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    The Original Tops

    4.0 (1.6k reviews)
    ModerateBurgers, Fast Food
    Closed • 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?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Casual
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - The Original Tops

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    Reviews With Photos

    Tops Special Burger, The Sycamore Melt, Chili Cheese Fries, Patty Melt and Onion Rings
    William M.

    I'm almost speechless, but I guess I do have to write something don't I? This legendary casual eatery is everything you want it to be: fresh ingredients, friendly service, delicious food and generous quantities. I don't know where they got the name for their fantastic Sycamore Sandwich, but it's a pastrami reuben with cole slaw instead of sauerkraut, and it very well could be the best I've had outside of New York. Thin, mostly lean pastrami stacked with Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and homemade Thousand Island dressing served hot on grilled rye bread. A heavenly handheld! The thin, crispy onion rings were cooked perfectly, to where the coating was almost falling off, and just oily enough to give moisture and flavor, but not greasy. The fresh, thin, hand cut fries were great by themselves but then add the beef chili and melted cheese, it could be a great meal by itself. Don't forget the Patty Melt, too. Old fashioned, comfort food that you order at the counter or drive through that's worth a side trip if you're anywhere close (or even not close) to Pasadena.

    Chili Cheese Tots
    Aaron N.

    Ambience - 6/10 It's honestly just your typical diner/fast food joint. My biggest complaint is the cleanliness, since there were quite a few flies flying around, with some even landing on the booths that I sat in. The booths also looked fairly dirty, which isn't really appetizing if you're planning to eat inside. Service - 10/10 The staff were friendly, and the service was quick. No complaints. Food - 7/10 Tops Special Burger - 6.5/10 Honestly, the burger was just okay. The presentation was nice, but everything else was pretty average. The pastrami had good flavor, although some pieces were oddly chewy. The beef patty also tasted like it had been frozen, which kind of just took away from the burger. Chili Cheese Tots - 7.5/10 The tater tots themselves were great, they were perfectly crisp and cooked well, but, the chili cheese was a bit underwhelming, since I could barely taste the chili. Overall - 7.6/10 (for dining in) the food is decent and id say that its an okay spot if you're looking for a quick bite, and they give fairly large portions. Other then that, I'd recommend using the drive-thru instead of dining in. It's way faster, and you won't have to deal with the cleanliness and long waits inside.

    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.

    Chorizo & Egg Burrito
    Jeremy A.

    We stopped by The Original Tops after reading they were known for their breakfast burritos... it definitely lived up to the hype. We ordered the chorizo potato burritos, and they were excellent. They were packed with flavor, generously sized, and my wife couldn't even finish hers. The salsas they served with them were delicious and really tied everything together. We ended up coming back another day to try the burgers, and they were just as impressive. Everything tasted fresh, the burgers were juicy, and the fries were perfectly crispy. This has easily become my new burger spot whenever I'm in the Pasadena area. The drive thru can get pretty busy during peak hours, but the staff works quickly, so the wait wasn't that bad. I love old school burger joints and the vibe from the outside. It has that classic local spot feel that makes the food taste even better. Definitely would come back!

    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.

    Bacon Breakfast Burrito
    Christopher D.

    Classic American breakfast burrito with bacon that was very good. Each component was pretty good & I especially liked the two cups of fresh salsa verde. Service was quick at the drive thru. It's a no frills spot that I would visit again.

    Burrito ? Very small burrito, a side of salsa for size comparison. So much extra tortilla. Their burrito ads are misleading.
    Ghallagher B.

    Still poor quality. New picture of my "burrito" from my recent visit. Reached out to customer service. Only response was "we will talk to our crew."

    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!

    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..

    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

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    Always great food very great food love this place so classic best food hands down eat here!!

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    Page 1 of 40

    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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    Pie 'n Burger - Double cheese burger

    Pie 'n Burger

    3.4(2.3k reviews)
    3.6 mi•South
    •$$

    The Food is amazing. Especially their Rubarb( I hope I spell it right) Pie. And everyone there is…read morereally calm and polite.

