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Restaurant Picks in Pasadena, California

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Best Gourmet Pizza


Settebello Pizzaria
625 East Colorado Boulevard Pasadena, CA 91101 | (626) 795-9950. This pizzaria opened summer of 2011 and is their 3rd location in the United States. Located in the downtown theater district, it will easily receive plenty of visitors. We arrived on a Friday at 5:30pm and by 6pm the restaurant was filled to capacity. Stephan, our delightful server, provided gracious, helpful and exemplary advice and service. The wine and drink selections were fantastic. Our salad was a generous portion of fresh greens that just needed a tad more balsamic dressing. Our children, who can be picky about their pizza, finished every single bite on their plates. They loved the fennel sausage. My wife and I ordered the spinach/prosciutto pizza special and it was mouth watering. We finished our dinner with the homemade tiramisu. It was so good we ordered a second. You must give it a try and let us know what you think.

Best Fast Food

Bobbys Place (Rick's Drive-In)
We eat at Bobbies on a regular basis. The customer service is exceptional and the food is much better than a typical fast food restaurant. Since 1964, the outdoor-only seating authenticates the old-fashioned hamburger-stand experience. The simple menu board lists staples like hamburgers, tacos, burritos and tostadas. French fries can be folded inside the "Spuderito," a concoction of shredded cheddar, french fries and plenty of fiery hot sauce in an over sized flour tortilla. Their beans are freshly homemade. Their tacos and bean and cheese burritos are requested often from our children. You have to try their pineapple shake.

Tops @ Walnut and Allen
Review Since 1952, they have been serving up the best zucchini fries, onion rings (the small size is plentiful) and a variety of food including hamburgers and gyros. The customer service is exceptional and the food is very good.

Connal's
Connal's has been around since 1956. We love grinders with seasoned lettuce and your choice of meat. Their fried chicken sandwich is another favorite of ours. Our children adore their traditional grilled cheese, and their seasoned french fries.

Best Burger

Pie 'N Burger
Located at 913 E. California Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91106 (626) 795-1123. Since 1963. A great casual atmosphere. We love to sit at the counter and finish off a great burger with a piece of delicious fresh pie or take a whole one home.

Best Mexican

Lupita's
2383 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107 (626) 795-3499. Our children's favorite spot. This lovely family run business serves the freshest, most delicious salsas and many of your favorite Mexican dishes, including fish tacos with an amazing sauce.

Best American


Kathleen's
595 N Lake Ave Pasadena, CA 91101 (626) 578-0722. Since 1982, Efren Bugarin and Kathleen Meymarian have offered a wide variety of delicious meals. The staff, atmosphere and food have always been exceptional at very good prices. I would recommend this restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Our family visits often and loves to even take out their amazing creamed soups to dine at home with yummy french bread and butter. Eating there you will feel right at home and will enjoy this relaxing quite environment. Fresh fish daily, grilled vegetarian sandwiches, lamb kabobs and delicious chocolate cake and strawberry crepes are but a few of our favorites. They are now offering fresh baked goods like coffee cake, banana bread and cookies gift wrapped to go for any occasion. They close on Sundays after brunch.

 

The Only Place In Town
110 W. Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre, CA (626) 355-3502. If you are on the east side of Pasadena, looking for a great all American menu then this is a great place to visit for good atmosphere, service and delicious food. Located in the heart of small-town Sierra Madre, this is a great pick for breakfast, lunch or dinner. This is owned by Barney's LTD, so their fish and chips are the same served at Barney's Limited in Old Town Pasadena, but you can avoid the Old Town Pasadena crowd and parking. We highly recommend their fish and chips the homemade mac and cheese and homemade ice cream. Barney's Limited is located at 93 W Colorado Blvd, Old Pasadena, CA (626) 577-2739.

Best Steaks

Beckham Grill
77 W Walnut Street, Pasadena, CA 91103 (626) 796-3399. Since 1978, this comfortable, formal restaurant has been serving up delicious, traditional English prime rib with Yorkshire pudding, steaks and fish. Everything on the menu is fantastic. You will love their French Onion Soup.

