Late Friday (after 8pm) deals in Pasadena

[Jodie]

I am going out to dinner late Friday night in Pasadena, near old town. Does anyone know of any late happy hours? Most happy hours end at 7 and that is too late for us. Thanks.

[monku]

Happy Hour at Hamburger Hamlet Pasadena 9pm-Midnight. Half price appetizers and drinks.

[Will Owen]

That's about two miles from Old Town. If the OP has a car and doesn't mind the trip, though, that's a good rec...

[Harrison71]

I have never been served such horrible food as I had at Hamlet. Maybe I ordered the wrong stuff but it was bad or inedible.

[monku]

I always get the chicken wings, they're the best around...big, crispy and juicy.
What do you order?

[Harrison71]

Some ribs which looked and tasted like bad boiled pork slathered afterwords in a ketchupy tasting BBQ sauce. Probably right out os an industrial sized tub from some restaurant supply company.
I remember we ordered steamed veggies as a side since my wife did not want fries. the broccoli had that awful smell and taste of something sitting in the back of the fridge to long.
And their house beer wasn't very good.

If I have to go again, I'll try the fired chicken you recommended.

[WildSwede]

Yeah, I have been going to HH for years (the location on Van Nuys Blvd. is where my mom told me she and my dad were getting a divorce) but think that the quality of the food has gone downhill. That, and the fact that they took my fave, The Hotsburger, off the menu and when I had them make me one, they charged me $16 and it was not very good! I do not go anymore and have not been in years.

[Silverlaker]

I grew up at that HH as well (and sorry about the reoccurring flashback you must have) -- recently we went to the Pasadena one and the food was pricey and mediocre I got my usual, onion soup fondue. The soup was smaller than it used to be and the cheese not as good. The place needs to be updated and was just sad. Dinner w me and hubby ran up to mid forties and I just had soup and half an apps -- the apps are closing in on $10 each!

[monku]

#8...Hotsburger.
$16?..., it was a hamburger patty mixed with diced green chiles and topped with jalapeno jack cheese on garlic toast.

[monku]

Fried chicken wings is the only entree I'd order at HH, not even a hamburger. Ribs are definitely out of their league. As far as the steamed veggies, they come in pre-packed portions and they throw it into a steamer.

[BubblyOne]

WOW, can't believe you actually know the burger #s. It's too bad that the Lewis boys don't take the Hamlets back- the many owners since have all done a crappy job. Love the wings with apricot sauce though and still go to the one on Sunset, mainly out of habit and the same waiter (30+ years, Jim) and wacky hostess.

[mc michael]

Everything at Hamlet to me is what they used to do, not what they do now. Sad. Go to Houston's instead.

[monku]

I opened and closed several of their locations in the 80's and trained the older Lewis brother David. They got out at the right time and don't regret it. They were sticklers for being hands on owners and that's a credit to the success.
Wings are the only thing I eat there now, they haven't changed.

[BubblyOne]

Well, that would explain it:) Marilyn was really ahead of her time with the upscale burger concept.

[monku]

In those days it was an upscale burger like a pig with lipstick, just a regular burger dressed up at a fancy show.
Back then they were the only $6 burger.

[mc michael]

Gee, I don't know. I thought they had better meat, cooked to order, thicker patties, and good ingredients for toppings like--at one time--actual Roquefort.

[monku]

In the later years of their ownership they were sourcing their beef patties from the same place as Taco Bell. They were first, then TB came along. There was nothing wrong with it and it was made to their specs, but nothing high end like there is today.

[PommeDeGuerre]

Actually, this place got a pretty decent review recently on A Hamburger Today. Serious Eats is generally a pretty good site.

http://aht.seriouseats.com/archives/2...

[monku]

Admit they got atmosphere and history....$10.95 is a bit out of my realm of thinking when I ate that #7 burger at least a half dozen times a week when I worked there.

I still recommend the 1/2 price wings at the Pasadena Hamlet happy hour... You can't beat that deal.

[jessicatl]

How about Gyu-Kaku. I think they have happy hour from 10pm-close. Half off apps, $2.50 japanese BBQ items, $2 drafts.

[Will Owen]

That is a very jolly and fun place - I'd forgotten about it. Those BBQ things are delicious, too.

[mc michael]

Friday is one of the big nights for Pas. So generally, you ain't gonna find good food with cheap drinks on Friday--it's moneymaker night. If you wanna meet people, you might check out Ixtapa (on the edge of Old Town). If not, you might look at The Nose on Colorado near Oak Knoll for wine tasting (not a deal, but can be fun).

[1demi]

McCormick & Schmick's on Los Robles just down the street from the Paseo have late night Happy Hour starting at 9pm, If u get wine or beer it's pretty good, i find their mixed drinks at Happy Hour to be Real Weak..They also got bar menu for somewhat good deals.
Margarita Jones on Arroyo Parkway & California also have late Happy Hour starting at 9pm.and they put out munchies :P

[mc michael]

I was in McCormick the other night for dinner. Service was really slow. So they comped a dessert--some sort of chocolate thing filled with whipped cream and strawberries. It was alright, but I would have preferred timely service.

[ipsedixit]

McCormick and Schmick's has their second half happy hour start at 9:30.

[Harrison71]

Sushi Naples a mile or so form old town on green st has glasses of Sapporo and Kirin on tap for like $1.50, I think starting after 7:00. Also cheaper appetizers. the food is very so/so. The best dish (not a happy hour special) is the ton katsu.

[mc michael]

Judging by banners outside Sushi of Naples of late, they have upped the ante on specials.