FOOD, DRINK AND FUN! 77 
Mountain Views News Saturday, January 24, 2026 FOOD, DRINK AND FUN! 77 
Mountain Views News Saturday, January 24, 2026 
Peter A. Dills 

https://
podlink/1116885432 


CHEESEBURGER, CHEESEBURGER, 
CHEESEBURGER. ACT #2 

No, that’s not me chanting into the void—it’s a pop-culture wink 
from a very popular TV show. Check my Facebook page for the 
answer; consider it your appetizer before the main course. 

Now, to matters of real importance. The cheeseburger was invented 
in Pasadena, and if that doesn’t earn us a full week of indulgence, 
I don’t know what does. So welcome to Cheeseburger 
Week, where I say calories don’t count, opinions are strong, and 
napkins are mandatory. 

Let’s begin with the obvious truth: everyone has a favorite burger, 
and everyone else is wrong. But that won’t stop me from trying. 

The Neighborhood Heroes

In nearby Sierra Madre, 355 Burger remains a logical—and delicious—starting point. I wrote 
about them a few months back, and the appeal hasn’t changed: focused menu, freshly ground 
beef, no gimmicks. A burger that knows exactly what it is. Confidence is attractive, even in 
food. 

Then there’s Tom’s Famous Family Restaurant—and honestly, the name alone deserves an 
award. No trophies on the wall, no celebrity endorsements, just a proper neighborhood joint 
serving a real-deal value burger. Is it an award winner? No. Is it family-friendly, satisfying, and 
honest? Absolutely. Sometimes that’s better. 

When the Chef Gets Involved 

At The Arbour on Lake, an award-winning chef turns the humble cheeseburger into something 
a bit more… polished. Their Happy Hour burger( $11) is top-shelf in both execution 
and price point—a reminder that even comfort food can dress up and still feel comfortable.
Just around the corner sits the heavyweight champ, Pie ’n Burger. Anyone with a phone, a Yelp 
account, and an opinion swears by it—and for good reason. It is the best of the best. But let’s 
address the elephant in the diner: when a burger hovers around $20, one is allowed to raise an 
eyebrow. Even Oscar Wilde would have something clever (and slightly cutting) to say about 
that. 

Crossing Bridges (Literally and Figuratively)
I mentioned The Hook last week, so we move on. Just outside our immediate area—just over 
the bridge—you’ll find Colombo’s Italian Steakhouse. Their idea of a smash burger makes the 
Dills cut, which is not handed out lightly. Italian steakhouse, smash burger? Odd couple, yes. 
Successful marriage? Also yes. 

Under-the-Radar Finds 

If you like your burgers without fanfare and with a side of nostalgia, Super Burger has you 
covered. Think In-N-Out energy, but with a larger tomato slice. Hey folks, I’m just the writer 
here—I report the facts as I find them. 

There are many more burgers worth mentioning. Many more. But even Cheeseburger Week 
has its limits, and this is all I could eat in one week without requiring medical supervision.
So get out there. Support the classics, discover the under-the-radar gems, argue with your 
friends, and remember: life is far too important to be taken seriously—especially when there’s 
a cheeseburger in front of you. 

Remember to eat local!! thechefknows@yahoo.com 


THE TASTING ROOM 
A GREAT TASTING CAB UNDER $20 

I’m Gustavo Lira, Tasting Room Manager and Wine Buyer 
at The Bottle Shop in Sierra Madre with another wine and 
spirits selection. 

If you are looking for a great tasting Cabernet Sauvignon 
that is well-made, small production, and it’s organic – look 
no further! The Bottle Shop has the 2024 Ultraviolet Cabernet 
Sauvignon from Sonoma County. 

This wine is produced by Samantha Sheehan, a rising star 
in the wine world. She has been making wine since 2009 
with her POE label, and since 2010 with the Ultraviolet label. 
She checks all the boxes for me in what I am lookingfor in a wine. It’s small production, she uses locally sourced 
organic grapes, she uses minimal sulfites, and her wines 
are bright and balanced. 

The 2024 Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from two vineyards – Norgard Farms in Mendocino 
and her estate vineyard in Coombsville. It’s 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet 
Franc. The grapes were hand-picked and destemmed into a stainless-steel tank. She 
used native yeast in the fermentation process. The wine was aged for 12 months in neutral 
French oak. 

The wine is delicious. Dark black fruit, bing cherry, cacao, and Christmas spice. The tannins 
are almost non-existent. This is a soft and easy drinking wine with a long mellow finish. We 
have been carrying this wine at The Bottle Shop for at least seven years now ever since I met 
Samantha at a wine trade tasting. She takes care in the making of this wine and she takes her 
time with it. It shows in the glass. An exceptional value for Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Get it at The Bottle Shop for $17.99. Say you saw it in the Mountain Views News and get the 
special price of $16.20. Special pricing good through January 30. 

Join me all this month to share good wine with good friends. Come together for wine. Wine 
is food. Wine is sustainable. Wine is historical. Wine is social. Wine is discovery. Wine is 
artisan & family. 

Here's the TRYnuary schedule for The Bottle Shop Tasting Room this month. Use the QR-
Code to sign up for our newsletter. 

Thurs and Fri Jan 8 & 9 - Orange Wines Explained!
Thurs & Fri Jan 15 & 16 - Wines We’ve Forgotten AboutThurs & Fri Jan 22 & 23 - Never Bored with Bordeaux 
Thurs & Fri Jan 29 & 30 - Guess the Wine Blind Tasting! 

Until next time – Salud! 

You Deserve an Agent Who 
Will Do More Than Just SellYour HomeLearn why sellers say that working with me wasthe difference between success and stress!
If you’re thinking of making amove next year give me a call!
DRE#02015404 
626.253.1323 
suecookrealtor@gmail.com 
Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com