During Cheeseburger Week from Jan. 7 to Jan. 12, Pasadena honors Lionel Sternberger’s genius in being the first to put cheese to hamburger and serve it at the Rite Spot in Pasadena in 1924.
Legend has it that, in 1924, teenaged Lionel Sternberger burned a hamburger patty at his father’s roadside stand, The Rite Spot at 1500 West Colorado Street in Pasadena. Rather than throw out the burger, and risk the ire of his father, young Sternberger covered his mistake with a piece of cheese and served it to a customer, who was delighted. The Aristocratic Burger, a Hamburger with Cheese, appeared on the menu of the Rite Spot through the 1940s. This is the first verified instance of a cheeseburger being served to a customer.
Forty of Pasadena’s favorite restaurants, lounges and burger joints offered their signature burgers, some special creations and deals during Pasadena Cheeseburger Week.
Some, such as El Portal offer specially created burger for Cheeseburger Week.
Pie ‘n Burger, The Counter, Dog Haus and Dog Haus Biergarten and others offer special deals for Cheeseburger Week.
Check out all the participants and see what everyone has on the menu for Cheeseburger Week at www.pasadenarestaurantweek.com/restaurants.
Again in 2018, patrons can vote for your favorites in the Cheeseburger Challenge. Who makes your favorite lunch counter burger? Who serves your favorite turkey burger? Who makes your favorite veggie burger? Who serves the best beverage with a burger? You decide during Cheeseburger Week, Jan. 7 through Jan. 12.
