Lake Highlands neighbor Dave Culwell, owner of well-reviewed local smashburger spot Burger Schmurger, is bringing his ”schmurgers” to Oak Highlands Brewery this weekend to raise money for his hometown of Los Angeles.
From 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 26 at Oak Highlands Brewery’s taproom off Plano Road, Culwell and his team will grill up smashburgers in exchange for donations, with all proceeds benefiting the Pasadena Educational Foundation’s fire response fund. The nonprofit supports public schools in Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre through fundraising $12-15 million annually for the Pasadena Unified School District, where Culwell’s children went before moving to Dallas.
“I just kept sitting here going, What can I do 1500 miles away? What can I do? What can I do to help these people? I said, ‘I’m just gonna cook and then do a fundraiser,’ Culwell said.
Originally from Orange County, Culwell spent “most of his adult life” in Altadena, an area currently affected by the Eaton Fire, which the LA Times reports to have destroyed 9,418 structures and damaged 1,073 more. A total 17 deaths have been confirmed. He says of the 59 people he has called, 55 have lost their homes.
“Altadena is a really rich community,” Culwell said. “It’s really rich in culture, and it’s such a diverse area. Everything about it is just really unique, and I fear that it’s never going to be the same again. It’s anything from musicians I know, jazz musicians, they left with the clothes on their back and their saxophone. They’re sleeping on the floor at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on a cot.”
He says he and celebrity chef friends like John Tesar will cook until supplies run out. The “schmurger” is made with double smashed beef patties, yellow onions, american cheese, house-made sauce and pickles.
Neighbors can make donations with cash, through venmo or this link to get a burger at the event. There will also be a local vendor market, live band and meat raffle. Additionally, $1 from each beer sold will be donated. Culwell says he and his team will work the event for free, paying for food costs himself, as 100% of proceeds will go towards the PEF.
Culwell, who now lives in Lake Highlands with his family, announced late last year that Burger Schmurger would open its first brick-and-mortar location in the former Bar None space on Buckner Boulevard. The concept operated as a pop-up after premiering in 2020 before finding a semipermanent home at High Fives on Greenville Avenue. It’s fitting that Oak Highlands will serve as the venue for Sunday’s event, as it hosted some of Burger Schmurger’s first pop-ups. The new location is expected to open in March of this year.
Oak Highlands Brewery is located at 10484 Brockwood Rd.
