Another serving of Cheeseburger Week

About 40 restaurants, including Dog Haus and Pie ’n Burger, are taking part in the yearly Cheeseburger Week in Pasadena, where the burger variation is said to have originated. courtesy OF Dog Haus; Keith Birmingham — Staff Photographer

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By Richard Guzman

riguzman@scng.com

Followinieg a postponement caused by the recent L.A. County wildfires, cheeseburgers specials are back in Pasadena as the city celebrates the sandwich that put it on the culinary map.

Usually held in January, the annual Pasadena Cheeseburger Week returns Sunday through March 1 with about 40 restaurants offering deals on cheeseburgers of all kinds throughout the city, which is where the simple but ubiquitous dish was invented more than 100 years ago.

And for Paul Little, president and chief executive officer of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, organizer of the event, it was important to continue with the tradition as people continue to recover from the fires.

“We thought that doing something which is a little whimsical and a little fun and is also delicious would be a good thing. And it also drives business to our restaurants who are suffering from all of this as well,” he said.

According to Little, as well as published reports, the cheeseburger was invented in 1924 by Lionel Sternberger, who as a teenager was flipping burgers for a living at his father’s restaurant, The Rite Spot.

One day he accidentally burned a hamburger patty and instead of throwing it away, he tried to hide his mistake by putting a piece of cheese on the meat. And the cheeseburger was born.

Today there’s even a plaque commemorating the occurrence in front of the LA Financial Credit Union, former site of The Rite Spot.

The weekly promotion includes specials on classic cheeseburgers like those being offered at Pie ’n Burger, which is known for its hefty sandwich.

Restaurant chains will also participate, including Dog Haus, which will serve a $10 Haus Burger and drink at both its Pasadena locations, as well as Shake Shack where the cheeseburger price will be lowered to $5 for the week.

Those looking for something more adventurous can check out the salmon burger meal at Kathleen’s Restaurant’s, or head to Magnolia House for the Holy Shitake Burger.

It’s made with wagyu patties, porcini rub, confit shiitakes and sauce on a sesame seed bun.

“We got so many restaurants doing something very special,” Little said.

For more information, go to pasadenarestaurantweek.com.

The site will be updated with additional restaurants closer to the kickoff.