Pasadena, Birthplace of the Cheeseburger, Requests You Eat a Few There and Vote For Your Favorites During Upcoming Cheeseburger Week

Pasadena, California has long claimed the rights of creation to the almighty American cheeseburger (yes, someone "invented" draping a beef patty with cheese), and now they are rallying cheeseburger eaters to come, dine, digest, and vote for the city's best during Pasadena Cheeseburger Week.

First, the invention backstory, which involves a teenager named Lionel Sternberger, who worked in the early 1920s at his pop's restaurant, The Rite Spot:

For the Cheeseburger Challenge, it's pretty simple: Eat a cheeseburger at a participating Pasadena restaurant during Cheeseburger Week, and then go online and cast your vote in a variety of categories. And not all cheeseburgers are old school beef and cheese; many restaurants are serving their own interpretations and twists, from veggie burgers to pastrami burgers and a whole lot in between.

Here are the participating restaurants, some of which are making special cheeseburgers or offering Cheeseburger Week deals:
a/k/a An American Bistro, Beckham Grill, Burger Continental, Clearman’s, The Counter, Crepe Studio, The Dog Haus, Dog Haus Biergerten, El Portal, Gale’s (lunch only), Green Street Restaurant, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Kings Row Gastropub, Lebanese Kitchen, Lovebirds Cafe, M Local Mediterranean Grill, Magnolia Lounge, Noir Food and Wine, Pie ‘n Burger, POP Champagne & Dessert Bar, Quadrupel Brasserie, Red, White + Bluezz, Soleil at the Sheraton, Toro Sushi Bar and Lounge, Vertical Wine Bistro, and Yahaira’s Cafe.

Voting opens on Sunday, January 15th and ends on Monday, January 23rd.