Pie ‘N Burger

913 E. California Blvd., Pasadena, CA - (626) 795-1123

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Posted By Chris Ayers & Amy Briesch on 1/23/2012 9:05:00 PM

Since 1963, Pie ‘N Burger has been feeding Pasadena residents and CalTech students primarily two staples extolled in their name: superior pies, at least a dozen baked fresh daily, and thin, crispy-edged burgers, perfectly grilled and topped with fried onions, pickles, and housemade Thousand Island dressing in the classic California style. Little has changed inside the spacious restaurant since the ’60s: the Formica counter, old-timey stools, and tables have held hundreds of thousands – possibly millions – of customers. Since they’ve never installed a modern soda fountain, the wait staff will whip up a cola from syrup and seltzer, or maybe you’re feeling like a cold glass of buttermilk?

The pies deserve special attention. Seasonal fruit pies sport fragile crusts and ultra-flavorful fillings, like blueberry, cherry, and the curious olallieberry (a blackberry hybrid). The meringue pies stand tall against the pull of gravity with such rarities as peanut butter, butterscotch, and banana. Pie ‘N Burger also carries mincemeat pie during the wintry months, that wonderfully aromatic, old-world jumble of apples, raisins, and spices, its crust topped with a dollop of hard sauce for a British touch. Hearty breakfast plates are popular, though we’ll be satisfied as long as burgers are always available. Pie ‘N Burger is open Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sunday 7 a.m.-9 p.m. And don't forget: cash only!

Scorecard

Overall: Legendary - Worth driving from anyplace

Pie	Old-fahioned Soda
Cheeseburger	Macaroni Salad

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Reviewers Photos [Upload Your Photos]

"This flavorful mincemeat pie is christened with a dollop of hard sauce for a decidedly British touch."
Chris Ayers & Amy Briesch

"This peanut butter meringue pie had crushed peanuts folded into the smooth custard layer."
Chris Ayers & Amy Briesch

"Our waitress halved this handsome raspberry pie for us to share."
Chris Ayers & Amy Briesch

"A small sign above the pie case reads, 'Take one of our world famous homemade pies home for that special occasion or just when you want to live it up.' No argument here!"
Chris Ayers & Amy Briesch

"The crunchy-soft strata of pickles and grilled onions are a textural wonderland on this cheeseburger."
Chris Ayers & Amy Briesch

"The grilled onions, mixed with the homemade dressing, makes for a stupendous burger experience."
Chris Ayers & Amy Briesch

"Ditalini, a short tube pasta, is used in this macaroni salad, though the coarse-cut purple onions make this dish quite pungent."
Chris Ayers & Amy Briesch

"Next time, we'll skip these humdrum hash browns in favor of more pie!"
Chris Ayers & Amy Briesch

"Just a few blocks from CalTech, Pie 'N Burger is worth a drive from anywhere in greater Los Angeles."
Chris Ayers & Amy Briesch