Burgers, of course
The main draw of Cheeseburger Week will be the specials offered by the dozens of participating restaurants. Some will be debuting new cheeseburgers on their menus, others will be creating temporary burgers or will offer discounts on existing burgers.
For a fancy burger, check out the Royal Royce Burger at the Langham Huntington Hotel Pasadena (1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave.).
Its patty is made with short rib and brisket, and is topped with a butter-poached lobster tail, smoked chanterelle mushrooms, raclette fondue and black truffles in a charcoal brioche sprinkled with gold leaf. But save up, because this burger likely will be the most expensive of the week, costing $100.
“I’m really looking forward to trying that one. They put a lot of effort into that one and they came up with something really special,” Little said.
Little also recommends burgers from the Great Maple (300 E. Colorado Blvd.), which will have a couple of specials including the $29 Mushroom Mornay Burger, made with a five-cheese sauce, portobello mushrooms, grape tomato compote and arugula, and the $25 Steakhouse Burger, made with aged white cheddar, pickled red onions, tomato, aioli and arugula.
The Passport
Participants will be able to win prizes like free dinners and gift certificates by going to as many restaurants as possible with the new Cheeseburger Week Passport. Just download it at pasadenarestaurantweek.com and go to the spots on the list and buy something to get a stamp. Prizes will be awarded by the chamber of commerce to anyone who attends at least four places during the week.
The Burger Challenge
Restaurants can earn bragging rights once Cheeseburger Week starts, as customers will be able to vote for their favorites in a variety of categories at pasadenarestaurantweek. com. Last year, categories included things like favorite sliders, classic or gourmet burger, and best veggie burger.
The voting site will go live Sunday.
“This is just for the accolades, but restaurants really want that vote,” Little said.
For more information, go to pasadenarestaurantweek.com. The site will be updated with additional restaurants closer to the kickoff.