Patch Picks: Where to Find a Good Burger

It’s hard to say for sure who invented the hamburger, but, as a person who has done her fair share of international travel and dining, I can tell you this—America can definitely take credit for elevating this elementary dish into an art form. From no-nonsense hamburgers with your standard toppings of onion, tomato, lettuce, ketchup and mustard to gourmet creations featuring hormone-free beef and condiments like garlic aioli, there are all sorts of mouthwatering variations on the simple theme of a slab of meat between two halves of a bun. And, for those who prefer not to chow on the cow, the vegetarian options these days are so much more tempting than the bland, cardboard-textured patties of yore. 

So give McDonald’s or even In-N-Out a break and try an old favorite in a new way at one of these five local restaurants:

. There’s a whole section on the menu of this family-owned and -operated San Marino favorite devoted to “Classic Hamburgers”, which includes a bacon cheeseburger, a patty melt and a green chilies burger. Feeling especially hungry? You may be interested in the Wic’s Chubby Burger—half a pound of ground beef with bleu cheese dressing on a crusty French roll.

Plate 38. This new addition to the Pasadena scene is just a few minutes' drive north of San Marino, and prides itself on serving fresh food using local organic ingredients. I stopped in the other day and, since I’m not much of a meat-eater, picked up a smoked mozzarella burger with a portabello mushroom substituted for the beef, plus a side of gingered sweet potato fries. Mmmmm!

The Counter. I love the relaxed atmosphere of The Counter in Pasadena, not to mention their spacious outdoor patio. Choose one of their signature burgers (and yes, they’ve also got a very decent veggie option) or customize your own using a mix-and-match menu of toppings, classy cheeses—like gruyere and brie—and sauces such as chipotle aioli, sun-dried tomato vinaigrette and ginger soy glaze.

. Located in Eagle Rock and featured on the television show “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives”, The Oinkster is fast food taken up a major notch. The restaurant gets lots of props for its pastrami and pulled pork, but you can also select from several burger choices, including the Royale Burger. According to the menu, the Royale is 1/3 of a pound of Angus beef with chili, bacon and pastrami piled on. Oh, and cheese. Yowzas.

Pie ‘n’ Burger. I told my friend and fellow Patch contributor that I was writing this column about burgers, and he insisted that I mention Pie ‘n’ Burger, a family-owned joint that’s been a part of the Pasadena landscape since 1963. “It’s just a killer burger,” he said, “and wonderfully friendly wait staff who are there to help you with anything.” Let me know if you think he’s right.