Pasadena is commemorating a century-plus-one of the cheeseburger with a citywide celebration marking teenager Lionel Sternberger’s 1924 culinary innovation at The Rite Spot. Cheeseburger Week 2025, organized by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce with their restaurant members, brings together 40 restaurants, lounges, and burger joints for an extended celebration from Sunday, January 22, to Saturday, February 1, 2025.
In 1924, at his father’s roadside stand along Colorado Boulevard (then Colorado Street) in west Pasadena, teenaged Lionel Sternberger transformed a cooking mishap into culinary history. Rather than throw away a spoiled burger, he masked his mistake with a piece of cheese and served it to a very appreciative customer.
Word soon spread and customers flocked to The Rite Spot for what became known as “The Aristocratic Burger, A Hamburger with Cheese” — the first verified instance of someone serving a hamburger with cheese to a customer. Over the years, Sternberger perfected his creation, much to the delight of his patrons.
The Chamber-organized event features the Cheeseburger Challenge, where visitors can vote for their favorites in multiple categories at www.pasadenarestaurantweek.
Categories include Favorite White Table Cloth Cheeseburger, Favorite Sliders, Favorite Lunch Counter Burger, and Favorite Cocktail with a Burger. Voting opens January 22 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on February 1.
Participating establishments are offering their signature burgers, special creations, and deals throughout the celebration. Pie ‘n Burger presents a $17 meal deal, while Dog Haus and Dog Haus Biergarten offer Haus Burgers for $10 including a beverage. Shake Shack customers can receive free fries using the code FRYFUN at ordering. For other special offerings, visit www.
The festival showcases diverse interpretations of the classic dish, from Kathleen’s Restaurant’s salmon burger to Lucky Baldwin’s special slider combo available at all three locations.
Patrons can experience options ranging from fine dining establishments to casual burger stands, with both dine-in and take-out options available. Those seeking variety can join pre-planned themed crawls or organize their own cheeseburger crawl.
Sternberger’s creation has been documented by Hamburger America, the Los Angeles Times, and Time magazine in its obituary of Sternberger. This celebration is part of Pasadena Restaurant Week and California Restaurant Month, and is generously sponsored by Wells Fargo.
