Pasadena Cheeseburger Week returns for 2013

With the usual Pasadena flair for maintaining tradition while promoting innovation, the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce has added a new element to the Second Annual Cheeseburger Week, Jan. 13-18, 2013.

“Last year, one of the phenomena of Cheeseburger Week was people who organized cheeseburger crawls,” said Pasadena Chamber of Commerce CEO Paul Little. “They got three or more of their friends together and went from restaurant to restaurant sampling burgers. People would order a burger and split it four ways, enjoy drinks and then go on to the next place and do it again. That way, in the course of an evening, everyone had a chance to taste the culinary excellence of four or more restaurants.”

For 2013, the Chamber took up the banner and is posting suggested “Cheeseburger Crawl” routes on the Pasadena Restaurant Week site to add flavor to the experience, and diners are encouraged to create their own routes. Some suggested routes include a Traditional Pasadena Cheeseburger Crawl, an Old Pasadena White Table Cloth Cheeseburger Crawl, an East Pasadena Cheeseburger Crawl, an Alternative Cheeseburger Crawl, a South Lake Avenue Cheeseburger Crawl, a Beer and Burgers Cheeseburger Crawl and a Sliders Cheeseburger Crawl.

As the home of the cheeseburger, created by Lionel Sternberger of the Rite Spot in 1924, Pasadena is happy to promote this part of its heritage. Participating restaurants include

• a/k/a An American Bistro
• Beckham Grill
• BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse
• Burger Continental
• Cafe 140 South
• Central Park Cafe
• Clearman’s Galley
• Clearman’s Northwoods Inn
• The Counter
• Crepe Studio
• Dog Haus
• Dog Haus Biergarten
• El Portal Restaurant
• Gale’s (lunch only)
• Green Street Restaurant
• Haven Gastropub
• Il Fornaio
• IX-tapa
• Japon Bistro
• Jersey Mike’s Subs
• Kings Row Gastropub
• M Local Mediterranean Grill
• Magnolia Lounge
• The Market on Holly
• New York Deli
• Noir Food and Wine
• The Original TOPS
• Pie ‘n Burger
• POP Champagne & Dessert Bar
• Real Food Daily
• redwhite & bluezz
• Robin’s Wood Fire BBQ
• Slater’s 50/50
• Soleil at the Sheraton
• Three Hundred Pasadena (300 Pasadena)
• Togo’s (Green and Lake)
• Toro Sushi Bar Lounge
• Trattoria Neapolis
• Umami Burger
• Vertical Wine Bistro
• Villa Sorriso
• Yahaira’s Cafe

Cheeseburger Week is organized and sponsored by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce with support from the City of Pasadena and Merrill Lynch/Bank of America. Cheeseburger Week in Pasadena is a California Restaurant Month event.

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