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✔️Breakfast ✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out ✔️Delivery
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In 1952, Steve Bicos opened a restaurant where he could cook and make the kind of food people want to eat every day: craveable, comforting, approachable, and made from scratch. In short, Quality Grub. He hired a few strong hands and friendly faces, and created a warm space where everyone knew they were going to get a good meal. Tops went from an old-school coffee shop to a bustling walk-up window, to a fast food mainstay of Pasadena, keeping its warmth and deliciousness at every step.Today, Steve’s sons, Chris and John, still run the family business, and our secret recipes are still used in the kitchen every day! Our menu has something for everyone, so take your time and stay a while in a cozy booth. We look forward to serving you!
Circa-1952 quick-serve American for burgers, hot dogs & breakfast in fast-food digs with drive-thru.
Hours
| Friday | 7 AM–11 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–11 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Monday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–10 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 3838 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107
Phone: (626) 449-4412
Website: https://www.theoriginaltops.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Order: Order online
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Related Web Results
Home – The Original Tops – American Restaurant in Pasadena, CA
In 1952, Steve Bicos opened a restaurant where he could cook and make the kind of food people want to eat every day: craveable, comforting, approachable, and …
The Original Tops | Pasadena CA – Facebook
Everything you’re craving, all in one place. Burgers, breakfast burritos & chili cheese — a Pasadena staple since 1952. Now available on Grubhub.
The Original Tops – Visit Pasadena
The Original Tops. 3838 E Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91107. (626) 449-4412.
Reviews
Daniel Vasquez
If you are looking for quality food and taste that you can rely on look no further than the original tops in Pasadena. Hands-down, some of the best zucchini fries in the world and yes, the House ranch is simply divine. Everything here is good, but I stick to my guns and get the tostada salad almost every time if not, the Patty melt if not the chicken tortilla soup. It’s almost like they can’t miss!
… moreRobinson Family
Pastrami sandwich and fried zucchini. That’s what I was recommended by the homie,
I have to say it’s better than the hat sorry to say cause I really like the hat. A little on the expensive side but well worth it! I will definitely be stopping back by to try the chili cheese fries next time. Drive thru is small but seems to be a lot of parking.
… moreI have to say it’s better than the hat sorry to say cause I really like the hat. A little on the expensive side but well worth it! I will definitely be stopping back by to try the chili cheese fries next time. Drive thru is small but seems to be a lot of parking.
Michael Chahin
This place is a great find if you love pastrami’s like I do. that’s been a staple since 1952.
I love their hearty, flavor-packed sandwiches, it was stacked high with tender, smoky slices of cured beef Hand-carved pastrami’s.
And I also tried their pastrami burgers and it did not disappoint.
Give It a try I’m sure you’ll love it too.
… moreI love their hearty, flavor-packed sandwiches, it was stacked high with tender, smoky slices of cured beef Hand-carved pastrami’s.
And I also tried their pastrami burgers and it did not disappoint.
Give It a try I’m sure you’ll love it too.
keith woodard
Geezuz Christ all mighty!!!
I’m from Texas and I wish we had a place with breakfast burritos this size, that tastes this good! We have breakfast tacos, which is cool and all, but wow!!! Super wow! Good food! You get what you pay for here for sure! 10/10 would recommend!
… moreI’m from Texas and I wish we had a place with breakfast burritos this size, that tastes this good! We have breakfast tacos, which is cool and all, but wow!!! Super wow! Good food! You get what you pay for here for sure! 10/10 would recommend!
David Cho
Update 10/14/25
Craving onions rings and knew just the spot. Didn’t get anything else this trip, but enjoyed every bite. They added ranch without asking and didn’t know I needed that in my life! Ketchup Is great too, but nice new twist for me!
——-
I wish I tried this place sooner. Everything I ate was fantastic. Not your typical burger stand, which was what I was expecting. Onion rings were the real stand out for me, cause I just haven’t had home made rings like that in a while. Their pastrami burger aka the Tops’s special was pretty damn good as well. Definitely enough to share. I love the pickled carrots as well, which was a nice addition to your typical yellow chiles. Didn’t try the picked onions, but will next time.
… moreCraving onions rings and knew just the spot. Didn’t get anything else this trip, but enjoyed every bite. They added ranch without asking and didn’t know I needed that in my life! Ketchup Is great too, but nice new twist for me!
——-
I wish I tried this place sooner. Everything I ate was fantastic. Not your typical burger stand, which was what I was expecting. Onion rings were the real stand out for me, cause I just haven’t had home made rings like that in a while. Their pastrami burger aka the Tops’s special was pretty damn good as well. Definitely enough to share. I love the pickled carrots as well, which was a nice addition to your typical yellow chiles. Didn’t try the picked onions, but will next time.
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.
… moreLove 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.
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.
… moreGet 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.
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.
… moreUsed to go to The Hat for my pastrami fix when in LA…but prefer the larger menu, indoor seating and clean restroom at Tops.
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.
… moreJesse 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!!
… moreWhile 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!!