When, in 2019, Twohey’s packed up its things and moved from Alhambra to a new location on Fair Oaks Avenue, they knew they were toting a lot of tradition and a lot of loyalty with them.
Would the longtime fans return? Would they like the new location? A few years after the move, the answer seems to be yes.
The expansive, remodeled and brightly lit location in South Pasadena was hopping on a Monday night. That says something by itself.
We visited Twohey’s as part of our Cheeseburger Week coverage, and we were happily greeted by Tanya Christos, of the original Christos family.
“We have a lot of different burgers,” she said. “Try them all, or we can wrap some up for you.”
We knew we liked this place.
We are only human beings, but we assured her that we would try our best to choose among the seven burgers on the menu.
Now, let’s go over the list, so that there’ll be no questions later, shall we?
First is The Original Stinko, with a 1/3 pound Angus beef patty, pickles, and (lots of) onions on an old-fashioned bun.
There is the Everything, which is a 1/3 pound, Angus beef patty, Tillamook cheddar, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, 1001 Island dressing (you read that right), on an old fashioned bun.
Then there is the DBA, which presumably means, “Doing Business As.” Its business is a half pound Angus beef and bacon patty, applewood smoked bacon, avocado, pepper jack cheese, arugula, tomato, and Sriracha aïoli, on a brioche bun.
And then there is The Californian, which is a half pound, Angus beef, patty with applewood, smoked bacon, avocado, caramelized onions, mozzarella cheese, and chipotle aïoli, on a brioche bun.
For those who indulge, there is also the beyond burger, which is a beyond meat patty with avocado, arugula, tomato, pickled red onions, and cucumbers, roasted red pepper, aïoli, on a wheat bun.
For those carnivores who are slightly more health-minded, there is the turkey burger, which is a handcrafted turkey patty, Havarti cheese, arugula, caramelized, onions, tomato, some roasted red pepper aïoli on a wheat bun.
But back to the beef. There is the All American burger, which is a half pound Angus beef patty, Tillamook cheddar, lettuce, and tomato, served on a brioche bun.
Finally, there is the Bacon and Bleu, which is a half pound, Angus beef, patty, applewood, smoked bacon, blue cheese, crumbles, arugula, red onion, tomato, and bleu cheese dressing on a brioche bun.
That’s a lot of burgers that we obviously could not finish between us. So here’s what we did: we chose three of the burgers, each of which were cut in half. We opted for the Everything, the Californian, and the All American.
My dining associate also requested a Stinko, “just because,” which made sense to me. He probably ate it in the car on the way home.
Firstly, the Everything burger was exactly that. Tall and juicy, and served with their special garlic aïoli french fries. The burger is meaty and tasty with just the right amount of char. It went quickly.
We next chose The Californian, with its impressive slices of avocado along with the smoked bacon and the mozzarella cheese. It was distinctive and different from the first burger. Just as delicious, but the bacon and avocado made a big difference. We chose their potato salad to go along with the Californian. It was “picnicky,” which is a good thing. And not only that, but customers who order the Californian during Cheeseburger week also get a free Rings/Fries combo with their meal.
Next up was the All-American, which would’ve been more than enough had we not already had two impressive cheeseburgers. It’s a pretty basic and yummy cheeseburger, served on a nicely toasted brioche.
Twohey’s holds cheeseburgers close to their heart for a good reason. Their burgers have drawn friends and fans from all over the San Gabriel Valley for decades. Apparently they don’t all just come for the sundaes. But that’s another story.
Twohey’s serves a range of tasty cheeseburgers in a fun and friendly environment with indoor and outdoor dining as well as a bar. It’s a terrific place to bring your friends and eat everything in sight.
I’m sure we’ll return when it’s time to schedule Sundae Week.
Twohey’s is at 424 Fair Oaks Ave., South Pasadena 91030. (626) 284-7387. Www.Twohey’s.com.
