Labor Day restaurant lineup: Five Pasadena-area patios ready to step up to the plate

Labor Day weekend is here, and around Southern California, that usually means summer is heading into the late innings.

The Angels have been sold, the baseball playoffs are just around the corner, and the weather people still can’t seem to make up their minds. Will we get a little rain? Will the sun win out? Either way, I’m stepping up to the plate with four places where I’d happily spend part of the long weekend — preferably on a patio, with something cold to drink and something good to eat.

Leading off: Casa Del Rey

First stop is Casa Del Rey in Sierra Madre. I’ve been coming here long enough that you already know some of my favorites. Give me a couple of tacos, one of their margaritas and a seat on the patio, and I’m pretty happy.

But there’s another ingredient here that doesn’t show up on the menu: people watching. Baldwin Avenue gives you plenty of it. Thumbs up on the tacos, thumbs up on the margaritas and definitely a thumbs up on the patio.

Batting second: OSA Rooftop

Next, let’s go upstairs — way upstairs — to OSA Rooftop in Pasadena.

Now, I’ve reviewed OSA before, and I didn’t give every part of the experience high marks for execution. But hey, even Ohtani strikes out now and then. I’m willing to give a restaurant another at-bat, especially when the setting is this good.

The rooftop overlooking Pasadena and the San Gabriel Mountains is wonderful, and I’ll give the people-watching an A+. Grab a cocktail, enjoy the view and see what happens. Sometimes a restaurant deserves another trip to the plate.

Batting third: Tops

Not every Labor Day meal needs a waiter, a cocktail or even a knife and fork. Sometimes I just want a great pastrami sandwich.

That brings me to Tops at Walnut and Allen. I love me some pastrami, and Tops has been satisfying that craving for years. Add an order of their fresh-cut fries — yes, they’re cut fresh daily — and you’ve got my idea of an uncomplicated holiday-weekend lunch.

No fancy signals from the third-base coach here. Pastrami, fries, find yourself a spot outside and enjoy.

Batting cleanup: Kabuki

Last but certainly not least is one of my go-to Happy Hour spots, Kabuki in Pasadena. The patio is spacious, comfortable and welcoming to the whole gang. Toddlers? Bring them. Fido? There’s room for him, too.

Kabuki’s Happy Hour has long been one of the reasons I stop by, but here’s my Labor Day heads-up: holiday specials and Happy Hour schedules can change, so check with the restaurant before heading over for a specific deal.

And now, a pinch hitter: The Boat

Every good lineup needs somebody ready to come off the bench, and mine is Clearman’s Galley — better known around town as The Boat. It’s not exactly your traditional patio pick, but that’s never stopped me. Grab one of their burgers, a cold beer and settle in. The Boat has been part of the San Gabriel Valley dining scene for generations, and sometimes the best Labor Day plan is simply an old favorite you know won’t strike out.

Either way, the patio makes a nice landing spot for the long weekend.

So that’s my Labor Day starting lineup: tacos and a margarita in Sierra Madre, a rooftop cocktail in Pasadena, pastrami and fresh fries at Tops, sushi on the patio at Kabuki, and a beer at The Boat.

Summer may be heading into the late innings, but I’m not ready to call the game just yet.

Rain or shine, we still have to eat.

Did I leave your favorite Pasadena-area patio sitting on the bench? Let me know where I should go next in the comments section. And remember to listen to my podcasts, conveniently posted on this page.

Happy Labor Day, and I’ll see you around the table.