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    The Original Tops

    4.0 (1.6k reviews)
    ModerateBurgers, Fast Food
    Open 7:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Order The Original Tops Takeout or Delivery

    The Original Tops Photos

    Business Info

    THE ORIGINAL TOPS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - The Original Tops

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    Reviews With Photos

    Jessica G.

    Intrigued by their Pastrami Breakfast Burrito we saw on IG, not knowing that it's only served on breakfast hours. As we came at noon, we ended up having to go for something else. Surprised by how busy they were; full house even with line on their drive-thru line. The ambiance was like between deli and diner. We got their other favorite, the Pastrami Sandwich, added with bacon. Tad greasy, but the pastrami was indeed luscious. Packed with meat, the portion was actually very filling. I could see why people loved the burrito as I did think I would fancy this served in a wrap better than grilled bread. We got the fried zucchini on the side, whose batter was also flavorful yet would recommend sharing.

    Shinead D.

    Came in on Saturday night as we were in area. We ordered the cheese sandwiches, tops burger, fried zucchini, and chili cheese fries. The cheese sandwich was SO tasty! So flavorful and delicious. Bread was soft, meat was well seasoned with lots of cheesy goodness. The tops special burger with pastrami was also SO tasty! Chili cheese fries were good also. Very greasy, but that's to be expected. Size is definitely shareable. Zucchini was prob my least favorite thing we ordered. I expected them to be more flavorful and it just wasn't but that could have been personal preference. Overall the restaurant was clean, we found plenty of seating available and a kid friendly environment. Def will be back when in the area to try other things on their menu! Solid 8/10. Def try their specialty items.

    Drink
    Justin M.

    Yankies vs Red Sox, Batman vs. Joker, The Original Tops vs. The Hat. These are just some of life's most classic rivalries. Having worked in Pasadena for a number of some odd years, you get to experience some of the more classics eating spots that this town has to offer. Now, granted there are a number of The Hat locations throughout the Southern California region, one can't argue that their pastrami + chili cheese fries are up there with some of the best. Enter "The Original Tops". FOOD: Tops Special (1/4 lb cheeseburger topped w/ pastrami) - 9.1 / 10 A well-stuffed burger with their signature thin-sliced "California" style pastrami. The addition of lettuce, tomato, & onion, makes it seem like you're eating a B.L.T. (sub bacon for pastrami = a very welcome substitute). The burger patty is not too overwhelming in size, which really allows for the generous serving of pastrami to take center stage. Chili Cheese Fries - 9.3 / 10 Anyone who's every been to The Hat knows that their order of Chili Cheese Fries is no joke (insert drink carrier here & proceed to top with a comically large amount of fresh cooked french fries, chili, & shredded cheddar cheese). But what The Original Topps' rendition lack in size (which is very commendable in itself for a "large") more than makes up for in flavor. Personally, I very much prefer The Original Topps' thinner french fries with their outstanding chili & cold, shredded cheddar cheese. The chili is what really stands out here. For me, it tastes a bit more tomatoey. That makes all the difference & might possibly be why The Original Topps' Chili Cheese Fries edges out The Hat's sizable monster side. I love the chill, casual ambience. Nothing too fancy here. Just your "hole-in-the-wall" classic burger joint. No pretentious snobbery here. Just good ol' hardworking people that want to enjoy a burger, fries, + a drink. Simplicity, arguably at it's absolute best. I would go out-of-my-way to make the drive to come back here.

    Jessica M.

    Ahhh I love & live for tops breakfast burritos! My go to is the chorizo burrito & occasionally I'll get the bacon! The chorizo burrito is packed with flavor & cheesy goodness! Love when the hash browns are crispy in there mmmm! I will say their salsa is more of a hit or miss, sometimes it's flavorful n spicy which I love then sometimes it lacks heat & doesn't give much of a taste! So wish it was more consistent! When I come for lunch I'm a sucker for a good cheeseburger, yellow chilis & onion rings! Mmm it's yummy! The drive thru could get a little backed up in the ams so be aware & hopefully you go the right way if not you're waiting in the street to pull in & some drivers can get annoyed lol Update: they finally updated their drive thru menu!! It's nice & brand new which they needed so was happy to see this happen! Sadly I didn't take a pic. Overall great OG joint for breakfast & lunch!

    pastrami with everything
    Lauren C.

    Some places are institutions for a reason, and this is one of them. Always busy and parking is tough. Get creative and go into the neighborhood and walk a block or two. You'll burn a few of those calories! Fund, busy atmosphere but the service stays friendly and efficient. Tried the classics - pastrami sando and small everything fries. Shared between two and couldn't finish. Both were fabulous and generous to the extreme in portion. A must try at least once. Glad I don't live closer or this would be a calorically expensive regular stop.

