Pie 'n Burger
Hamburger restaurant · South
913 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91106
Highlights
Classic burgers, seasonal fruit pies, and old-school diner vibes
Classic burgers, seasonal fruit pies, and old-school diner vibes
"Pie 'n burger makes one of the best burgers in Los Angeles. Walking into the diner is like walking into the past. A long counter stretches the length of the kitchen. You watch the guy at the griddle grilling your burger. You salivate over the pies sitting on shelves. When you finish your burger- which has a wad of crunchy lettuce, pickles, and thousand island dressing- the waitress will come ask, "Ready for pie?" Say yes. Then they'll ring you up at the old cash register (cash only) and you'll roll back into the present feeling full of wonder and pie." - OSSO
"Pasadena claims to be the birthplace of the cheeseburger, and while the truth of such things is lost to history, there is no denying the enduring prominence of Pie ‘n Burger. A legend since 1963, this diner turned ode to all things burger continues to turn out impeccable California classics, complete with special sauce and lightly melted American cheese. The burgers come without cheese, so make sure to specify if a slice is desired (it costs 50 cents to add on). Make sure to save room for a slice of freshly-baked pie at the end of any meal here. Know before you go: Pie ‘n Burger is quite small and gets busy during peak hours, so prepare for a wait" - Eater Staff
"A longstanding Pasadena standby, emblematic of the City of Roses’ old-school restaurant institutions with reliably busy service." - Eater Staff
"Pasadena institution Pie ‘N Burger has one thing going for it: nostalgia. Walking into the wood-paneled space feels like a portal to when the place first opened in 1963, with a long diner counter that takes up the whole restaurant, old-fashioned menu boards with antique fonts, and servers that only accept cash. Unfortunately, you’ll probably need to bring more cash than you’d expect, because a single cheeseburger and fries comes in at the very un-nostalgic price of $18 (with no drink). The price would be easier to swallow if it were a great burger, but the patties at Pie ‘N Burger are underseasoned and tend to crumble apart at the slightest touch. The pies, on the other hand, are just fine, and you’ll likely be much happier getting your old-school diner fix from a slice of Dutch apple a la mode. Either way, don’t be surprised if you walk out of Pie ‘N Burger thinking about how cute it is inside, and not much else. Food Rundown Cheeseburger People come to Pie ‘N Burger for a taste of the past. With its huge wedge of iceberg, tomato, raw onions, thousand island, and american cheese, this classic burger looks the part, but it doesn’t hold up—literally. The soggy bun and loosely packed patty start to give out after the first few bites, leaving you with a rapidly disintegrating mess. photo credit: Jakob Layman Patty Melt This is a better option structurally, and the caramelized onions and melted cheese add some needed oomph. But it shares the same core issue as the cheeseburger: a crumbly overcooked patty that’s in desperate need of salt. photo credit: Andrew Ryce Boysenberry Pie This is like a pop tart converted into a fortified wall of jammy fruit filling—satisfying, but a little too sweet. Dutch Apple Pie This is the best order at Pie ‘N Burger. It’s a solid slice of apple pie with a spiced crumble topping, and like most desserts, it tastes better with a scoop of ice cream on top. A heads up though: on our last visit we were asked if we wanted our slice warmed, but it still arrived cold from the microwave. photo credit: Andrew Ryce" - Andrew Ryce
"Order a slice of pie with a burger and fries, or snag a whole one from Pie ‘n Burger. The bakers keep everyone guessing throughout the year with seasonal specials, but look for strawberry, peach, and blackberry in the summer months, or November and December pies made with minced meat. One thing is certain for this longstanding restaurant, apple, and pecan pies are available year-round." - Mona Holmes
