Rose Bowl Dining Options: Eating in Pasadena, California

Pasadena is a wonderful city filled with charm and history. It is also home to the famous football game on New Year's Day, The Rose Bowl. If you're in town to watch the game, check out these great restaurants in Pasadena.

Louise's Trattoria

Nothing fills a person up like great Italian food and pizza after a football game. Louise's Trattoria has both and everything in between. For appetizers, choose from Burrata and Beets (Burrata cheese and roasted beets), Fritto Misto, Shrimp Scampi and many others. For entrées, choices include Chicken Picatta, Tuscan Rib Eye, Linguine Pescatore and Penne Bolognese. Pizzas can be ordered by the topping or by the special (try The Sonoma which includes asparagus, pine nuts and Sonoma goat cheese). Louise's Trattoria is located at 2-8 East Colorado Blvd in Pasadena. For more information, call (626) 568-3030.

Crocodile Café

Crocodile Café specializes in California cuisine, and prepares burgers, pizzas and salads. Their Oakwood pizza oven is wood-fired and is used to perfectly bake the hand-tossed pizzas. Among their hits that Rose Bowl fans would like are: Beer Battered Sweet Onion Rings, Crispy Calamari with Curry Slaw, Kobe Cheese Burger, Smoked Clam Pizza, Grilled Cuban Chicken Breast and Oakwood Chicken with roasted garlic and rosemary. Crocodile Café is located at 140 S Lake Ave in Pasadena. For more information, call (626) 768-3307.

Smitty's Grill

If you're looking for all-American fare after the Rose Bowl, head over to Smitty's Grill on Lake Ave. While Smitty's Grill may have a modern style for the dining room, the menu is all about comfort with such items as Pot Roast and Root Vegetables, Marion's Famous Meatloaf, Double Cut Grilled Rack of Lamb, Cornmeal Crusted Idaho Rainbow Trout and Hearts of Romaine Salad with Point Reyes Bleu Cheese. You can find Smitty's at 110 S Lake Ave in Pasadena. For more information, call (626) 792-9999.

Fu-Shing Chinese Restaurant

Fu-Shing in Pasadena is the place to go for Chinese food in Pasadena. A strong reputation follows its menu, and the restaurant even has a buzz section on its web page. Serving Szechuan food, you can eat-in, take-out or have it delivered if you are watching the Rose Bowl at home. Besides finding the usual seafood, pork and noodle dishes, you can also find 'Specially Good Dishes' such as Scallop with Fire Roasted Garlic, Empire Honey Ham (with chestnut honey sauce), Spicy and Peppery Soupy Beef and Firecracker Lamb. Their South China Sea Seafood Soup is a must have if you're there. Fu-Shing Chinese Restaurant is located at 2960 E Colorado Blvd in Pasadena. For more information, call (626) 792-8898.

Spitz

If eating a sandwich at a local hot spot is more up your alley when at the Rose Bowl, visit Spitz. They specialize in minced beef or lamb sandwiches (their Doner Kabob) and they are as fun to look at as they are to order. All sandwiches are served on toasted focaccia bread or lavash with accompaniments such as hummus, tzatziki, jalapeños and balsamic vinaigrette. Side dishes include a salad, sweet potato fries, fried pita strips served with hummus and thin-cut seasoned fries. They also have gelato and sorbetto in such exotic flavors as Burgundy Cherry, Fudge Brownie Sundae Swirl, Lemon Ginger and Blackberry Merlot. Spitz is located at 2506 Colorado Blvd in Pasadena. For more information, call (323) 257-5600.