The 18 Best Restaurants In Pasadena

"Few things are more cathartic than sitting with a good sandwich and listening to jazz music, which is why we rarely skip Perry’s anytime we’re in Pasadena. The two-decades-old sandwich shop isn’t jazz-themed per se, but as you walk in and spot portraits of famous musicians adorning the walls and hear Duke Ellington on from the speakers, it’s clear that music is a priority. That and delicious sandwiches, of course. The menu is wide-ranging, with everything from turkey clubs to tuna melts to hot pastrami with pepperoncini, but if it’s your first time, the Hey Joe! is a must. Filled with roast beef, pastrami, a hot link, cheese, onion, diced peppers, mayo, and mustard, this isn’t a light sandwich, but it’s somehow well-balanced—spicy, savory, and salty, with a nice snap courtesy of that hotlink." - brant cox, sylvio martins, nikko duren