    David C.

    Tried delivery this time and they did not disappoint! Look at the way they package the food just for starters! Food was great as ever. First time trying the pastrami and it was some of the best thin sliced pastrami ever had. Looked dry as I ordered it grilled, but it was nothing of the sort. Juicy and flavorful. Burger, chili fries and onion rings were as good as I remember. Asked for the chili on the side too and they got everything right.

    Chili Cheese Fries
    Mark L.

    Popped in here with my son for a quick bite after our doctors visit. Consistently good and their chili cheese fries are out of this world, I just went with the regular cheeseburger because combined with the chili cheese fries. It is a perfect combination. Not only is the service great but the environment is great. If you're looking for a good char burger with all the fresh fixings and a solid order of chili cheese fries, tops is your place.

    Vivian P.

    As you already know, this is our go-to spot for burgers. When the craving hits, this is usually where we end up without even thinking twice. Tonight we decided to switch things up a little, and hubby ordered the bacon cheeseburger. Normally we prefer the quarter-pound patty, but this one was slightly thicker, which definitely made us feel full a lot quicker. That said, the burger was still super juicy, had the right filling-to-meat ratio, and came on that perfectly soft bun that holds everything together without falling apart. Solid choice. I stuck with my usual chicken breast salad, and it was delicious as always. Fresh, satisfying, and dependable -- although I'll admit I'm still not a fan of bell peppers, so those got politely pushed to the side. One thing I have noticed over time is that the fries seem to be getting a little smaller in portion each visit. I also miss the thicker-cut fries from about six months ago -- those were my favorite. The current ones still do the job, but the old style definitely had my heart. Overall, this is still a definite must-try spot if you're craving a good burger. Consistent, satisfying, and always hits the spot. Happy eats!

    The Sycamore Melt and onion rings
    Joel M.

    I hope you're hungry. You can have this a single meal but why? Do you really need to fall into a food coma from all the satisfaction?? Ok. I did that. And I fid not regret the overindulgence... but i really could have split the meal with a friend. Pictured here is the SMALL onion rings and a Sycamore Melt--coleslaw, thousand island, swiss cheese and pastrami on rye. It's a little drippy with the coleslaw so I HAD to eat it all there. Who wants soggy rye, right? Not this Yelper.

    Fountain Drinks
    Al L.

    I've been coming here for almost 40+ years (yikes)! Set up is simple, order at the counter take a number find a table or booth and wait for your number to be called. Entering this place you smell the food on the grill. Everything is made fresh. I ordered a 1/2 lb cheeseburger, zucchini fries and a drink. Tables are clean and the service is fast. There are few places that have lasted the test of time. Conveniently located off the 210 Frwy at Michillinda. If your in Pasadena there really are only two choices and this on is .... Wait for it..

    Pastrami & Egg Burrito
    Belinda T.

    This location's pretty busy and usually has some form of a line in the drive-thru. A similar local classic as Lucky Boy & The Hat, Tops has burritos, all sorts of comfort American food such as burgers, pastrami, chili cheese fries. We usually come for the breakfast burritos, but have tried a few of their burgers as well as the chili cheese fries. My go-to is the pastrami burrito which SOMETIMES comes jam packed with gooey cheese, large pieces of pastrami, and soft fluffy potatoes. Sadly the quality is incredibly inconsistent and sometimes the burrito will be half the size, cheese barely melted, potatoes dried out, etc. But for the price, Tops is a solid choice. The Jones' coffee ain't bad either. They also have a pastrami burger which comes with quite a bit of pastrami, and a deliciously beefy, slightly spicy jalapeño burger. The fries are okay but occasionally suffers the same problem as the burrito--unmelted cheese.

    Chili cheese tots and zucchini sticks
    Wendy G.

    Quality + tradition + menu selection + price = this incredible eatery, which has rightly withstood the test of time since its inception back in the 1950s. BF and I stopped here on our way to LAX for a 3 week Asia trip, and were craving something quick, salty and non Asian. We chose this local spot on a whim, and ordered the (beef) chili cheese tots and zucchini sticks. Service was friendly, the vibe was retro diner, and the price was very reasonable. Our food arrived promptly, and we were impressed by the portion sizes of these "small" sides ($12 total incl tax - wow!) . And when we tasted each, the flavors and homemade textures exceeded our expectations. We plan to return when we are hungrier to try the burgers, pastrami and South of the border menu options. This visit to The Original Tops gave us a wonderful taste of nostalgic Americana and reaffirmed our commitment to continue supporting local restaurants.

    self serve kiosks
    Van D.

