In this onetime cowtown, it’s not hard to find well-prepared beef. If you like yours ground up and topped with a dazzling array of complements – everything from standards like American cheese to such exotics as quesabirria – you’re in the right place. Here are some of our favorite burgers, in all parts of Tucson. Come armed with an appetite; most of the patties are oversized and what’s a burger without fries?
A little known south side spot, Amigos delivers hefty, satisfying burgers. While they default to medium cooking, you can request a medium-rare patty. The signature Amigo Burger is lavished with avocado slices, pepper jack cheese, bacon, and a smoky chipotle mayo. A spicy ketchup for your fries completes the meal.
Near the south side of town, this burger spot is not to be missed. After you finish one of their scrumptious appetizers (try the Twisters), check out The Samurai. It blends Eastern and Western ingredients — cream cheese, diced cabbage, scallions, and a sweet Asian sauce. Unique and satisfying!
The appropriately named 19th Hole burger — Cayton’s is at the Golf Club at Dove Mountain —Â might appear simple, but it achieves culinary perfection with Wagyu beef, aged cheddar, tomato jam, black truffle aioli, crispy onions, and pecan wood bacon. Every ingredient is refreshingly fresh, and their careful preparation lets the inherent beauty of simplicity shine. The onions and truffle aioli give it that extra spark.
The burger is $28 with a side. Additionally, for $6 more, treat yourself to their Black Diamond Mac & Cheese, arguably the best in town.
Ditching the flashy toppings. The Suit delivers a picture-perfect classic bacon cheeseburger.
A house-made sesame bun cradles two beef patties, American cheese, horseradish pickles, thick-cut bacon, thinly shaved yellow onion, and dijonnaise, which adds a flavorful mustard seed tang. The thinly shaved onion imparts just the right amount of flavor without overwhelming the palate.
Due to popular demand, you can now find this burger on the brunch menu at sister restaurant Prep & Pastry, as the “Commoner’s Burger.”
The Funny Farm Hand offers a unique blend of creamy peanut butter, jalapeño raspberry jam, candied bacon, sweet hot pickles, and white cheddar. The patty, a blend of brisket, chuck, and short rib, is one of the best in the city.
If you’re looking for an incredible burger paired with an impressive beer selection, head over to Ermanos on 4th and grab yourself an Old Pueblo burger.
A brioche bun is loaded with spicy beef chorizo, roasted poblano, avocado, tomato, and chiltepin aioli. If that’s not mouthwatering enough, throw on some cheese and thick-cut bacon for a few extra bucks and go to town on that bad boy.
Best of all, it’s also on the Happy Hour menu!
We love Fini’s nice buns! They’re soft, plump, great for grabbing a handful of… yes, indeed, we are big fans of those *burger* buns!
The Chubasco burger nestles a classic and tasty medley between those buns: apple-smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, fried jalapeños, and Chubasco aioli. Yum!
While the menu isn’t brimming with wild combinations, Graze offers you the chance to craft your perfect burger with an extensive list of toppings — the grilled jalapeños are a rare find elsewhere. The thin patties are seared nicely and served with fresh lettuce and veggies.
Graze’s fries are crafted from Kennebec potatoes, a variety also used at In-N-Out Burger, but the restaurant employs a Belgian cooking technique. For table service and additional options, visit sister restaurant Truland Burgers & Greens.
A family-friendly diner with a seemingly unfriendly name, Grumpy’s has been an award-winning Tucson staple for years. The obvious choice is the “Most Wanted Burger,” a rich and filling bacon cheeseburger with all the fixings. It’s not only delicious but, with a price tag of under $10 (fries included), it’s a screamin’ deal, too!
The signature Hub Burger is generously topped with melted Swiss cheese, house-made pastrami, and coleslaw. While pastrami might seem like an odd addition, think of it as bacon made from beef.
Not just a seafood paradise, Kingfisher serves a burger will knock you off your seat with a full half pound of ground beef loaded up with your choice of bacon, cheese, peppers, caramelized onions, and more!
Oh, and they’re sided by the best shoestring fries in the city. Just FYI.
Easily 4th Ave’s most renowned burger joint, Lindy’s is a community staple with nothing but options, options, and more options.
Check out the Heckle & Jeckle — cream cheese, bacon, caramelized onion bacon jam, crispy onions, and jalapeños. It sounds a little wild, but trust us, it’s rich and tasty!
The Cowboy Burger is stacked with a half-pound Angus chuck patty cooked to your preference, pepper jack cheese, thick hickory center-cut bacon, crispy onion rings, and “Daytona” sauce, a blend of tangy barbecue and Buffalo wing sauce. The brioche bun is sourced from Viro’s Bakery.
You’ll get a bit of a kick with the juicy Jam Burger, Angus beef topped with smoked cheddar, bacon jam, and (the source of the heat) chili aioli, but in a good way. This northwest brewpub is known for its great selection of beer and its chill patio with spectacular Santa Catalina views.
Available for both lunch and dinner but noteworthy as one of the few late-night options, The Parish Burger tantalizes with a combination of blue cheese, bacon, sweet and savory red onion marmalade, and Dijon mustard on a kaiser roll. This mix provides a powerful array of savory, salty, sweet, and spicy flavors.
A neighborhood favorite, Red Garter has amassed a loyal fan base with its half-pound burgers. While the signature Red Garter Burger is a staple, Scotty’s Black & Blue Bacon Burger deserves a try, featuring blackened spices, blue cheese, and bacon.
Twenty plus years of experience goes into these magnificent Tucson/Sonoran meaty masterpieces.
The Big Kahuna burger brings a sweet and savory crunch with Thunder sauce, lettuce, pickles, grilled pineapple, teriyaki glaze, and pepper jack cheese. Throw some loaded fries on the side; they pack a punch too.
Truland Burgers & Greens is a great spot to head if you’re looking for antibiotic- and hormone-free beef. The Firecracker Burger has a kick to it, with pepper jack cheese, grilled jalapeños, and sriracha mayo.
Oh, and grab the sweet potato tots! You don’t see them on many menus and they are delightful.
These burgers are so good that we couldn’t choose just one. So check out EITHER…
The French Dip — similar to the classic sandwich, the burger patty is smothered in melted brie, caramelized onions, mushrooms, and served with an au jus dipping broth.
The Tuscan — eggplant, pesto, mozzarella diced tomatoes, on a ciabatta bun? Sold.
If you’re in need of crispy fries, creamy milkshakes, AND a juicy burger, Zinburger should be at the top of your list.
Go right for their classic Samburger with applewood smoked bacon, American cheese, lettuce & 1000 Island dressing. We say upgrade to the Double Truffle Fries as well — worth it!