Hamburger Hamlet

My wife and I love to eat at Hamburger Hamlet in Pasadena. This is one of our favorite restaurants for atmosphere and a really good hamburger. So, when we received an email coupon for my wife?s birthday we thought it would be an easy decision to visit for a nice meal. We decided to invite my parents since we always enjoy their company. So we had four excited people at our table to have a good meal with good company. We ordered and presented the coupon for a free meal (with the purchase of another entree equal or higher in price). After our meal we received the check and noticed they took off the cost of my dad?s hamburger ($9.95). We asked why they didn?t take off the cost of my wife?s salmon ($16.95) since I had ordered a meal which was higher in price. The waitress went straight to the manager on duty that night (Bob). Bob came over with our coupon and read it to us while emphasizing the part where it states, ?free with purchase of equal or higher priced entree.? I simply told him I had ordered exactly that?a higher priced item. After two more loud reiterations of the same sentence from Bob I told him that we will pay the bill as is but would just like him to know we disagree with the fine print of the offer since I had ordered a meal for the same or higher in price. Bob said, ?I agree? and left the table for us to pay the bill. Unfortunately, I really enjoy the food at Hamburger Hamlet, so I cannot swear off of the place all together. But I certainly will not go back for a long time because I am very upset with how a so-called manager treated us in front of other patrons. There are too many other places in town with good hamburgers. Pros: Good Hamburgers Cons: Extremely Poor Management Service more

Server was uncaring and ignored repeated requests to get drink order correct. We were nervous that he wasn't going to get our food order right, his attitude was nonchalant at best. Thankfully he did get the order correct but checked on us once and then disappeared. We never got refills on our drinks and it took 10 minutes for us to find him to get our check. Good food but very disappointing service. Server had a very poor attitude and should not be in the restaurant business. I don't know how they stay open in Pasadena when there's so much competition around and much better options out there. I definitely DON'T recommend this place and would advise you to seek another establishment to spend your time and money. Pros: Good tasty food Cons: Horrible service, dated interior/ambiance more

I have been going to Hamlet on and off for years. They have improved significantly over the past year . I spoke with the GM on my last visit, and he had told me the company was under new ownershipand senior managment as well. It's apparent when you walk in there. Take a look at their new menu. Last time I had the California Market Salad and the Pan roasted chicken. Nothing like either of them. The food is sooo much better, with all their new menu items. They definitley have something for everyone. I highly reccomend it. Great place for family and kids, as I take mine there around twice per month. Pros: New Menu, Better Service, Private Parties Cons: Tables look a little old more

truly has the best burger...and the mudslide dessert is great too.... some locations are better than others. more

I am an avid foodie and know a good meal vs. a bad one and the hamlet was great! I wasn't sure what to expect because people either love it or hate it for some reason. We had the yummiest dinner and the service was efficient and cordial. I checked the pasadena city website - they have this handy restaurant database where you can look up health ratings from the city..I checked the Hamlet and they had a high A. I checked others, and they were one of the only ones in the city with that high of score. This is my new neighborhood restaurant when I need good value, good food and a vintage, fun atmosphere and and a clean kitchen! more

I think people go here for the name.The service is slooooooooooooow! The burger was dry and tasteless a poor excuse for a hamburger joint,a better burger could be had anywhere else esp at this location Pros: Are they're any? Cons: free but always crowed parking, loud &crowded(the chairs are too close together) more

Love this place, especially if you sit in the bar or by the fireplace. The back of the restaurant is very ""clubby"" but not too into the front (whenever someone comes in the front door, there is a big, cold burst of wind. My husband loves the schooner of beer and a blue cheese burger. I like getting a martini and the chateaubriand burger. My friend adores the fish & chips. Pros: free parking, usually no wait, dependable service Cons: chicken pot pie more

A Hamburger Hamlet is a Hamburger Hamlet. From one to the other, they're generally all the same. Large hamburgers, mediocre french fries, and slow service. There are so many other places these days to get great hamburgers in Pasadena...and if you're going to the Hamlet for other food items, there are better choices within a square of two blocks. Open your eyes and look around. more

It doesn't matter which Hamlet you go to, you never get good service. If you call to order a pick up you get hung up on or you are told (not asked) to call back. If you want to speak to a manager, you get talked down to. I would never, ever, ever patronize Hambuger Hamlet again. more

My group and I were seated 45 minutes after our reserved time, and the restaurant was half empty. They also didn't bring us the salads, soups, and garlic breads that was supposed to come with our meals. Also, we had to ask for our bill four times before they finally brought it to us. The food was average but the service was horrible. I do not recommend this place, the bad service just ruins the whole night for you. more

Hamburger Hamlet is unrivalled when you're in the mood for a hamburger. The other items on the menu are average or less, except for the rich, creamy milkshakes. But just for the hamburgers, this is one of my favorite restaurants to go to, especially when I don't want to spend too much for a meal. Pros: Hamburgers, Hamburgers, great value Cons: , other food more

Whenever there was a birthday on the team we would go to this place for lunch. It has great burgers, can accommodate large parties and the service is quick. Everything on the menu good. more

If you are craving a hamburger then you must go to Hamburger Hamlet. There is a wide selection of toppings. This is also a great place if you have a large party. The service is quick and the atmosphere relaxing. more

This is not fast food place for burgers- It is actually a nice place to dine with a good burger and an apple martini. Now the decor inside this place great, the food and is one to match. If you are looking for a fancy hamburger place then Hamburger Hamlet is the place to be. more

They have the best sauteed mushroom burger - big juicy mushrooms smothered with cheese and cooked to perfection! They also have good onion rings for an appetizer! more

I like the hamlets when I come here. They are always done the way i like them and the service is great as well. They have a bar and the drinks are really good too. I would recommend you try it out. They have many selections too in their menu. more

I love Hamlet's Split Pea Soup with Garlic Toast. So good. I also love their Philly sandwich. The place is so cozy, and the service is great. I've had their Cesar Salad, but the dressing was a bit tart...I didn't like it at all. Their Cajun Popcorn Shrimp are really good as well. Parking is a pain, but if you can land a spot, you're set. This place is good for large groups, and very romantic. Pros: Split Pea Soup, Service, Ambience Cons: Limited Parking more

I went to this Hambuger Hamlet with my fiance after work and it was well worth it. They sat us next to a fireplace and made it look very romantic. The service was mediocre but the food and atmosphere made up for it. It made me feel like I was in a ski resort lodge! My food was tasty and they gave good portions. The pricing was reasonable too. Pros: Nice atmosphere, reasonable pricing, good burgers Cons: unattentive service more

The burgers and other dishes I have had were all above average and worthy of the price paid. The atmoshpere was conducive to conversation and relaxing. more

Not sure if it is the high back, red naugahyde chairs or the dimly lit rooms but this restaurant has the field of an old school restaurant. Great burgers, onion soup and lobster brisque. I am also a big fan of their breakfast, great vegetarian omlets and a passable eggs benedict. The only bad thing is their bleu cheese dressing - get the bleu cheese crumbles or stick to ranch! Pros: burgers, lots of room Cons: dressings more