Stax Burger Bistro

In a field littered with the grass fed flotsam of a hundred failed burger ventures stands out a menu that truly merits a visit.  While most burger joints go big, their slider sized offerings are just the right side and allow you to explore the menu.

The 'Must Try'- Mix and match.  We like the Kobe and Buffalo

The Shake Shack

The New York equivalent of In-And-Out, superiority complex and adjusted prices included. Anyways, the burger almost does live up to the hype.  A very solid offering, one of the best in the $5-$7 range.  Their potato roll buns serve notice to everyone else out there surrounding their beef in subpar bread.  

The 'Must Try'-  Smokeshack

Welcome Diner

In the din of a South Central Phoenix neighborhood lies a hippy infused throwback gem serving up some of the most creatively constructed southern comfort dishes this side of Paula Deen's mint julep soaked dreams.  A definite must stop when you make your many forays in the increasingly attractive downtown corridor.


The 'Must Try'- The Fried Green Tomato Sandwich

Lucky’s Burgers & Hotdog Grill

It feels like a family generated labor of love which is cool. Solid burgers but the pricing, marketing, menu need some refinement.

The 'Must Try'-  The Red Wine Burger with Waffle Fries

Lenny's Burgers

This place hearkens back to a simpler time when we just wanted a tasty burger and we didn't need the overpriced and overwrought sandwiches that currently dominate the burger landscape.


The 'Must Try'- The Cowboy Burger

Burger 21

The latest corporate upscale burger concept to do battle in an already crowded field. A solid burger and somewhat novel sauce station make up for fries that bring back repressed memories of the old high school cafeteria.

The 'Must Try'-  The Tex-Mex Haystack

Relish Burger Bistro at the Phoenician

Price and quality on par with the best burgers in the Biltmore corridor.  But Relish has something those spots don't have, a prime location at the Phoenician.  Get a great sandwich and soak in a little bit of the resort vibe.


The 'Must Try'- The Cowboy Burger

Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers

Solid burgers, though the meat could have been juicer and of a higher quality.  The menu options, location, and atmosphere make it a top spot to visit next time your big game is on.

The 'Must Try'-  The French Onion Buger

Hopdoddy Burger Bar

A solid burger offering to be sure but at this stage in the game it is given 'also ran' status as it fails to distinguish itself from the ever growing $7+ gourmet burger field.  Also feels more FoxRC and less Austin which is kind of disappointing considering that Scottsdale would be well served by giving up some of its rhino-plasticized pretense in favor of a willingness to 'keep it weird'.

The' Must Try'- The Goodnight Burger, winner of the 2014 Scottsdale Culinary Festival Burger Battle

Paradise Valley Burger Company

The creativity of this ambitious menu helps PV Burger stand out in the difficult terrain between the fast food and gourmet burger price point. A slight upgrade in their ingredients and this place will quickly outgrow the strip mall in which it resides and move to the upper echelon of the Phoenix burger scene.

The 'Must Try'- The Beach House Burger

Ole Brass Rail Bar and Grill

The working man's breakfast hole that has been feeding locals cheaply  since long before many of us could identify Phoenix on the map.I also hear this place is a good place to get a burger, drinks, and some live music.

The 'Must Try'- Just bundle a bunch of breakfast together.  It will be fine and it will be under $10

Ingo's Tasty Food

Easily the best burgers coming out of a cylindrically shaped building in all of Phoenix.  The grass fed beef is spot on juicy and the accompanying ingredients are unique and an ideal complement to the meat.  Now if only the LGO family could take a step back and learn how to build a parking lot.

The 'Must Try'- The Paris Burger and some fresh shattered potato chips

Fez

Assuming that you are handsome enough to attract the attention of the waiters it is a good spot for an uptown lunch.  Has a 'San Francisco' feel and a menu that does a great job fusing our familiar classics with a touch of the Sahara.

The 'Must Try'- How many places around town can you get a Lamb Kisra?

The Vig

Delux introduced Phoenix to the super good gourmet burger and the Vig has built upon that legacy. The Vig Azz is the burger that I think Dave Thomas and Ray Kroc probably eat up in heaven. Don't forget to explore the other items on the menu and don't forget to channel your inner Italian Octogenarian with a game of Bocce.

The 'Must Try'- Vigazz Burger with fried egg

Lucky Boy Burger Shop

A nondescript little place off 16th Street that is light on ambiance but heavy on tasty old- fashioned hamburgers. This is the type of place that cable channel "hole in the wall food showcase shows" are made for.


The 'Must Try'- The Lucky International

The Grind

As the Camelback Corridor Burger Wars escalate it is becoming more and more difficult to stand out from the pack.  The Grind makes a great claim for originality by cooking with coal  and using exotic toppings like water cress, candied jalapenos, and ratatouille.  Is this originality a good fit (think Mick Jagger) or is it just weird? (think Lady Gaga) I'm still deciding.


The 'Must Try'- The Nogales Burger

                                            
                          

Rehab Burger Therapy

It's like a Jimmy Buffet themed restaurant, the only difference being that these cheeseburgers really are paradise.    Relax, enjoy the casual vibe, and don't think about the requests for therapy that you will receive from
 your dietician when you inform them that you are a regular.

The 'Must Try'- Backyard BBQ Burger with Sweet Potato Tots


                                                            
                            

The Arcadia Tavern

 Assuming that you have the patience to deal with their insane parking lot this is one of the better watering holes in the neighborhood.  Nothing more then the bar standards but a great environment to relax with the old pals.


The 'Must Try'-The Phoenix Philly

                                                      
                                                    

Lush Burger

 I'm reminded of the old aphorism "a rising tide lifts all boats".  Lush Burger is one of many valley joints that is capitalizing on the gourmet burger trend.  It's good but not memorable.  A decent neighborhood spot but not a "destination" restaurant.

The 'Must Try'- The Bella Angus Burger

                                                     
                                                                 

The Stand Burgers and Tacos

A solid throw back burger with some 21st century "I give more of a damn about the quality of the products I eat" adjustments.  Sit back and think about the origins of the majestic hamburger...I say sit back because that is what you'll be doing waiting at the drive-through.

The 'Must Try'- The Standard with Grilled Onions