Monday, September 28, 2009

The Burger and Banana Pie Battle: Pie N Burger or Apple Pan?

A neighborhood landmark. Countertop service. Ageless menu. Aging servers. Both Pasadena's Pie 'n Burger and Westwood's Apple Pan have their own supporters, but which side do I fall under? Between Apple Pan's old waiters (I've had the same waiters for the last 5 years, I swear) and Pie 'n Burger's waitresses, between a big daily pie menu or a small but lauded pie selection ... it's time for me to make that comparison.

Being a former Bruin, I've naturally blogged about my love for Apple Pan, their hickory-smoked burger, and of course, their banana cream pie!

But I'm a beaver now. And beavers sometimes go to lunch at Pie 'n Burger around the corner. Most patrons sit on a long counter, but a couple of tabletops are also available. The place is bigger than Apple Pan with a bigger burger/sandwich and pie menu. There's always a wait here during lunch time.
A burger runs you $6.50 here (add $0.25 for cheese).
Nicely grilled meat and buns (although the buns could be better quality, it was at least nicely grilled), topped with lots of crisp lettuce and their thousand island dressing. A good and satisfying burger over all, although it's priced rather highly. In comparison, Apple Pan's Hickory sauce seems more unique and special.

Pie 'n Burger offers dozens of pies, but I love my banana cream pies, so I opted for the banana meringue pie here (they don't have the cream option). Shown here is half of an order - I was splitting with Kung Food Panda.
Good cream, good meringue, good crust. But. I wished there were more bananas in the pie - chock full of them like Apple Pan's banana cream pie.

So don't get me wrong. I'm very happy with having Pie 'n Burger around the corner of my school. I like their burger, and I like how many pie varieties they offer. But at the end of it my heart belongs to Apple Pan.

Pie 'n Burger
913 E California Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91106
www.pienburger.com
Pie 'n Burger on Urbanspoon
Pie 'n Burger in Los Angeles

12 comments:

pleasurepalate

I'm with you! The Banana Cream Pie at Apple Pan Rocks! :)

mattatouille

i'll take EITHER place right now! i need a good burger! :(

hiro
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
weezermonkey

Mmm. I need to go here.

Kung Food Panda

I agree....Apple Pan is better!

SinoSoul

GP, please let me know how many hits you get from "cream pie". I hear, nay, I know, it's a very popular sex act. Don't forget to tag this baby with "creampie", without the "space" as well. Instant sexy "Hiro" comment.

No thoughts on either burger location tho. Not my digs.

Derek Thomas

Why am I not at the Apple Pan right now?

Unknown

never heard of this concept! Great review!

EatTravelEat

I remember having a pie N burger meal once at a school carnival back then when they were helping out, and my description and memory of the burger pretty much follows with yours! Personally though I liked In and Out better than Pie N Burger. I guess I was acquainted more to eating in and out back then!

Aaron

Banana cream is by far my favorite pie. Back in high school, I used to study for the SATs on Saturday and reward myself afterwards with a bacon cheeseburger and slice of banana cream pie from nations. I wonder if that was a bad idea to link reward to pie

Anonymous

Growing up in the area, my favorite treat was a chocoloate soda from here. That's right, chocolate soda -- the old-fashioned kind. I still love the place!

Anonymous

We love Pie N Burger - The place with great burgers and the funny name. I can't say that we ever have had their pies - no room after eating a double cheeseburger.

Have you tried The Counter on Shoppers Lane in Pasadena? We were just there today but not very impressed. Would love to hear your take on the place.

Happy eating.

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