Pasadena Crowns Favorites In 2025 Cheeseburger Challenge

Pasadena’s annual Cheeseburger Week concluded its savory celebration with the announcement of winners in the 2025 Cheeseburger Challenge. The event, organized by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, drew 2,238 voters who selected their favorites in various categories during the February 23rd to March 1st festivities.

“This always one of the tastiest and fun weeks here in the Pasadena area,” said Pasadena Chamber President and CEO Paul Little. “I had the pleasure of tasting Cheeseburger Week offerings from Tardino Bros., Pie ‘n Burger, New York Chicken and Gyros, Burrito Express and The Stand. Each one was delightful and delicious.”

Cheeseburger Week in Pasadena ended as it started—deliciously. The Challenge expanded beyond traditional burger categories this year to include alternatives and other menu items. Not everyone voted in each category, and in some categories there were fewer entries.

“We had categories that were not strictly burgers again this year, such as Favorite Alternative to a Burger and Favorite Burrito, along with our traditional categories,” said Little. “Our goal is to involve as many restaurants as possible, introduce new customers to their offerings and entice new diners to try our Chamber member restaurants.”

During the weeklong celebration, burger enthusiasts enjoyed food created especially for the event, took advantage of great deals and meals, followed cheeseburger crawls, and participated in the voting process. From connoisseurs to casual burger eaters, everyone had the opportunity to experience the diverse cheeseburger offerings throughout Pasadena.

Here are the complete Cheeseburger Challenge® results:

 

Favorite Burger:

1. Dog Haus/Dog Haus Biergarten: 18%
2. In ’n Out: 16%
3. Tie: Pie ’n Burger, Magnolia House and The Stand 12% each

 

Favorite Burger Created for Cheeseburger Week:

1. Magnolia House 38%
2. Lucky Baldwin’s 32%
3. El Portal/Yahaira’s 12%

 

Favorite Lunch Counter Burger:

1. Shake Shack 46%
2. The Stand 23%
3. Pie ’n Burger 19%

 

Favorite Traditional/Throwback Cheeseburger:

1. In ’n Out 21%
2. Dog Haus/Dog Haus Biergarten 19%%
3. Shake Shack 11%

 

Favorite Sliders:

1. Dog Haus/Dog Haus Biergarten 27%
2. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar 21%
3. Tie King’s Row Gastropub and Lucky Baldwin’s/Twohey’s 19%

 

Favorite Gourmet Burger:

1. Dog Haus/Dog Haus Biergarten 38%
2. The Stand 33%
3. Deluxe 1717 17%

 

Favorite Alternative Burger:

1. Chick-fil-A 38%
2. Pasadena Sandwich Company 20%
3. Kathleen’s 15%

 

Favorite Bar Burger:

1. Dog Haus Biergarten 26%
2. Ruth’s Chris Steak House 21%
3. Barney’s Beanery 8% each

 

Favorite Turkey Burger:

1. True Food Kitchen 21%
2. Tie: Pie ’n Burger and Urth Café 20%
3. Barney’s Beanery 17%

 

Favorite White Table Cloth Burger:

1. Smitty’s Grill 1886 18%
2. Fogo de Chao 15%
3. The Terrace at the Langham

 

Favorite Veggie/Vegan Burger:

1. True Food Kitchen 32%
2. The Stand 31%
3. Lucky Baldwin’s 14% each

 

Favorite Burrito

1. El Cholo 22%
2. Burrito Express 21%
3. Tie: Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant and Mijares 17% each

 

Favorite Dessert After a Burger:

1. Pie ‘n Burger 26%
2. Twohey’s 18%
3. Kathleen’s 15%

 

Every restaurant was entered in the Favorite Cheeseburger category. Restaurants could then enter themselves in as many as three additional categories in the 2024 Cheeseburger Challenge.

“We really appreciate all the restaurants that took part, especially those that had special offerings or pricing. Participating restaurants reported an uptick in burger business throughout the week,” said Little.”We love the enthusiasm of the patrons, especially everyone who voted in this year’s Cheeseburger Challenge.

For information on other Pasadena Chamber of Commerce restaurant events visit www.pasadenarestaurantweek.com.

Cheeseburger Week® is a Pasadena Restaurant Week and California Restaurant Month event presented by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce.