The best burgers in Arizona are spread across the Phoenix metro, and the big choice is thick and juicy or thin and crispy. For a thick burger, go to Harvey's Wineburger in Phoenix or the mesquite grill at The Chuckbox in Tempe. For smash burgers, try Stoop Kid downtown or The Stand Arcadia Burger Shoppe. In Scottsdale, Paradise Valley Burger Co. is the creative pick.
This roundup is built from the restaurants in our Phoenix burger guide, grouped by style and city. The metro is huge, so it helps to plan by area, and to check hours before you drive.
Quick picks
- Most Arizona burger: The Chuckbox, for mesquite smoke.
- Best dive bar burger: Harvey's Wineburger.
- Best smash burger: Stoop Kid or The Stand.
- Most creative: Paradise Valley Burger Co.
- Best plant-based: UNiQ Burger.
What makes Arizona burgers different
Mesquite is the closest thing the Phoenix area has to a signature burger flavor. The desert hardwood burns hot and gives a strong, smoky taste. Drive-thru and walk-up stands are also part of the local style, which makes sense in a car-centered metro with very hot summers.
The thick-versus-thin split is worth thinking about before you go. A thick patty stays juicy in the middle and works when you want something hearty. A smash burger is about the crisp, browned crust, and it's lighter, so it's easier to fit two stops into one afternoon. On a burger crawl, try one of each and compare. Our smash burger vs. regular burger guide explains the difference in detail.
Phoenix
- Harvey's Wineburger: a dim, loud dive bar on 16th Street serving thick, juicy patties cooked with red wine. It's the place for a hearty burger and a drink.
- The Stand Arcadia Burger Shoppe: a drive-thru and pickup spot on Indian School Road with no indoor seating, known for double-stacked burgers and milkshakes.
- Stoop Kid: a New York-style bagel shop at The Churchill downtown that switches to smash burgers in the afternoon.
- Culinary Gangster: thick half-pound burgers on Roosevelt Row, with turkey and vegan patties as options. It also has a North Scottsdale location.
Tempe
- The Chuckbox: an old-school, no-frills stand next to Arizona State University that grills burgers over mesquite. It's the classic place to taste the local flavor.
Want to know how wood and charcoal change a burger? Read charcoal vs. gas grill for burgers.
Scottsdale
- Paradise Valley Burger Co.: a North Scottsdale counter known for inventive burgers and shakes, including buns with torched sugar and battered patties. It also has a Tempe location.
- UNiQ Burger: a fully plant-based counter in South Scottsdale, a good pick if your group includes vegans or anyone skipping beef.
Find more creative burgers on our best gourmet burgers page, and more traditional ones on best classic burgers.
How to plan a Phoenix-area burger day
- Group stops by area. Downtown and Roosevelt Row go together, Arcadia and 16th Street go together, and Tempe and Scottsdale are separate trips.
- Mix thick and thin. Pair Harvey's or Culinary Gangster with Stoop Kid or The Stand.
- Use the drive-thrus in summer. The Stand has no indoor seating, so it's an easy grab-and-go option on a hot day.
- Time Stoop Kid right. It serves bagels first and burgers in the afternoon.
- Plan for groups. Culinary Gangster and UNiQ Burger cover diners who skip beef.
Beyond Phoenix
Our Arizona coverage is focused on the Phoenix metro for now. If you know a great burger in Tucson, Flagstaff, Sedona or a small town on the way, suggest a spot and we'll look into it.
What to order at each stop
- The Chuckbox: a mesquite-grilled burger. Keep the toppings simple so you can taste the smoke.
- Harvey's Wineburger: the signature wineburger with a drink.
- The Stand: a double-stacked burger and a milkshake from the drive-thru.
- Stoop Kid: an afternoon smash burger. Come back another morning for bagels.
- Culinary Gangster: a thick half-pound burger, or a turkey or vegan patty.
- Paradise Valley Burger Co.: one of the inventive burgers and a shake.
- UNiQ Burger: anything on the menu, since it's all plant-based.
Summer heat is real in the Valley. Drive-thru and pickup spots like The Stand are easy on hot days, and indoor bars like Harvey's are a good escape.
Make an Arizona-style burger at home
To get a Chuckbox-style smoky flavor, grill over charcoal and add a few mesquite chunks. Our guide to how to grill burgers covers heat zones, and how long to grill burgers gives timing by thickness. If you prefer thin and crispy, our ultimate smash burger recipe works on a griddle or skillet. Use an instant-read meat thermometer and cook ground beef to 160°F for USDA-recommended doneness.
FAQ
What is the best burger in Arizona?
For a classic local flavor, The Chuckbox's mesquite-grilled burger in Tempe. For a thick, juicy patty, Harvey's Wineburger in Phoenix. For a smash burger, Stoop Kid or The Stand.
What is a wineburger?
At Harvey's Wineburger, it's a thick patty cooked with red wine, served in a dim, lively dive bar on 16th Street.
Where can I get a vegan burger in Phoenix?
UNiQ Burger in South Scottsdale is fully plant-based, and Culinary Gangster offers vegan patties too.
Where can I get a burger near ASU?
The Chuckbox sits right next to Arizona State University in Tempe, and Paradise Valley Burger Co. also has a Tempe location.
Is The Stand a sit-down restaurant?
No. The Stand Arcadia Burger Shoppe is a drive-thru and pickup spot with no indoor seating.
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