Joey Cheung

This is seriously THE BURGER place to go to in Pasadena and possibly all of the eastern part of LA County. Prices are incredibly fair and the burgers are huge and delicious. Just picture an In N Out burger that’s twice the size and this is what you’ll get from the Original Tops. If you need something to keep you satisfied for hours then the 1/4lb burger is more than enough to suit those needs.

Sergio Zermeno

The Original Tops have been in the same location for over fifty years this is our second time coming to The Original Tops in Pasadena. I have friends tell me go to the Original Tops to have their world famous pastrami and others items. Their fries and zucchini sticks are pretty good with ranch dressing on the side. They also have other items on their menu.

+9

Harrison Nguyen

**The Original Tops: A Timeless Beacon of Quality and Flavor in Pasadena** Since 1952, The Original Tops has firmly established itself as a cornerstone of the Pasadena community, showcasing the remarkable potential of a neighborhood eatery that prioritizes quality, comfort, and an authentic connection with its patrons. This beloved establishment sprang from the visionary mind of Steve Bicos, who set out with a clear philosophy of "Quality Grub." Over the decades, The Original Tops has gracefully transitioned from a quaint, old-school coffee shop into a vibrant fast-food institution while meticulously preserving the warmth and genuine character that endeared it to generations of diners. During a recent visit, my sister and I were excited to immerse ourselves in the culinary treasures contributing to this establishment's cherished status. Fresh from a flight from Las Vegas, my appetite for a quintessential LA experience led us straight to Tops, and I can confidently say it did not disappoint. The restaurant's rich legacy and commitment to excellence were apparent from the very first bite. We kicked off our culinary adventure with the renowned TOPS Special: a 1/4 lb old-fashioned burger that has achieved iconic status. This burger is truly elevated by the addition of its legendary pastrami, which boasts a perfect balance of flavor and tenderness. Each mouthful was a delightful blend of perfectly seasoned meat, complemented by zesty mustard and creamy American cheese, creating an indulgent symphony of flavors that lingered on the palate long after the last bite. It wasn't just a burger but a masterpiece that encapsulated the heart and soul of LA comfort food. Next up was the Patty Melt, a diner classic that Tops has perfected over the years. The patty, cooked to juicy perfection, sat between two slices of bread that were expertly toasted to golden-brown perfection. The grill's heat produced sweet caramelized onions that provided an irresistible depth to the dish, enhancing the beef's already robust flavors. The simplicity of this sandwich belied the complex interplay of flavors, making it one of the standout selections on their menu. No visit to The Original Tops would be complete without indulging in their infamous Chili Cheese Fries—an offering undeniably deserves its reputation as a must-try. The signature chili was rich, robust, and savory, generously ladled over a heaping serving of crispy fries. Each fry was beautifully coated, allowing for a satisfying crunch that contrasted perfectly with the gooey, melt-in-your-mouth blend of jack and cheddar cheese that topped the dish. Even the "small" portion was delicious, enough for my sister and me to share. To quench our thirst, I decided on the Orange Bang, a nostalgic and refreshing beverage that perfectly complemented our meal. Its creamy citrus flavor provided an ideal palate cleanser amid the array of savory offerings, bringing back fond memories of childhood treats and leaving me both satisfied and longing for more. In a city that boasts an overwhelming array of culinary choices, The Original Tops stands as a testament to the best Pasadena's food culture offers. Its charm lies in its rich historical tapestry and inviting atmosphere and its remarkable ability to remain approachable while consistently delivering exceptional quality. For anyone seeking an authentic taste of LA classics, Tops is undeniably the ultimate destination in North LA—where tradition and flavor harmoniously converge in every delicious dish.

+2

Howard Chuang

Great menu and everything was delicious. Enjoyed the Tops burger, Reuben, party melt, chili cheese fries and onion rings all at reasonable prices. Used to go to The Hat for my pastrami fix when in LA...but prefer the larger menu, indoor seating and clean restroom at Tops.

