Pasadena Cheeseburger Week

January 26–31, 2026

Pasadena Cheeseburger Week celebrates the city where the cheeseburger was invented, featuring special burgers, exclusive deals, and a citywide dining celebration every January.

Where was the cheeseburger invented? Right here in Pasadena.

In 1924, a young Pasadena cook named Lionel Sternberger added a slice of cheese to a hamburger at his father’s roadside stand on West Colorado Boulevard. A legend was born, and Pasadena has been living up to the hype ever since.

From January 26–31, 2026, Pasadena Cheeseburger Week turns the city into a weeklong celebration of that iconic bite. Local restaurants roll out signature burgers, creative one-offs, and special deals, while visitors and locals eat their way through neighborhoods, vote for their favorites, and soak up Pasadena’s amazing food scene. The 2026 edition adds an extra layer of nostalgia with nods to Route 66 and Colorado Boulevard’s legacy as Pasadena’s main street, both of which helped shape the city’s dining culture at the same time the cheeseburger was first served here in the 1920s.

Event Details

When: January 26–31, 2026

Where: Restaurants throughout Pasadena

Who It’s For: Food lovers, history buffs, weekend wanderers, and anyone who believes a great burger deserves proper recognition

Throughout the week, dozens of Pasadena restaurants participate with special menus, limited-time burgers, and exclusive offers. Many also take part in the Cheeseburger Challenge, where diners help decide who serves the best classic cheeseburger, veggie option, creative twist, or perfect pairing.

Find participating restaurants and information about where to vote on the official Pasadena Cheeseburger Week website.

Top Experiences

Take the Cheeseburger Challenge

This is the main event. Order featured burgers at participating restaurants, scan the menus, and vote for your favorites across multiple categories. It’s competitive, delicious, and very Pasadena.

Walk the Streets Where It All Started

Colorado Boulevard is more than a dining strip, it’s part of Pasadena’s story. Build your own Cheeseburger Crawl, hopping between longtime favorites, modern eateries, and neighborhood spots that show how far the cheeseburger has come since 1924.

Mix History With Your Meal

Between bites, check out Pasadena landmarks, browse local shops, and enjoy the city. Cheeseburger Week pairs perfectly with museum visits, Old Pasadena strolls, and people-watching from a sunny patio. Especially when you need to walk off your calories between meals.

Try Something Unexpected

Pasadena chefs don’t play it safe. Expect inventive toppings, globally inspired flavors, plant-based burgers, and even dessert-style interpretations that stretch the definition of “cheeseburger” in the best way.

More Ways to Enjoy Cheeseburgers in Pasadena

Cheeseburger Week may be once a year, but Pasadena’s cheeseburger story is always on the menu.

  • Take a picture at the Cheeseburger Plaque located at 1500 W Colorado Blvd, marking the spot where the cheeseburger was first served in 1924. It’s a quick stop, a fun photo-op, and a must for food-history fans.
  • Hit up Pie ’n Burger, an iconic 62-year-old Pasadena institution that’s been voted one of the Top 10 Cheeseburgers in California by Best Things California. It’s old-school, no-frills, and exactly the kind of place that keeps Pasadena’s burger legacy alive.
  • Get a French Onion Soup burger at The Stand, along with other creative burger builds that prove Pasadena chefs are still pushing the classic in new directions.
  • If your eyes are bigger than your stomach, check out Super Burger, where the portions will make you gasp and the flavors will make your mouth water.
  • Find more amazing cheeseburgers to try here.

Turn Your Visit Into a Weekend Getaway

Build your Pasadena weekend like a great cheeseburger. Start with a solid base, a comfortable hotel in a walkable neighborhood. Layer on museum stops, shopping, and local attractions, then stack in restaurant visits across the city. Finish it off with a few memorable meals that bring it all together. During Pasadena Cheeseburger Week, everything clicks into place for a weekend that’s well layered, satisfying, and worth savoring from the first bite to the last.

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