    For Father's Day, I wanted to have an old fashioned burger and a nice dessert so we traveled out to…read morePasadena to try this local institution. I'm so glad we did because we had a wonderful time. Right off the bat, however, I want to point out that this is a cash only establishment. Yes, they do have an ATM inside, but if you want to avoid what I'm assuming is a crazy service fee, bring plenty of cash with you because this place isn't the cheapest meal in town. It's not expensive, but it's not cheap. Also, there is very limited parking so just be ready to park on the street a bit away and walking in. The location itself is small. Narrow and deep. They squeeze in as many tables as they can around the walls while having a long countertop that runs the length of the kitchen. But, with all that said, and with them trying to cram in as many people as possible, it didn't feel too cramped. Only time we really felt the high density was when one of my kids needed to use the restroom and we had to find somewhere to stand and wait for it to become available. Outside of the front of the restaurant, there really is no space to just stand around. The food itself is wonderful. The burgers are no nonsense. They're not trying to be anything other than just a classic diner burger and fries. And that's exactly what I want from a place like this. Nothing is made for Instagram or to chase a trend. This place knows what they're good at because they've been doing it for decades and they don't stray from that. It's a total 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' mentality here and it's better off for it. My son got the chili and demolished it. I was worried he wouldn't like it, but it was anything but the case. I haven't seen him eat chili that fast in a long time. The dessert was good, but probably my least favorite part of the whole meal. I think I just wanted something different than what I ordered. I got the peach crumble and, while tasty, it just didn't scratch the pie itch I wanted. It was the perfect blend of soft and crispy. The crumble was good, but I think I wanted more of it. I'm being picky here, but I think it just slightly missed the mark. I really enjoyed my brunch at Pie N Burger. It was a wonderful outing. From the friendly staff to the classic food. It was just nice. And I absolutely look forward to coming back. Again and again.

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    Pie 'n Burger - Lemon Meringue Pie Puddle

    Lemon Meringue Pie Puddle

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    Super Burger - No tomato please

    Super Burger

    4.3(1.1k reviews)
    1.7 mi
    •$$

    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 just paid $18 for one of the nastiest chicken teriyaki bowls I've ever had. I honestly could've…read moremade something better at home. The chicken wasn't even fully warm, had absolutely no flavor, and was drowned in a ton of sauce that seemed like it was there to cover up the bland chicken. Definitely not worth $18. Very disappointing.

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    Bacon cheeseburger combination...

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    Craft by Smoke & Fire - Pasadena - Last Supper BBQ & Steak Platter

    Craft by Smoke & Fire - Pasadena

    4.7(9k reviews)
    4.7 mi•Downtown
    •$$

    Firstly let me say service was 10/10 even though they were short staffed they sat me outside upon…read moremy request, Rachel was friendly, attentive, knew the menu, had recommendations that were ready on the fly which tells me she eats here too, the recommendations were top notch! Atmosphere was awsome, had music but not too loud to have a conversation, chairs and tables were clean and comfortable. Food was plated well, tasted amazing, same with the cocktail it was clearly crafted well and was balanced. In California were spoiled this spot is a must see.

    Made a reservation online using open table. It was very simple and easy to navigate. Called the…read morerestaurant on the day of the reservation stating we were running 15 min behind and that our number has decreased by 2. Not an issue, got thanked for the update. It wasnt that busy at the time of our arrival. There were a lot of tables and the noise level was quiet. The host was nice and sat us not too long after we arrived. The table that we got sat at was extremely wobbly. My father-in-law noticed another table had napkins placed underneath to stabilize so he did the same to our table and it worked. Tara took our order and brought out the drinks. The food was 90% great! The 10% that fell short was a combination of things. 1) menu online and the physical menu said corn bread (which we were told no longer serves them). If its no longer available, update the menu because we were excited to try the corn bread. 2) a bbq place with no wet naps, that is really weird. However, they did bring me a stack of paper towels that were wet as if they were wet naps. 3) only 1 steak knife was provided in the platters. It was hard for a party of 6 to cut up meat with only 1 steak knife. 4) one of the sides came out cold, and hard. I bit into a macaroni and it felt raw because of how hard it was! I even dropped the macaroni on the plate and it rang! We brought it to the servers attention and we were able to get a fresh one free of charge. We loved the short ribs and the tomahawk steak! They were delicious. Baked potato as a side item was very large! During the whole time we were eating, no one came by to check on us, refills were not provided until after we were done eating. We never got one of the drinks that Tara wrote down and it showed up on the check. I was trying to get a staff members attention, and my hand was raised up, and there were hosts that saw my hand raised, but did nothing. There were other servers and runners that saw it too. Took a while for us to get any help. We eventually flagged down our server after what felt like 5 minutes. We brought the charge to our servers attention, and they corrected that too. Overall, the table service could have been a lot better, fix broken tables, and I suggest you bring your own wet naps or baby wipes because they dont supply any.

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    Craft by Smoke & Fire - Pasadena - Tomahawk Steak

    Tomahawk Steak

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    All the Smoke Platter

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    Sandwiches by Connal - Corned beef grinder with avocado

    Sandwiches by Connal

    4.0(724 reviews)
    3.3 mi
    •$$

    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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    Sandwiches by Connal - Inside seating / 50's decor

    Inside seating / 50's decor

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    Chili-Cheese Burger (no lettuce) - Excellent.

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    To-go packaging

    The Original Tops - burgers - Updated September 2026

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