There was heartbreak and there was drama. There were battles all across the table cloths. There were onions, and there were tomatoes.
But when the mustard had finally cleared, the winners emerged.
Cheeseburger Week in Pasadena ended at 11:59pm on Saturday, January 28, as yummy burgers and very special selections were scarfed down by the hungry from throughout Southern California.
Some visited old favorites and some tried a new venue.
“I enjoyed burgers from The Stand, El Portal, Lucky Baldwin’s Trappiste Pub, Pie ‘n Burger and Dog Haus,” said Pasadena President and CEO Paul Little. “Each was spectacular in its own way and unique. Cheeseburger Week may be over for 2023, but you can still find delicious burgers throughout the greater Pasadena area.”
1,464 diners voted for their favorites in the 2023 Cheeseburger Challenge. Not all voted in each category and in some categories there were fewer entries. The diners knew what they liked.
“We also added a ‘Favorite Burrito’ category this year to include some new restaurants with old favorites,” said Mr. Little. “And it could be argued that a burrito is a deconstructed cheeseburger if you use your imagination a little,” Little insisted.
We agree, to some degree.
Meanwhile, Pie N’ Burger, took 32% of the Favorite Lunch Counter Burger vote for a dramatic victory over Twohey’s. Jakes Trustworthy Burgers, and Beer, took home the bronze
In the Traditional Cheeseburger category, it was In-N-Out taking 30% of the vote, once again, finishing ahead of Twoheys’s, and strongly ahead of pie and burger:
Dog Haus took the Favorite Slider category ahead of Twohey’s , and Slater’s 50-50:
In the Favorite Gourmet Burger category, the stand wanna close victory over Doug house, at the same Craft by smoke and fire and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, and Wine bar tied for third place:
Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich won in the Alternative Cheeseburger category, beating over Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles Chicken Burger, and Pasadena Sandwich Company’s Big B.
Dog Haus Biergarten took the Favorite Bar Burger category over Kings Row Gastropub and Barney’s Beanery.
Urth Cafe gobbled down the prize in the Favorite Turkey Burger category, beating out True Food Kitchen and Barney’s Beanery 18%
In the favorite Sit Down/White Tablecloth Restaurant category, The Raymond tied with Smitty’s Grill, followed by Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, and Mi Piace.
The Stand Falafel’s Burger devoured the Favorite Veggie/Vegan Burger category, followed closely by True Food Kitchen and Twohey’s.
El Cholo took home the Favorite Burrito prize, with Burrito Express coming in second. El Portal and Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant tied for third place.
In the Favorite Dessert After A Cheeseburger category, it was Pie ‘N’ Burger with a whopping 43% victory over Great Maple and Smitty’s Grill.
The Ultimate Patron Recognition Award For Favorite Cheeseburger went to Dog Haus/Dog Haus Biergarten, followed by The Stand. Pie ‘N’ Burger, Twohey’s, and In ‘n Out all tied for third place.
“Thank you to all the restaurant participants and everyone who enjoyed a cheeseburger and voted in this year’s Cheeseburger Challenge,” added Little. “Customers enjoyed old favorites or new venues for some tasty fun. Cheeseburger Week is just plain delicious.”
For those who love the fine print, here are the results:
FAVORITE LUNCH COUNTER BURGER:
1. Pie ‘n Burger 32%
2. Twohey’s 21%
3. Jake’s Trustworthy Burgers and Beer 14%
FAVORITE TRADITIONAL CHEESEBURGER:
1. In ‘n Out 30%
2. Twohey’s 29%
3. Pie ‘n Burger 15%
FAVORITE SLIDERS:
1. Dog Haus: 34.5%
2. Twohey’s 23%
3. Slater’s 50/50 14%
FAVORITE GOURMENT BURGER:
1. The Stand 29%
2. Dog Haus 24.5%
3. (Tie) Craft by Smoke and Fire/Flemings Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar 10.5%
FAVORITE ALTERNATIVE BURGER:
1. Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich 23.5%
2. Roscoes Chicken and Waffles Chicken Burger 20%
3. Pasadena Sandwich Company Big B 9.5%
FAVORITE BAR BURGER:
1. Dog Haus Biergarten 32.5%
2. Kings Row Gastropub 14%
3. Barney’s Beanery 13.5%
FAVORITE TURKEY BURGER:
1. Urth Cafe 26%
2. True Food Kitchen 25%
3. Barney’s Beanery 18%
FAVORITE SIT-DOWN/WHITE TABLE CLOTH RESTAURANT BURGER
1. (Tie) The Raymond/Smitty’s Grill 25%
2. Flemings Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar 13.5%
3. Mi Piace 10%
FAVORITE VEGGIE/VEGAN BURGER:
1. The Stand Falafel Burger 34%
2. True Food Kitchen 26%
3. Twohey’s 25%
FAVORITE BURRITO:
1. El Cholo 25%
2. Burrito Express 20%
3. (Tie) El Portal/Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant 17%
FAVORITE DESSERT AFTER A CHEESEBURGER:
1. Pie ‘n Burger 43%
2. The Great Maple 22%
3. Smitty’s Grill 14%
And the ultimate patron recognition:
FAVORITE CHEESEBURGER:
1. Dog Haus/Dog Haus Biergarten 23%
2. The Stand 17%
3. (Tie) Pie ‘n Burger/Twohey’s/In ‘n Out: 11%
Cheeseburger Week 2024 will be held January 21 to January 27, 2024.
Cheeseburger Week is a Pasadena Restaurant Week and California Restaurant Month event presented by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce., and is sponsored by Wells Fargo.
More information on other Pasadena Chamber of Commerce restaurant events is available at www.pasadenarestaurantweek.com.
