Best Burgers in Phoenix
Phoenix burgers come in two camps: thin, crispy smash burgers and very thick, juicy patties, from a red-wine dive bar to a mesquite grill next to ASU.
Where to Eat
How to eat burgers in Phoenix
Phoenix burgers tend to fall into two camps: thin, crispy smash burgers and very thick, juicy patties. The metro area is huge, so the scene is spread across Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale, and some of the best spots are stands and counters rather than sit-down restaurants. There's also a strong plant-based option for anyone skipping beef.
A few areas are worth knowing. Downtown Phoenix and Roosevelt Row have the newest spots, including a bagel shop that switches to burgers. Arcadia and Uptown along 16th Street have a drive-thru stand and a classic dive bar. Tempe, by Arizona State University, has a decades-old burger stand, and Scottsdale has creative and vegan counters. Every spot below appears on the cards above, and our restaurant directory has more.
Best burgers in Phoenix by style
Smash burgers
Stoop Kid is a New York-style bagel shop at The Churchill downtown that serves smash burgers in the afternoon. The Stand Arcadia Burger Shoppe on Indian School Road is a drive-thru and pickup spot with no indoor seating, known for double-stacked burgers and milkshakes. See more on our best smash burgers page, and read smash burger vs. regular burger to compare styles.
Thick, classic burgers
Harvey's Wineburger on 16th Street is a dim, loud dive bar serving thick, juicy patties cooked with red wine. The Chuckbox in Tempe is an old-school, no-frills stand next to ASU that grills burgers over mesquite. Culinary Gangster on Roosevelt Row serves thick half-pound burgers, with turkey and vegan patties as options, and has a second location in North Scottsdale. Browse more on our best classic burgers page.
Creative and gourmet
Paradise Valley Burger Co. in North Scottsdale is known for inventive burgers and shakes, including buns with torched sugar and battered patties. It also has a location in Tempe. See our best gourmet burgers page for more.
Plant-based
UNiQ Burger in South Scottsdale is a fully plant-based counter, a good pick if your group includes vegans or anyone avoiding beef.
Local burger traditions
Mesquite is the closest thing Phoenix has to a signature burger flavor. The desert hardwood burns hot and gives a strong, smoky taste, and The Chuckbox is the classic place to try it. Drive-thru and walk-up stands are also part of the local style, which makes sense in a city built around cars and hot weather. Learn how cooking over wood and charcoal changes a burger in charcoal vs. gas grill for burgers.
The thick-versus-thin split is worth thinking about before you go. A thick patty, like the ones at Harvey's Wineburger or Culinary Gangster, stays juicy in the middle and is best when you want something hearty. A smash burger, like the ones at Stoop Kid or The Stand, is all about the crisp, browned crust and is lighter, so it's easier to fit two stops into one afternoon. If you're planning a burger crawl, mix one of each and compare.
Tips for visiting
- The Chuckbox in Tempe is cash only.
- The Stand has no indoor seating, so plan to eat in your car or take it home.
- Stoop Kid serves bagels in the morning and burgers later in the day.
- Summer heat is intense. Go early or late, and favor spots with indoor seating from June through September.
- Pair stops by area: Stoop Kid and Culinary Gangster are both downtown, and Paradise Valley Burger Co. and UNiQ Burger are both in Scottsdale.
- Make a smash burger at home with our ultimate smash burger recipe, or try our plant-based smash burger.
- Know a Phoenix spot we missed? Suggest a spot.
Browse by style
Want just one kind of burger? See our shortlists of the best cheap burgers in Phoenix.
FAQ
What is the best burger in Phoenix?
For a thick classic, try Harvey's Wineburger or The Chuckbox. For a smash burger, go to Stoop Kid or The Stand. For something creative, try Paradise Valley Burger Co.
Where can I find a cheap burger in Phoenix?
The Chuckbox and The Stand are casual, no-frills spots that keep things simple.
Is there a vegan burger spot in Phoenix?
Yes. UNiQ Burger in Scottsdale is fully plant-based, and Culinary Gangster offers a vegan patty.
What is a wineburger?
At Harvey's Wineburger, thick patties are cooked with red wine, giving them a rich, juicy flavor.