Cheeseburger Challenge Results

Burger Lovers have spoken: Cheeseburger challenge

2026 RESULTS ARE IN!

 

BURGER FANS PICK THEIR FAVORITES IN THE 2026 CHEESEBURGER CHALLENGE®. RESULTS ARE IN!

1,796 voters chose their favorites in multiple categories during 2026 Cheeseburger Week® in Pasadena

PASADENA, CA- Pasadena celebrated with enthusiasm and delicious burgers during Cheeseburger Week® January 25th to 31st. Visitors enjoyed food created especially for the event, took advantage of great deals, followed cheeseburger crawls and voted in the 2026 Cheeseburger Challenge®. In all, 1,796 people voted online to determine favorites in categories ranging from Favorite Burger to Favorite Dessert after a Burger. 

“We added a Favorite Burger along Route 66 and Colorado Boulevard this year in honor of the centennial of the Mother Road and the 150th anniversary of Pasadena’s main street. We also had categories that were not strictly burgers again this year, such as Favorite Alternative to a Burger and Favorite Burrito,” said Pasadena Chamber President and CEO Paul Little.  “Our goal is to involve as many of our member restaurants and possible and help them introduce their menus to new customers. It is also a lot of tasty  fun!” 

Cheeseburger Week 2026 in Pasadena ended at 11:59pm on Saturday, January 31st. Delicious burgers and very special selections were tasted by

TASty Cheeseburger Week fare

 people from throughout Southern California. Some visited old favorites and some tried a new venue. Added fun and flavor came from new participants and those who created burgers especially for the week. 

“Cheeseburger Week is a great way to end January with excitement and friendly competition among participating Chamber member restaurants,” according to Mr. Little. “I enjoyed way too many burgers during Cheeseburger Week. It may mean some calorie counting in February, but my tastebuds were certainly delighted in January.” 

Here are the complete 2026 Cheeseburger Challenge® results:

Favorite Burger:

  1. Dog Haus/Dog Haus Biergarten: 26%

  2. The Stand 25%

  3. Islands/Pie ‘n Burger 7% (Tie)

Favorite Burger Along Route 66/Colorado Boulevard:

  • Shake Shack 23%
  • Twohey’s 15%
  • Lucky Baldwin’s Pub/Trappiste Pub/Ruth’s Chris Steak House/Kings Row Gastropub 8.5%

Favorite Burger Created for Cheeseburger Week: 

  1. Magnolia House French Onion Burger 21%%

  2. Taproom at the Langham Empanadas Animal Style 18%

More tasty Cheesebruger Week fare from Kulturas

  1. De-Luxe 1717 Kebab Burger 12%

Favorite Lunch Counter Burger:

  1. The Stand 21%

  2. Pie ‘n Burger 19%

  3. Islands/Shake Shack 15%

Favorite Traditional/Throwback Cheeseburger:

  1. The Stand 26%

  2. Dog Haus/Dog Haus Biergarten 19%

  3. Pie ‘n Burger 11%

Favorite Sliders:

  1. Dog Haus/Dog Haus Biergarten 28%

  2. Twohey’s 18%

  3. Lucky Baldwin’s (all)/Kings Row Gastropub 16%

Favorite Gourmet Burger:

  1. The Stand 29.5% 

  2. Dog Haus/Dog Haus Biergarten 28%

Delicious burgers from Mr. Mushroom Burger Farm.

  1. Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Win Bar 8%

Favorite Alternative Burger:

  1. Chick-fil-A 22%

  2. Raymond 1886 Bison Burger 13%

  3. Mr. Mushroom Burger Farm 9%

Favorite Bar Burger:

  1. Dog Haus Biergarten 34%

  2. Islands 18%

  3. Kings Row Gastropub/Ruth’s Chris Steak House 14% each

Favorite Turkey Burger:

  1. Pie ‘n Burger 24%

  2. True Food Kitchen 22%

  3. Urth Café 20%

Favorite White Table Cloth Burger:

  1. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar 23%

  2. Fogo de Chao 17%

  3. Smitty’s grill 13%

Favorite Veggie/Vegan Burger:

  1. The Stand 27%

  2. True Food Kitchen 24%

  3. Twohey’s 13% each

Favorite Burrito

  1. Burrito Express 48%

  2. Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant 19%

  3. Mijares Mexican Restaurant 18%

Favorite Dessert After a Burger:

  1. Pie ‘n Burger 31%

  2. Flemings prine Steakhouse and Wine Bar 22%

  3. Twohey’s 11% 

Every restaurant was entered in the Favorite Cheeseburger category. Restaurants could then enter themselves in as many as three additional categories in the 2026 Cheeseburger Challenge®. 

 

“We really appreciate all the restaurants that took part, especially those that had special offerings or pricing. Participating restaurants reported an uptick in burger business throughout the week,” said Mr. Little. “We really appreciate everyone who enjoyed a cheeseburger and voted in this year’s Cheeseburger Challenge®. “

For information on other Pasadena Chamber of Commerce restaurant events visit www.pasadenarestaurantweek.com. 

Cheeseburger Week is a Pasadena Restaurant Week and California Restaurant Month event presented by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. Cheeseburger Week is generously sponsored by Wells Fargo.

Cheeseburger Week® and Cheeseburger Challenge® are registered trademarks of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association. 

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