Our old friend the tried and true Hamburger has been experiencing a bit of a renaissance these past few years. A facelift might be a more appropriate observation.
The venerable ketchup, patty, sesame bun combo we grew up on now has to share the top billing with sandwiches featuring exotic sauces, unique preparations, and different types of meats. Ronald McDonald would be filled with equal parts trepidation and pride at what Burger 2.0 has become.
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| The Mahi Mahi Burger at Coconuts |
The Real "Chicken of the Sea"?
Coconut's Fish Cafe up in North Scottsdale has created quite a buzz by transporting the super fresh and beloved recipes from Maui and bringing them to our beloved desert Valley. While their entire menu is worth exploring their true standout is the Mahi Mahi burger. The fish is mild, tender, and can be prepared multiple ways. The toasted bun, crispy slaw, and tiger sauce complement the meat perfectly. Be generous with the napkins. This is a great sandwich, but also a very messy one.
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| Beijing Noodle House |
Marco Polo Was Right
We in the West are just beginning to explore the breadth and depth of Chinese cuisine. We are especially limited here in the Valley but there are few notable exceptions like the Beijing Noodle House in Mesa. We will maintain the theme of this article and focus on their pork burger. The rest of the menu can be explored at a later date. At its core the sandwich has delicate and flavorful pieces of pork enclosed by the best english muffins this side of LGO.
The Meats of Marrakesh
Innovative chefs have fused the standard burger with culinary elements from every nook and cranny of our tasty globe. The Fez in Central Phoenix does a top notch job of introducing our staple to the flavors and spices of Northern Africa. The Lamb Sliders are a full embrace of Morocco while Fez Burger meats you half way by using the familiar high quality Angus with cinnamon pears, feta, and lemon garlic aioli.
Who Said That Meat was Needed?
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| Heathen Burger at Bourbon Steak |
Ode to Gluttony and Excessive Living
Sometimes you just want to throw caution and sensibility out the window, live in the now, and indulge in something absolutely laden in guilt and luxury. The Heathen Burger at Bourbon Steak answers the call when this inclination visits your taste buds. The line up reads as Kobe beef, foie gras torchon, napa cabbage slaw, and port glazed onions. The only thing missing is some gold leaf and an inflated sense of self-worth.
The "It Sounds So Wrong But It Tastes So Right" Category
Not to be outdone by Bourbon the good folks at Paradise Valley Burger have been stretching the limits for a few years now. The pièce de résistance is the Burger Brulee which features a fried egg, onions, burnt sugar, and a layer of soft and mild havarti cheese. Another notable item is the Country Fried Burger. No need to explain that one.
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| Peanut Butter Bliss at the Welcome Diner |
The happy hippy hipsters at the Welcome Diner have come up with some amazingly creative ways to revisit Southern Comfort Classics. While we do love their Fried Green Tomato sandwich we have to give special props to their PB&J Burger. Not since Short Leash Hot Dogs has a local establishment done such a good job of bringing this nutty paste to top billing at the dinner table.
We could list a few more but we will rely on you to fill out the offerings in the comments section. This article made us exceptionally hungry and we are out the door in search of some more exotic burger offerings.
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