Looking for some British pub food and World Cup soccer? What we tried on the Lucky Baldwins menu

Manny Valladares is always looking for the next tasty bite to feature on "AirTalk" Food Friday on LAist 89.3.

Published May 22, 2026 2:35 PM

In the forefront, sits a basket holding steak fries, a lemon, fried fish, and tartar sauce. In the background, there are other food items, as well as a cup.

With the World Cup right around the corner, soccer is top of mind for many fans. If you're short the funds to pay for a ticket to the matches (and, let's be real, that's most of us), perhaps you'd be interested in a British pub here in L.A.

The operators of Lucky Baldwins Pub joined AirTalk Friday host Austin Cross to explain what makes their atmosphere special. After all, England is home to the roots of modern soccer, but it's not always easy to get there from Los Angeles.

At Lucky Baldwins, it's all about the sports and traditional British bites, pints and pasties and bringing a piece of England to Pasadena.

About the pub's roots

Peggy Simonian, the owner-operator, was working for the British Tourist Authority when she and her business partner decided to bring a "pub atmosphere" to Pasadena back in 1996. It took another three years for the pub to start attracting a real following, spurred by their first Belgian Beer Festival.

She said the pub has always brought in soccer fans and that's only grown over the years.

Listen 13:39

World Cup pub crawl: Lucky Baldwins Pub

Learn more about the pub's origins and what to expect during the World Cup.

What sets their food apart? The beer batter

"I think there's this stigma around British food that it's a little bland," said Patsy Sutton, the pub's general manager.

She says the fish and chips knock people's socks off — and it all comes down to the beer batter.

They use locally sourced Pacific cod instead of its Atlantic relative and an undisclosed pale ale. This combo drives the taste.

Two slices of savory pie, salad, and a sauce on a plate

The ultimate experience in the eyes of the owner

"I like it when it's a nice sunny day outside our patio in Old Town ... enjoy a nice Belgian beer ... listen to the music and enjoy the California weather," Simonian said.

Restaurant details

Lucky Baldwins Pub first opened in 1996 and now has two Pasadena locations and one in Sierra Madre.
The pub is an official bar partner with LAFC.
They host: Pasadena Reds, a local Liverpool FC support group; Los Angeles Hammers, a West Ham FC support group; and Eastside Gooners, a local support group for Arsenal FC.
They also have special events tied to the Belgian Beer Festival and Oktoberfest.

Menu items we tried

Fish 'n' Chips — cod dipped in ale batter with a side of steak fries and tartar sauce
Bangers and Mash — two pork sausages with peas and mashed potatoes (also available with fries).
Cornish Pastie — a handheld pie with minced meat (Pro tip: it's pronounced PAH-stee, not PAY-stee.)
Chicken Curry Pastie — a handheld pie with traditional British chicken curry

When they expect the largest crowds

Because the games are in North America, Simonian said they'll be showing all the games. She cautioned the pub may be busy, particularly when Mexico, the United States and England have matches.

How to visit Lucky Baldwins

Address (Old Town Pasadena): 17 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena
Hours: Daily: 9 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Cost: Fish and chips cost $18; bangers and mash cost $19; and the pasties (with a choice of crisps or fries) cost $14.

Sister pub locations

Delirium Pub (Sierra Madre)
Trappiste Pub (Pasadena)

What should we try next?

Have a question or comment about a segment? Want to pitch us a story?

Fill out the form below, and please include an email address so we're able to follow up if necessary! We're not able to respond to every inquiry, but all submissions are read and reviewed by our production team.

Name *

City *

Comment *