Photo courtesy PasadenaRestaurantWeek
The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce announced the postponement of its annual Cheeseburger Week celebration to late February 2025, prioritizing ongoing emergency and immediate relief efforts for those deeply affected by the Eaton Fire. The citywide celebration, which commemorates Pasadena as the birthplace of the cheeseburger in 1924, will now run from Sunday, February 23, 2025, to Saturday, March 1, 2025.
“We thought it best to postpone Cheeseburger Week for a month until we all understand the extend of the devastation and people most directly impacted may be starting to look for ways to get back on their feet,” said Pasadena Chamber President and CEO Paul Little. “We are all dealing with the Eaton Fire tragedy and doing what we can to help those in so much need. Hosting Cheeseburger Week seems to be a distraction at this time, not the celebration it should be.”
Forty restaurants, burger joints and more will participate in the citywide celebration.
“We are in discussions with participants on how they can best support the victims of the Eaton Fire and those who worked so hard to battle the fires and keep local neighborhoods safe,” added Little. “The delay will give us time to see if there is a way we can make the event benefit those who were so devastated by the fires. And we hope to be able to bring a little cheer, maybe a smile, and a lot of cheeseburgers to those who may need them most.”
The event honors Lionel Sternberger’s genius in being the first to put cheese on a hamburger and serve it at the Rite Spot in Pasadena in 1924. Cheeseburger Week® is organized by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce with their restaurant members, featuring signature burgers, special creations, and great deals throughout the week.
The popular Cheeseburger Challenge® will continue as planned during the new dates. Participants will still be able to vote for their favorites in several categories at www.pasadenarestaurantweek.com during Cheeseburger Week®.
The celebration is part of Pasadena Restaurant Week and California Restaurant Month, presented by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and generously sponsored by Wells Fargo. Participating establishments will offer their signature burgers, special creations, and promotional deals during the celebration.
