12 Spots to Nosh on Sliders on Game Day

Parties, game days, and celebrations are perfect opportunities to grab hold of a couple of mini filled buns. The tiny hamburgers are surprisingly filling and packed with flavor.

Sliders have made an appearance as house-party and game-day classics for years because they’re simple, tasty, and easy to make — just combine quality meat and sauce on a tiny bun. Viola, irresistible party food.

Although sliders are technically mini hamburgers, they’ve transitioned to hot sandwiches with a variety of meats, cheeses, and toppings.

Around town, we found some stellar prime rib-, buffalo chicken-, vegetarian-, and even soft-shell crab sliders. Here are 12 local places to get your fill.

Union Public House

4340 N. Campbell Ave.

The Union Sliders are smoky, juicy mini patties wedged between lightly toasted bread. A thick cut of bacon and crunchy pickled jalapeno top each one.

Want something tangy and crisp to finish? Chew on that extra house-brined dill pickle.

For more information, visit uniontucson.com.

Trident Grill

2033 E. Speedway Blvd. • 2910 N. Swan Rd. • 250 S. Craycroft Rd.

https://www.facebook.com/TridentGrill/photos/a.413547631069/10156286641561070/?type=3&theater

Trident Grill offers a few types, such as the Soft Shell Crab Sliders and Grass Fed Sliders.

Soft Shell Crab Sliders feature lightly fried soft-shell crab bathed in remoulade sauce, topped with red onion on a tomato brioche. The Cajun-style sauce adds a depth of flavor to the seafood slider.

For more information, visit tridentgrill.com.

Dante’s Fire

2526 E. Grant Rd.

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Take a house-made Cajun butter roll and top it with gouda, chipotle aioli, chorizo, and red jalapeno jam and you’ve got Dante’s Chorizo Sliders. The restaurant’s philosophy of using whole foods for their dishes shows up in these spicy, shareable burgers.

For more information, visit dantesfireaz.com.

Elliott’s On Congress

135 E. Congress St.

Elliott’s Duck Sliders feature pulled duck tossed in an orange-chili sauce with onion crisps on mini brioche buns. The savory, slightly smoky duck swims in the silky sauce and lingers in your mouth, even after the last bite.

For more information, visit elliottsoncongress.com.

Rusty’s Family Restaurant & Sports Grille

2075 W. Grant Rd.

House-made American dishes, like the tender Buffalo Chicken Sliders, can be found at Rusty’s Family Restaurant & Sports Grille. You have a choice between Buffalo Chicken and ground sirloin Sliders. Opt for the chicken topped with blue cheese crumbles, served with french fries or tater tots.

For more information, visit rustystucson.com.

The Bite in American Eat Co.

1439 S. Fourth Ave.

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At The Bite, in American Eat Co.’s food court, take your pick of five different types of sliders.

The vegetarian Stuffed Poblano Bite — a slider stuffed with mushrooms, sautéed onions, and cheddar — is worth checking out. If you want something a little meaty, the Bacon Swiss Slider with a side of garlic parmesan fries will make you drool.

For more information, visit americaneatco.com.

The Living Room

2905 E. Skyline Dr. Ste. 168

La Encantada’s wine bar, The Living Room, provides a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy a glass of wine and some sliders.

Their Grilled Chicken Sliders are topped with Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, and a rich demi-glace. The Prime Rib Sliders feature gorgonzola crumbles, creamy horseradish, and are served with a side of jus.

For more information, visit livingroomwinebar.com.

Sentinel Peak Brewing

4746 E. Grant Rd.

This microbrewery, serving award-winning craft beer, was founded by a group of local firefighters. In addition to a great beer selection, they have three different types of scrumptious sliders to choose from — all served on brioche.

Choose between a turkey breast, bacon, tomato, and avocado slider with ranch; a mesquite-smoked pulled-pork slider with house-made creamy slaw and Rusty Truck BBQ sauce; or a Mesquite-smoked beef tri-tip slider with horseradish aioli and caramelized onions. What a mouthful – of goodness, that is.

For more information, visit sentinelpeakbrewing.com.

Pastiche Modern Eatery

3025 N. Campbell Ave.

The Prime Rib Sliders at Pastiche feature thin-sliced prime rib topped with manchego cheese, caramelized onion cream, and horseradish. Served on locally sourced brioche buns, with a side of jus, the soft and buttery buns are perfect for dunking (or eating as is). If that hasn’t got your attention, these bad boys are served with a pile of well-seasoned shoestring fries.

Keep up with Pastiche Modern Eatery on Facebook.

The Canyon’s Crown

6958 E. Tanque Verde Rd.

This British-style restaurant and pub serves a variety of bar eats. The Canyon’s Crown Angus Sliders feature three smokey Angus steak sliders that pair particularly with any microbrew from their impressive rotating selection. Swap out the French fries for sweet onions fried in a light beer batter.

For more information, visit canyonscrown.com.

Ghini’s French Caffe

1803 E. Prince Rd.

Ghini’s expands their menu on Friday and Saturday nights — this includes a selection of appetizers and entrées inspired by the South of France.

The dinner menu features the French Onion Beef Sliders topped with wine-glazed grilled onions, Gruyere cheese, and black pepper aioli on freshly baked brioche buns.

For more information, visit ghiniscafe.com.

Zona 78

7301 E. Tanque Verde Rd.

Zona 78’s Italian and Mediterranean-style appetizers include their saucy, savory Meatball Sliders. The perfectly seasoned meatballs, smothered in ricotta, are the ultimate satisfaction. Mini brioche buns top the scratch-made bites.

For more information, visit zona78.com.