    Original tops is a great spot when you're in the mood for a no frills meal. My boyfriend and I came here for a bite when he was in the mood for this type of meal. When we arrived they had 3 workers by the cashier chatting among each other, and no greeting. I doubt that was what the owners originally imaged for this place. Instead there are 2 cold kiosks for you to order from while their staff chatted away. My boyfriend ordered a Bacon Cheeseburger ($8.79) and I ordered a Grilled Chicken Breast Salad ($10.99) with added Avocado ($1.99). We shared a small Chili Cheese Fries ($6.70) and a Fountain Soda ($2.89). They have a few booths and table to sit at, but many of the empty ones were dirty. We picked the least dirty one and wiped it down a bit. Food was really in a decent amount of time. My boyfriend really enjoyed his meal. I was surprised by how well the salad turned out, because I had pretty low expectations for it. There was a decent amount of grilled chicken with almost every bite. I didn't like their chili as much as other places, but I could only handle a few bites of it anyways. I would happily accompany my boyfriend the next time he wants this type of meal, but I probably won't be the one to suggest to come here on my own.

    2 burgers & Small Chili Cheese Fries

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    11 days ago

    Food is great here! CheeseBurger and chili cheese Fries were perfect ! Would definitely come back!

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    Page 1 of 39

    Ask the Community - The Original Tops

    Do you have gluten free options?

    Hello Martie, we do have gluten free options from our Salads to some of our South of the Border and Family Favorite items. We can also lettuce wrap most of our burgers or sandwiches.

    Do you guys do protein style burgers too?

    Yes, lettuce wrapped,let them know immediately or they'll go into rapid mode and you'll end up with buns

    Do you sell milkshakes and if so what flavors?

    Chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla.

    Open on Christmas?

    Closed. It's Christmas.

    Does their chili have beans?

    No it's just spicy ground meat chili

    Does this locations serve breakfast burritos all day?

    No not at all

    Can you call ahead and order for pick up?

    Yes! You can give us a call at (626) 449-4412, or you can place an online order for pick-up at TheOriginalTops.com.

    What time do they stop serving breakfast items?

    until 11am

    Are dogs allowed?

    Hello! All dogs are welcome in our outdoor patio area, but only service animals are allowed inside the restaurant. Thank you for your question, please let us know if we can answer anything else for you.

    View All 11 Questions

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    My wife and I have been going to Pie 'n Burger for many years. We probably dine there 6 or 7 times…read moreeach year. Burgers and Pies are their specialties but I really like their Patty Melt. Today my wife had her usual burger and a root beer float. I wanted something different so I ordered their chicken pot pie. Being a child of the sixties and from a large family, I'm no stranger to chicken pot pies. My dad would buy them in bulk when they were on sale at ten for a dollar. Well, I've had the Pie 'n Burger version a couple of years ago but the one today rocked my world. Yes, a good chicken pot can do that. Anyway, our meals were outstanding and only topped by the excellent service we received from our waitress, Tyler. She was very friendly, attentive and helpful. Even though my pot pie needed to be heated just a bit longer after it was served, she made it right by warming it up some more. It was piping hot and delicious!!! When the bill came she apologized for the way she served the pot pie and didn't charge me for it. I was blown away!!! Rarely do you receive customer service like this is at a restaurant in this day and age. Pie 'n Burger is an "old school" kind of place with good food and desserts and "old school" friendly service. Thank you Tyler! You are a special kind of person.

    I like classic places like Apple Pan, Tam O'Shanter, Carneys, etc so I wanted to try Pie 'n Burger…read more Huge disappointment. Very overpriced for absolutely bland food. Nothing special. Sad, as it should be an OG place with great history and nostalgia but instead it is just a sad remnant of better days gone by. Skip this place if you want good food at a reasonable price.

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    Lemon Meringue Pie Puddle
    They make their sodas with real Coke syrup!

