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 — makes 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 on Jan. 21-27.
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 called The Rite Spot, when he accidentally burned a hamburger patty. He didn’t want to get in trouble, so instead of throwing it away, tried to hide his mistake by putting a piece of cheese on the meat.
The rest is burger history.
Proof of that, Little said, are 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 the LA Financial Credit Union, which is where The Rite Spot once stood.
So to celebrate the city’s major achievement, here’s what you can expect during the 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 menu, others will be creating special temporary burgers or offer discounts on existing burgers.
For a fancy burger, check out the Royal Royce Burger at the Langham Huntington Hotel Pasadena (1401 South Oak Knoll Ave.).
It’s made from a mix of short rib and brisket, topped with a butter-poached lobster tail, smoked chanterelle…
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