After 37 Jolly Good Years, Old Pasadena's Beckham Bar & Grill Is Closing
The long beloved Pasadena staple Beckham Grill and Bar in Old Pasadena will close on August 8.  Some of the most popular Beckham dishes will be moved to Central Park Restaurant at 219 S Fair Oaks Ave in Pasadena.  (7/7/2015) Courtesy of Pasadena Now.

Best Chinese

PF Chang
Located in the Paseo Colorado at 260 E Colorado Blvd. Suite 201 Pasadena, CA 91101 (626) 356-9760. This is the only chain restaurant listed in our 'Best Of' recommendations. This is because we have not found a local Chinese restaurant that we can recommend for price and consistent good quality of food. We recommend eating outside on the patio, since the indoor dining is very noisy. Their outside heaters work well even on cold evenings and the view is nice of the courtyard. Our favorites are the Mongolia beef, honey chicken and spring rolls. The lettuce wraps are always popular.

Best Italian and Pizza

Dominicos
2411 East Washington Boulevard Pasadena, CA 91104 | (626) 797-6459. Now into their 3rd generation as a family restaurant Dominicos has been making pizza the way you want since 1960. Every dinner is made with Mama Rosa's original recipes. They are known for their pizza and mouthwatering Antipasto Salad with homemade Italian dressing. Their meatball sandwiches are out of this world. We love to eat in but take out more often. Their Mid-Week Pizza Special (pizza, salad and soda) and Family Feast for Four (ravioli, salad, garlic bread) are great deals and quite delicious.

Best Indian

Akbar Cuisine of India
Located in Old Town at 44 N. Fair Oaks Ave. Pasadena, CA 626-577-9916 . The tandoor baked bread is amazing. My favorite is the Green Herb Nan. My favorite dish is the Bengan ka Salan which is sauteed eggplant prepared in coconut-tamarind sauce. Other favorites are the Coco Lamb and their Banarasi Pilao rice which is made with nuts and dried fruit. Our only complaint with this restaurant is hit or miss service.

Best Seafood

Cameron's Seafood
Located at 1978 E Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107 (626) 793-3474. Perfect place for a great piece of fish with your choices of potatoes, rice, coleslaw, clam chowder, salads, etc. A casual comfortable atmosphere with plenty of space and a full bar are pluses. Fresh fish is also available at the front of the restaurant to buy and make at home.

Best Soul Food

Roscoe's House of Chicken N' Waffles
Located at 830 N. Lake Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101 (626) 791-4890. Since 1976 Roscoe's has been serving up their famous chicken and waffles. If you like fried chicken and you like waffles, then I highly recommend trying them together. It is like having desert with your main meal. The combination of having the two together is hard to describe, but once you try it you will return again and again.

Best Salad and California Cuisine

Green Street Restaurant
Located at 146 S. Shoppers Lane, Pasadena, CA 91101 (626) 577-7170. For a taste of true Pasadena, you must try a Diane Salad at Green Street. Since 1979, this restaurant has been serving up California cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Green Street is the place where Pasadena residents go to meet old friends, discuss business or just enjoy a fabulous meal. If the weather is nice, their outdoor patio is always preferred. We also like to take their Diane Salads to go, but beware, they can be skimpy on the Diane dressing. Be sure to either verify that there is enough dressing on the salad or ask for extra on the side. Beware that they might charge you for that extra dressing. The safest option is to ask for the dressing on the side and toss the salad yourself. Take a look at their menu for other fantastic traditional dishes.

Best Thai Cuisine

Saladang
Located at 363 S. Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena 91105 (626) 793--8123. This is actually two restaurants, one next to the other. Saladang is the original restaurant and has a menu that is primarily devoted to more traditional Thai dishes. Saladang Song (383 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105 (626) 793-5200) located on the south side of the original has a more elaborate menu and better atmosphere, but a higher cost. Personally, I prefer Saladang, especially for a quick business lunch. Panang is one of my favorite Thai dishes, and Saladang makes it better than any other restaurant I have tried.

INSPECTION REPORTS

Pasadena Inspection Reports
This database contains inspection results on all food establishments.

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