Restaurants honor Lionel Sternberger’s invention of the cheeseburger in Pasadena in 1924
During Cheeseburger Week from Jan. 6 to Jan. 11, Pasadena honors Lionel Sternberger’s genius in being the first to put cheese on a hamburger and serve it at the Rite Spot in Pasadena in 1924. Forty of Pasadena’s favorite restaurants, lounges and burger joints offer their signature burgers, some special creations and great deals during Pasadena Cheeseburger Week.
In 1924, as legend has it, teenaged Lionel Sternberger burned one side of a hamburger patty at The Rite Spot, his father’s roadside stand in Pasadena, and rather than throw away the spoiled burger he masked his mistake with a piece of cheese and served it to a very appreciative customer. Sternberger’s achievement is the first verified instance of someone serving a hamburger with cheese. Over the years, Sternberger perfected his Aristocratic Burger, much to the delight of customers at The Rite Spot. Sternberger’s culinary achievement has been documented by Hamburger America, the Los Angeles Times and even Time magazine in its obituary of Sternberger.
Patrons can experience a terrific burger experience, from top-of-the-line fine dining experiences to burger stands and lounges. Those wanting a variety of experiences can organize a cheeseburger crawl or follow one of the pre-planned themed crawls.
Information on venues, specials, cheeseburger crawls and more can be found at pasadenarestaurantweek.com.
Here is the current list of participants:
- 1919 Cafe at the Huntington.
- Cameron’s Seafood.
- Central Grille.
- Clearman’s Galley.
- The Counter.
- Del Frisco’s Grille.
- Dog Haus (Hill Street location).
- Dog Haus Biergarten.
- Du-pars.
- Edwin Mills by Equator.
- El Portal Restaurant.
- Foothill.
- Green Street Restaurant.
- Kathleen’s Restaurant.
- Kings Row Gastropub.
- Lucky Baldwin’s Delirium Pub and Cafe.
- Lucky Baldwin’s Pub.
- Lucky Baldwin’s Trappiste Pub and Cafe.
- Mi Piace.
- Paul Martin’s American Grill.
- Pie ‘n Burger.
- Plate 38.
- POP Champagne & Dessert Bar.
- Robin’s Wood Fire BBQ.
- Rounds Premium Burgers.
- Ruth’s Chris Steak House – Happy Hour menu.
- Slater’s 50/50.
- The Stand.
- The Terrace at the Langham.
- Trejo’s Cantina.
- True Food Kitchen.
- Umami Burger.
- Vertical Wine Bistro.
- White Horse Lounge.
- Whole Foods Market – Arroyo.
- Women’s City Club-Thursday Mixer only.
- Yahaira’s Cafe.
Cheeseburger Week is a Pasadena Restaurant Week and California Restaurant Month event presented by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. Cheeseburger Week is generously sponsored by the City of Pasadena and Wells Fargo.