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    They make their sodas with real Coke syrup!
    Super Burger

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    (1.1k reviews)
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    I thought I already reviewed the best burger in Pasadena!…read more On my first visit, a standard burger was $3.95. I forget what it is now-- $6??? As good as this burger is, it's still a deal. Super Burger is owned by a super-nice Korean family. There are various Korean dishes in their menu available but I only go there for the burgers. What makes their simple burgers so great? First off the burger patty-- the patties are formed in-house. The cooked patties have that irregular edge that can only come from being hand-formed; imperfect and delicious. These aren't the frozen discs delivered by a freezer truck. The ratio of the ingredients are ideal. -- The tomato is sliced to the perfect thickness -- The freshly-shredded lettuce doesn't manspread and take up too much of the burger's real estate -- The thousand island dressing marries the freshness of the veggie section to the animal part perfectly -- The burger patty's girth is appropriately balanced for the other ingredients. -- Their buns have that old-school yeast(?) flavor not available in stores. Their burgers are lovingly prepared and assembled with care. This is why whenever I go, there are always people there. Seating is strictly patio style, looking out onto the intersection of Altadena and Villa. There lot is small lot next to the stand. I'm not sure if it's shared with another business. Street parking is available. Even though super burger is basically a corner burger stand with patio seating, the place is always clean. Super Burger is definitely a sure thing. It is the finest example of what a basic, standard burger can be. Bun, burger patty, lettuce, tomato, and dressing doesn't get better than this.

    I drive by this place everyday since I live down the street and I finally decided to try it. Was…read morevery skeptical at first about the hype and the price until i finally tried it! The teriyaki burger was one of the best i've had since its not the same type of typical teriyaki burger with teriyaki sauce, they add teriyaki beef on top of the hamburger patty and it's amazing. the onion rings here is probably the best in pasadena!

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    Seating area
    Seating area
    Bacon cheeseburger combination...
    Bacon cheeseburger combination...
    Teriyaki Burger

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    Bun & Blanket

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    Awesome double smash burger!! The onions and crust are what made this one really good! They put a…read morelot of onions on so kinda a true Oklahoma style. Hard to find a place doing it this good. This is my 8th LA smash burger and it's definitely a top three contender! The ratios were on point. The lemon pepper fries were killer. The bulgogi fries were strangely good for no one appearing to be Korean who worked there. Big fresh jalapeños on top with the perfect amount of sauce. GREAT home made pickles on the burger to offset the rich patty and cheese. The service was TOP tier. Took a little longer than most, but tasted better than most! So pick your poison! Great outdoor seating in a bar next door with its own brewery. They have a deal going so you can use that place. Sat in a cool outdoor patio area with fake grass and a nice fence. Nice shade. Cool Glendale vibes.

    Great food and even better service. You can tell the team genuinely enjoys what they do, and it…read moreshows in the experience from start to finish. Customizations were no problem at all, and the turnaround time from ordering to pickup was exactly as promised. Their vegan options are full of flavor and definitely not an afterthought. Parking on the street can be a little tough, but it's absolutely worth it. Whether you eat there at one of the tables or take it to go, this is definitely a spot worth stopping at.

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    Cali Juicy Lucy Burger
    Top left. Birria fries. Top right Gigo fries.  Bottom left double burger with bacon.  Bottom right triple burger with bacon.

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    Top left. Birria fries. Top right Gigo fries. Bottom left double burger with bacon. Bottom right triple burger with bacon.
    Sandwiches by Connal

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    Sandwiches by Connal is a Pasadena institution and an essential stop whenever I am back in my…read morehometown. I have such fond childhood memories of going there with my parents and grandparents and receiving what seemed like foot-tall soft-serve cones. They also make the best malts, terrific burgers, and excellent deli sandwiches. The pastrami on rye and grilled cheese are dependable favorites--or you can splurge on a classic banana split. Add fries, with or without chili, and you have the perfect old-school meal. When I was growing up, they called what most people know as a chocolate-and-vanilla twist a "ripple." That is still what I order--and what I call it--wherever I am in the world, even when people look at me funny. Whenever I am in Pasadena visiting family and friends, a stop at Connal's for a ripple, shake, burger, and fries is practically mandatory. Some places serve food; others hold generations of memories. Connal's does both.

    I ordered a typical salami grinder. I have had done this for 30+ years+…read more Today there was no menu to-go, no menu inside the restaurant, and no available menu online. The salami was processed, not dry. It came with a major portion of yellow mustard (not requested), tons of finely chopped wet lettuce, no cheese. Horrible and soggy. I would have requested my money back, but it was a to-go order. The quality of the entire restaurant has gone, and it seems no one cares, as this has been going on for over a year. Inside the restaurant, the tables were empty and unclean. The wall decor sign for the restaurant, was broken and meant nothing as it was missing the store name. It was an icon restaurant, but now broken, and terribl.

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    Inside seating / 50's decor
    Inside seating / 50's decor
    Chili-Cheese Burger (no lettuce) - Excellent.
    Chili-Cheese Burger (no lettuce) - Excellent.
    To-go packaging

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    To-go packaging

    The Original Tops - burgers - Updated August 2026

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