Pasadena Cheeseburger Challenge winners announced

Cheeseburger Week in Pasadena culminated with the announcement of the winners of this year’s Cheeseburger Challenge.

The city celebrated all things cheeseburger from Feb. 23 to March 1 where everyone from connoisseurs to casual burger eaters enjoyed food crafted especially for the event, took advantage of deals and special meals, followed cheeseburger crawls and voted in the 2025 Cheeseburger Challenge. 

“This always one of the tastiest and fun weeks here in the Pasadena area,” Pasadena Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Paul Little said in a statement. “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.”

More than 2,200 voters selected their favorites in the 2025 Cheeseburger Challenge. Organizers noted that statistically, 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.” Little said. “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.” 

Results from the Cheeseburger Challenge:

Favorite burger

1. Dog Haus/Dog Haus Biergarten 18%
2. In ’n Out 16%
3. 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 both 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%

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 (percentage not available)

Favorite veggie/vegan burger

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

Favorite burrito

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

Favorite dessert after a burger

• Pie ‘n Burger 26%
• Twohey’s 18%
• Kathleen’s 15%

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

“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,” Little said.”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, see pasadenarestaurantweek.com.