The Burger Challenge Pasadena to celebrate the cheeseburger
Legend has it the food item was invented in the city 100 years go
It’s a simple dish that’s become one of the world’s most famous. Meat, cheese, bun — and whatever else you want to throw into the mix — make up the beloved cheeseburger, which was invented in Pasadena 100 years ago.
“It’s actually very cool. Pasadena is not usually thought of as a culinary destination, but what could arguably be called America’s favorite food was invented in Pasadena,” said Paul Little, president and chief executive officer of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, which is honoring the 100-year anniversary of the cheeseburger during the annual Cheeseburger Week, taking place Sunday through Jan. 27.
According to Little and other published reports, the cheeseburger was invented in 1924 by Lionel Sternberger. He was a careless teenager who was flipping burgers for a living at his father’s restaurant, The
Rite Spot, when he accidentally burned a hamburger patty. He didn’t want to get in trouble, so instead of throwing it away, he tried to hide his mistake by putting a piece of cheese on the meat.
The rest is burger history. Proof of that, Little said, can be seen is old articles in local papers and an obituary in Time magazine for Sternberger in 1964. There’s even a plaque commemorating the invention of the cheeseburger in front of L.A. Financial Credit Union, which is where The Rite Spot once stood.
So to celebrate the city’s achievement, here’s what you can expect during
Cheeseburger Week’s milestone celebration.
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.
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.