“Say Cheese!” September 18th for National Cheeseburger Day!

Celebrate regional American National Cheeseburger Day When the cheese was added to a hamburger it was a big deal. Honoring the 1926 invention of The word “cheeseburger” is a shortened form of the phrase “cheese hamburger”, meaning a hamburger with cheese.  The original word hamburger arguably comes from the town of Hamburg in Germany and refers exclusively to a burger made from beef.  Half a century later we ate burgers with a variety of quirky toppings at Hampton’s, Hollywood owned by the wonderful Stanley Ralph Ross and Paul Newman, including PPJ I swear, which is a fond memory to me and an figment of my imagination to my husband.  Cheeseburgers topped the list then.  And it does now.

And now almost a century after the cheeseburger was introduced, upscale burger chains (you know who they are) became a “BIG” deal when they re-introduced a variety of toppings along with cheese, and then a cheeseburger and a plant-based burger.  Yet, try and stop the cheeseburger.

The Raymond 1886 with its welcoming outdoor patio and historic caretaker’s cottage has competition for National Cheeseburger Day from its own 1886 cocktails, which make a meal onto themselves.   The Raymond Cheeseburger prepared with ground Kobe beef, crispy lettuce, fresh tomato, crunchy pickles, melted cheddar, and “Eva’s Secret Sauce “ is simply a burger but better somehow in the outdoors loved where the sheer exuberance of the place seems to pour right into these juicy, oversized burgers.  For details on how they are made please see: //localfoodeater.com/pasadena-raymond-place-lunch/

The Raymond 1886, Pasadena’s  historic Craftsman cottage and patio,  1250 South Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105; 626.441.3136; open for lunch and dinner www.TheRaymond.com 

Former surfer Chef Raphael Lunetta’s modern diner Lunetta All Day the ultimate California version made with Snake River grass-fed beef, caramelized onions, juicy beefsteak tomato, aged white cheddar and Marie Rose sauce.  It pairs perfectly with your any one of the long list of beverages.

Lunetta All Day 2420 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90405; 310.581.4201; www.LunettaSM.com

Lunetta At Night indulges in Chef Raphael Lunetta’s Snake Rover Heirloom Cheeseburger made with Snake River grass-fed beef, grilled onions, fresh heirloom tomato, sharp cheddar, and avocado while sipping on a perfectly prepared handcrafted cocktail from The Moon Bar.  Leave it to Chef Lunetta to serve the most classic and the most cutting-edge deconstructed versions.

Lunetta At Night  2420 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90405; 310.581.9888;www.LunettaSM.com

Executive Chef Sammy Monsour’s  Jenny’s Pimento Cheeseburger at Preux & Proper celebrates National Cheeseburger Day with a Cheeseburger topped with mouthwatering pimento cheese.  Chef Sammy made a name for himself with burgers at Boston’s JM Curley’s before arriving on the LA scene so you know these are the best.  P & P burgers are prepared with Strauss grass-fed beef, pickles, horseradish remoulade, pimento cheese, and plenty of north country bacon.

 Preux & Proper  840 South Spring Los Angeles, CA 90015; 213.896.0090;www.PreuxandProper.com

Executive Chef Tony Esnault’s Burger at Church & State (DTLA) adds a little ethnic flair with American regional, French versions. offers a French version prepared with grass-fed beef, dijonaise, brioche, and Emmentaler cheese; with additional toppings available like crispy bacon, caramelized onion, or free-range fried egg for $1.  The restaurant offers the burger lunch and dinner. For details, please see: www.ChurchandStateBistro.com

Church & State, 1850 Industrial Street, Los Angeles, CA 90021; 213.405.1434.