mark this culinary milestone, Cheeseburger Week promises a week-long celebration with various offerings:

### Burgers, Burgers, Burgers
The highlight of Cheeseburger Week will undoubtedly be the specials offered by numerous participating restaurants. Some establishments will introduce new cheeseburgers, while others will feature special temporary creations or offer discounts on existing favorites. One standout is the Royal Royce Burger at the Langham Huntington Hotel Pasadena, made from a blend of short rib and brisket, topped with a butter-poached lobster tail, smoked chanterelle mushrooms, raclette fondue, and black truffles in a charcoal brioche with gold leaf, priced at $100.

“I’m really looking forward to trying that one. They put a lot of effort into that one, and they came up with something really special,” said Little.

For more affordable options, Little recommends burgers from the Great Maple, including their $29 Mushroom Mornay Burger and the $25 Steakhouse Burger.

### The Passport
To add to the excitement, participants can win prizes such as free dinners and gift certificates with the new Cheeseburger Week Passport. Downloadable from pasadenarestaurantweek.com, the passport encourages patrons to visit various restaurants, make a purchase, and collect stamps. The Chamber will reward those who visit at least four places during the week.

### The Burger Challenge
Restaurants can vie for bragging rights as patrons can vote online for their favorites in categories like favorite sliders, classic or gourmet burgers, and best veggie burger.

For more details and updates on participating restaurants, visit pasadenarestaurantweek.com. The site will be regularly updated closer to the event kick-off. Get ready to indulge in a week-long celebration of the beloved cheeseburger in the city where it all began. Related Queries:

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