+1

Jesse Macias

Anyone looking for flavorful food at a quality place, take a chance and stop by the Tops! You’ll never regret it!! While visiting Pasadena, looking for a quality place to try out, my friend who ate there before highly recommended me to try it out. Taking a chance, I went and got recommended to tried out their Chili Cheese Fries, size: Small. I was very impressed by the mouth watering aroma when the order was served, my first bite blew my mind away!! I love how the cheese blends very nicely with the spice-passionate chili on top of very finely made crispy fries, very tasty and fantastic! As a hobbyist food critic passionate about trying out the finest dishes at many restaurants and cafes, I’ve gain meaningful insight to make critiques on service quality, taste, presentation, and customer service. From the lovely treatment from staff to the best tasting chili cheese fries ever eaten, compared to 7 other fast food places, give this place a solid recommendation!! The chefs and service staff are very well trained, collaborative, and approachable!! The entire restaurant is very well put together, the vibes reflect a solid 1980 diners theme, the staff work very well together and the food quality is off the charts!! Next time when you are visiting Pasadena or curious to try out something worthwhile, take a ride to the tops, one bike and like a top, your mouth with be spinning with aroma and flavors above imagination!!

Daniel Aguirre

This burger was so delicious. Get the Tops special, cheeseburger with pastrami. The thing weighed like 2 pounds! The chili cheese fries were huge! love to see quality food, and tasting it was even better. Will definitely make it a point to come back when I'm in the area.

+3

This place is everything people say it is. Good grub, friendly space PLENTY OF FOOD. It very well may be one of those, last good portion, good priced places left in Cali. The fries are my favorite and very shareable but dang it, I want them all. Hahaha Oh, hey have you ever watched that old movie called Blues Brothers? Remember the scene where he orders 3 ORANGE WHIPS? 🍹 They have them here. 😃 Not a cocktail it's in the soda fountain. Seriously Soooooo yummy!!!! Ya gotta try it if you haven't yet and definitely you gotta order the hamburger/pastrami sandwhich. 🤤

Mayra Garcia

Great food. We order a burgers, chicken sandwich, and the veggie burger. All of them were a good size, and fresh, the pastrami was very delicious. It was lean and you could appreciate the flavor of the meat. Chicken sandwich was with wheat bread, grilled chicken meat was tender.

Derek W

As the bfast burrito at Lucky Boy's doesn't quite taste the same anymore, decided to drive out to East Pasadena to check out Tops Burgers. As I pulled up, saw a long line for the drive thru so ended up just parking. Love how they have 2 kiosks to place your orders especially how you can semi customize your bfast burritos. Love how you can specify your potatoes to be well done along with requesting additional salsa on the side. Ended up ordering a few bfast burritos to share with the fam (chorizo and egg, bacon and sausage). At first glance, the burritos do look a bit smaller than Lucky Boy's (less hash browns and meat) but overall a good balance of all ingredients. Not sure why they state home potatoes as it looked like shaved hash browns to me. Although I request well done, I would've wished they were cooked longer as I love crispy bits which add texture to the burrito. I also quite enjoyed their green salsa which does taste better than what you get at Lucky Boy's. Of the 3 burritos, I definitely enjoyed the chorizo and egg the most and would definitely go back for that. Did also notice they give complementary pickled carrots, peppers and onions. Staff was friendly and restaurant was clean.

+3

LBWilson

The food was pretty good, the fries were ice cold but the onion rings were excellent. My husband's SANDWHICH was underwhelming. I had the Famous Pastrami and it was pretty good.

DL East

Update: 6/19: Went back for a burger. Good quality and portion size. Been here many times while living in E Pasadena. Moved away in 2018 and came back for the first time today. Quality of food always been consistent for me. Had the breakfast plate which is not hard to mess up. Potatoes perfectly seasoned. Only negative is the gal who rang me up at 7am…no greeting, no smile, sappy face, attitude. Never seen her before…ticket said “Manager,” on it. I hope not as she’s setting the standard there.

+2

It's a decent quick breakfast place, the price is not as expensive as others these days. The service is fast, parking is free, but small lot. They have good side condiments and outside tables and inside as well.

Second time here -- terribly disappointed. (I had to take two stars away from the previous rating.) Our order consisted of one Tops Pastrami sandwich, two Tops Special Burger (cheeseburger with Pastrami), a large order of fries, a small order of onion rings, and two drinks. The onion rings were extremely overcooked & the fries were not even close to warm! The sandwiches seemed a bit skimpy for the price paid & weren't as good as those we had the first time we were here. Two of the three of us prefer to dip the fries & onion rings in ranch dressing/dip; that would be an extra charge, no thanks... this lunch order was already over $54!

ivan

Beware if you order through Uber eats. For the third time in a row and I'm stopping it now. My steak is overdone. I Ask for medium rare, just in case it goes a little over. Super dry steak. Overcooked. Not worth paying the delivery and convenience fee when you don't get what you want.