According to city officials, and a plaque, one of the world’s most famous dishes started in Pasadena when, more than 100 years ago, a careless teenager accidentally invented the cheeseburger.

“The cheeseburger is a legacy here in Pasadena and this is a nice way to focus on Pasadena restaurants,”  said Paul Little, president and chief executive officer of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, which honors the simple but ubiquitous dish every year with Cheeseburger Week. It takes place Jan. 25-31 with about 40 restaurants, burger joints and more taking part in the citywide celebration by offering deals on cheeseburgers.

“The cheeseburger has got to be one of the top foods worldwide. You see cheeseburgers everywhere,” he said.

Cheeseburger Week returns Jan. 25-31, and on this spot along Colorado Blvd. in 1924 a 16 year-old Lionel Sternberger first put cheese on a hamburger and served it to a customer at the Rite Spot in Pasadena on Wednesday, January 1924. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

The city is the fitting location for this celebration since according to Little and other published reports, the cheeseburger was invented in 1924 by Lionel Sternberger, a teenager who was flipping burgers at his father’s restaurant called The Rite Spot. It happened when he accidentally burned a hamburger patty and didn’t want to get in trouble, so instead of throwing it away he tried to hide his mistake by putting a piece of cheese on the meat.

And thanks to that careless act  people have been enjoying cheeseburgers for more than 100 years.

So to help diners enjoy Cheeseburger Week, here are seven places to try during the seven-day event. Some of these places are still working out the prices but all are worth trying since they each offer burgers of all kinds, from classic, to sliders to special creations.

Dog Haus Biergarten

Where: 93 E. Green St.

Information: doghaus.com

This growing chain may be known for hot dogs but the burgers here are just as legit. For Cheeseburger Week the Pasadena location is offering the Haus Burger, which is served on a sweet King’s Hawaiian roll for $10 and comes with either a fountain drink, beer or well shot. Get the shot.

El Portal

Where:  695 E. Green St.

Information: instagram.com/elportal

The Mexican restaurant does a special burger only available during Cheeseburger Week, so if you don’t get it now you’ll have to wait until next year for the Zacatecas Burger. It’s made with ground beef, ground pork and chorizo and then it’s topped with ham and cheese and chipotle mayo on a brioche bun for $18. So yeah, this  one packs a punch in every bite.

Kathleen’s Restaurant

Where: 595 N. Lake Ave.

Information: instagram.com/kathleenspasadena

This is the place for avocado lovers because this restaurant’sAvocado Bacon Burger is stacked with the good stuff plus thousand island dressing for $21.95.  The restaurant’s Burger Week deal includes a free soft drink with every burger.

Kulturas Latin Kitchen and Cantina

Where: 187 N. Sierra Madre Blvd.

Information: kulturas.us

This restaurant pretty much serves it all, from tacos to pasta to seafood to pancakes. But for Cheeseburger Week you’ll want to order the double cheeseburger. It’s made with Angus beef and for the week only it comes with a free house margarita.

Lucky Baldwins in Pasadena is one of the dozens of resturants taking part in Pasadena Cheeseburger Wee from Jan-25-31. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Lucky Baldwins

Where: 17 S. Raymond Ave.

Information: luckybaldwins.com

You feeling lucky? Well then head on over to this old-school British pub for Cheeseburger Week and order the three slider sampler. Not only does it come with The English, The Irish and The American burgers, the deal includes a tasting flight of three beers.

Magnolia House

Where: 492 S. Lake Ave.

Information: www.themaghouse.com/

For something a little different check out this higher-end spot and order the French Onion Burger. The $25 Cheeseburger Week special includes fries and of course the thick burger topped with cheese, bacon and bourbon onions. You can even add an egg to it for an extra $2.

Pie ‘n Burger

Where: 913 E. California Blvd.

Information: pienburger.com

This place is about as classic as it gets when it comes to burgers. The restaurant is a very popular spot during the yearly event thanks to its cheeseburger combo, which is served with a side and soft drink for $17. Come hungry because the burgers here are filling.

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