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A Pasadena pub owner's perfect afternoon: Belgian lager, sunny patio and no rush
This week on Food Friday, we talk to Lucky Baldwins.
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Lucky Baldwins
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13:39
World Cup pub crawl: Lucky Baldwins Pub
Guests: Peggy Simonian, owner-operator of Lucky Baldwins Pub, and Patsy Sutton, general manager of Lucky Baldwins Pub
With the early history of soccer first documented in England, that's where you'll find the roots of the sport. Not always easy to get there from Los Angeles — but a local British pub with a few locations to choose from brings you close.
The operators of Lucky Baldwins Pub joined AirTalk Friday host Austin Cross to explain what makes their atmosphere special — it's all about the sports and traditional British bites, pints and pasties.
About the owner
Owner-operator Peggy Simonian was working for the British Tourist Authority when they decided to bring a pub to Pasadena. Three years after opening, they got their following after hosting their first Belgian Beer Festival.
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13:39
World Cup pub crawl: Lucky Baldwins Pub
What sets their food apart? The beer batter
"I think there's this stigma around British food that it's a little bland," said general manager Patsy Sutton.
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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.
Lucky Baldwins' most popular dish is the fish 'n' chips.
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Courtesy Peggy Simonian
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The ultimate experience in the eyes of the owner
"I like it when it's a nice sunny day outside our patio in Old Towne ... enjoy a nice Belgian beer ... listen to the music and enjoy the California weather," Simonian said.
She added that her go-to beers currently include a Belgian lager, blonde or tripel. It's all about the mood.
Restaurant details
- Lucky Baldwins Pub first opened in 1996 and now has two Pasadena locations and one in Sierra Madre.
- They're 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
- Chicken Curry Pastie — a handheld pie with traditional British chicken curry
How to visit
- Address (Old Town Pasadena): 17 S. Raymond Ave, Pasadena
- Hours: Monday–Sunday: 9 a.m.-1:30 a.m.
- Cost: Fish 'n' chips cost $18; bangers and mash cost $19; and the pasties (with a choice of crisps or fries) cost $14.
You can find the times for their Delirium Pub by clicking here, and their Trappiste Pub by clicking here.
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