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What's Your Favorite Cheeseburger? LAist Wants To Crown The Best
Nominate your favorite cheeseburger in Southern California.
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LAist Design
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Cheeseburgers are a staple in Southern California, as common as palm trees and the word “the” in front of our freeways.
That’s because the cheeseburger was reportedly invented here back in 1924. Yes, right here, in Pasadena, which recently celebrated the cheeseburger's 100th anniversary.
To honor this iconic part of our culinary culture, we’re teaming up with our friends at Smorgasburg LA to host the Tournament of Cheeseburgers.
This contest is not just any competition; it's a celebration of who has the best cheeseburger in all of SoCal, and we want YOU to help nominate and pick the winner!
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Explore the differences between traditions, from Sichuan’s spicy mala to Japan’s delicate shabu-shabu and Korea’s hearty jeongol. -
These LA-area restaurants could also receive a Bib Gourmand affordable dining award or even a star at the awards event in August. -
Feeling beachy, even if you're not near the ocean? Maybe a quality fish taco could hit the spot.
It’s all going down on Sunday, July 7, when we’ll announce the top vote getters at Smorgasburg LA at The Row in DTLA. Entrance is free, so come one and come all!
Why now, why cheeseburgers?
A quick bit of history: Legend has it that in 1924, a Pasadena roadside stand owner named Lionel Sternberger was looking to drum up business and set himself apart from the other burger spots nearby. So he slapped a slice of cheese on a burger, and served it, and customers loved it.
A sidewalk plaque on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena commemorates this magical moment and the location where the drive-up roadside stand called the Rite Spot once stood.
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The old Rite Spot road stand in Pasadena: Legend has it that the cheeseburger was born on this very spot.
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Courtesy of the Archives, Pasadena Museum of History (JAH Rite Spot 11-06-1933)
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Now, you get to make the history books.
This Tournament of Cheeseburgers is your chance to crown the best cheeseburger in Southern California.
The juicy details
We're not just looking for just any burger. We want to know about your favorite independently owned burger establishments.
Whether it's a renowned restaurant, hidden gem, or pop-up, if they're making mouthwatering burgers in SoCal, they're fair game. Here's everything you need to know:
Starting May 1 and over the next several weeks, we want you to nominate your favorite cheeseburger in Southern California — and vote for your favorites here:
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Can I self nominate? Or nominate the place where I work?
And yes, you can self nominate. If you have a restaurant or pop-up that makes a great cheeseburger, or you work at a place that makes a great cheeseburger, this is a chance to let the rest of Southern California know about it.
And on July 7, at Smorgasburg LA, we’ll crown the first, second and third place cheeseburgers.
Who will win? The burger anticipation is building. Only you can decide!
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
