Eating The Vote: Pasadena’s Best Cheeseburgers Named

Dog Haus/Dog Haus Biergarten

After a week of hot, busy grills and opinions with onions, Pasadena’s 2026 Cheeseburger Week has wrapped (in yellow paper, probably)— and nearly 1,800 diners weighed in on who did it best.

The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Cheeseburger Election Center Desk has reported Monday that 1,796 people voted online in this year’s Cheeseburger Challenge, which ran January 25 through January 31. Diners sampled special new creations, took refuge at familiar counters, tried new participants, and cast ballots across a slate of categories that now stretch well beyond the classic cheeseburger.

Pasadena Now can now report the following cheeseburgers and related selections as winners:

New this year was a category for “Favorite Burger Along Route 66 and Colorado Boulevard,” marking the centennial of Route 66 and the 150th anniversary of Pasadena’s main street. Shake Shack led that category with 23 percent of the vote, followed by Twohey’s at 15 percent.

In the headline “Favorite Burger” category, Dog Haus/Dog Haus Biergarten finished first with 16 percent, with The Stand close behind at 15 percent. Islands and Pie ’n Burger tied at 7 percent. Dog Haus won its share of rewards last year as well, so their victory streak continues.

Restaurants that created items specifically for Cheeseburger Week also drew strong interest. Magnolia House’s French Onion Dip Burger (which we reviewed) topped that category with 21 percent, followed by Taproom at the Langham’s Empanadas Animal Style (which we also reviewed) at 18 percent and De-Luxe 1717’s Kebab Burger at 12 percent.

The Stand appeared frequently across the results, including wins for Favorite Lunch Counter Burger, Favorite Traditional/Throwback Cheeseburger, Favorite Gourmet Burger, and Favorite Veggie/Vegan Burger. Dog Haus/Dog Haus Biergarten led Favorite Sliders and Favorite Bar Burger, while also placing near the top in several other categories.

Outside the beef-centric lanes, Chick-fil-A earned the most votes for Favorite Alternative Burger, with Raymond 1886’s Bison Burger (which of course, we reviewed), placing second. Pie ’n Burger led Favorite Turkey Burger, ahead of True Food Kitchen and Urth Café. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar topped Favorite White Tablecloth Burger, followed by Fogo de Chão and Smitty’s Grill.

The voting also extended to sides of comfort. Burrito Express dominated Favorite Burrito with 48 percent of the vote, while Pie ’n Burger claimed Favorite Dessert After a Burger, followed by Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar and Twohey’s.

All participating restaurants were automatically entered into “Favorite Cheeseburger” and could choose up to three additional categories. The Chamber reports that many participants saw increased burger business during the week, particularly those offering special items or pricing.

Now go take a nap.

Here are the complete 2026 Cheeseburger Challenge results:

Favorite Burger:

1. Dog Haus/Dog Haus Biergarten: 16%
2. The Stand 15%
3. Islands/Pie ‘n Burger 7% (Tie)

Favorite Burger Along Route 66/Colorado Boulevard:

1. Shake Shack 23%
2. Twohey’s 15%
3. Lucky Baldwin’s Pub and Trappiste Pub/Ruth’s Chris Steak House/Kings Row Gastropub 8.5%

Favorite Burger Created for Cheeseburger Week:

1. Magnolia House French Onion Burger 21%%
2. Taproom at the Langham Empanadas Animal Style 18%
3. De-Luxe 1717 Kebab Burger 12%

Favorite Lunch Counter Burger:

1. The Stand 21%
2. Pie ‘n Burger 19%
3. Islands/Shake Shack 15%

Favorite Traditional/Throwback Cheeseburger:

1. The Stand 26%
2. Dog Haus/Dog Haus Biergarten 19%
3. Pie ‘n Burger 11%

Favorite Sliders:

1. Dog Haus/Dog Haus Biergarten 28%
2. Twohey’s 18%
3. Lucky Baldwin’s (all)/Kings Row Gastropub 16%

Favorite Gourmet Burger:

1. The Stand 29.5%
2. Dog Haus/Dog Haus Biergarten 28%
3. Flemings Prime Steakhouse and Win Bar 8%

Favorite Alternative Burger:

1. Chick-fil-A 22%
2. Raymond 1886 Bison Burger 13%
3. Mr. Mushroom Burger Farm 9%

Favorite Bar Burger:

1. Dog Haus Biergarten 34%
2. Islands 18%
3. Kings Row Gastropub/Ruth’s Chris Steak House 14% each

Favorite Turkey Burger:

1. Pie ‘n Burger 24%
2. True Food Kitchen 22%
3. Urth Café 20%

Favorite White Table Cloth Burger:

1. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar 23%
2. Fogo de Chao 17%
3. Smitty’s grill 13%

Favorite Veggie/Vegan Burger:

1. The Stand 27%
2. True Food Kitchen 24%
3. Twohey’s 13% each

Favorite Burrito

1. Burrito Express 48%
2. Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant 19%
3. Mijares Mexican Restaurant 18%

Favorite Dessert After a Burger:

1. Pie ‘n Burger 31%
2. Flemings prine Steakhouse and Wine Bar 22%
3. Twohey’s 11%

Cheeseburger Week is part of Pasadena Restaurant Week and California Restaurant Month, presented by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Wells Fargo. More information on upcoming restaurant events is available at pasadenarestaurantweek.com.