Nothing beats the pure satisfaction of biting into a juicy, perfectly-built burger, especially when you’re hungry and craving something close to home. Whether you want smoky charbroiled patties, creative toppings or just a no-fuss classic, Phoenix has some of the best burger joints around.
Let’s get to it.
Chicago Hamburger Co
In Arcadia, Chicago Hamburger Company has been serving up Chicago classics since 1975. They focus on straightforward burgers, sliders, Vienna dogs, wings and Italian beef done the proper Chicago way with poppy seed buns, sports peppers, neon relish and even sauerkraut when you want it. The beef patties come char-broiled, and you can choose thick or slider size. Turkey, veggie or broiled chicken patties are available, too.
They’ve got a massive Bacon Cheeseburger and a Western version topped with bacon and crisp onion rings. Fries come standard but you can upgrade to chili cheese for extra flavor. The spot has a fun, casual energy thanks to a Ms. Pac-Man machine, a claw game and TVs showing the latest sports. Outdoors you’ll find a few pet-friendly tables if your dog tags along. Their malts and shakes are super creamy, made fresh with Shamrock Dairies ice cream, and they even rotate daily specials. It all adds up to a local favorite that keeps it honest and simple.
Lucky’s Burgers & Shakes
Down in north Phoenix, Lucky’s Burgers & Shakes delivers that old-school counter-order vibe straight out of an after-school memory. This spot in a weathered strip mall focuses on no-frills charbroiled beef patties cooked until they’re smoky and just a bit crispy around the edges. You can go single, double or go big with a half-pounder if you’re feeling bold.
The green chile cheeseburger is a standout, loaded with roasted Hatch chiles and melted cheese. Add-ons like bacon and Swiss, onion straws or sautéed mushrooms all land on the same soft bun you probably remember from your childhood. Fries are hand-cut daily and seasoned well, with a chili-cheese option if you want to kick things up.
Their shakes and malts come in fun twists like brownie peanut butter and Butterfinger banana, and they even squeeze fresh lemonade on hot days. There’s no patio or drive-thru here, just burgers, fries and shakes served with genuine small-town charm that’s hard to beat.
Original Hamburger Works
Since 1977, Original Hamburger Works has been firing up mesquite-grilled burgers that feel like a true Phoenix staple. Step inside and you’ll find a cozy retro bar decked out in local sports gear and quirky memorabilia. The main draw is the burger selection. You start with your size pick: the Big One (1/3 pound), the Great Big One or, if you’re daring, the one-pound Super Great One.
They have specialty burgers, too. The Fiesta Burger stacks guacamole and bacon, the Border Burger comes loaded with chili, and the Hawaiian throws pineapple on your patty. The buns are sourced locally, and you can grab hand-cut fries, onion rings, zucchini sticks or sautéed mushrooms on the side.
Beyond beef, there’s broiled fish, chicken and a garden burger if someone in your group wants a lighter option. Kids especially love piling on their own toppings from the fixings bar. Outside, the patio has plenty of seating and even ping-pong tables to keep the vibe laid-back. After 45 years, Original Hamburger Works still nails the local, relaxed feel.
Chelsea’s Kitchen
Chelsea’s Kitchen brings a rustic roadhouse vibe just off Camelback Road. The adobe-brick walls, vaulted ceilings and warm wood accents make it feel cozy and upscale at the same time. They used Arizona materials throughout, and you can actually catch their slow-smoker working on-site as you walk in.
Burgers are a highlight, built with house-ground Angus that you can order rare or medium-rare, plus options like ahi tuna or a black bean burger with nut cheese. The Green Chile Burger is a local favorite, piled high with roasted chiles and sharp cheddar. Everything arrives on a fresh bun or you can choose a lettuce wrap if you prefer.
The menu also covers rotisserie chicken, taco platters and rotating daily soups, and brunch on weekends is a solid choice if you’re in that mood. The bar pours tequila flights, prickly pear margaritas and sangria, which explains the valet parking. The combination of inventive food and laid-back patio seating makes Chelsea’s Kitchen a go-to spot for Arizona style.
Arizona Wilderness DTPHX
Downtown Phoenix gets interesting at Arizona Wilderness DTPHX, where burgers take center stage and everything is built from scratch. They lean hard into local ingredients—Arizona Wagyu, grass-raised beef, Noble Bread, Breadworks brioche—so you know every bite is hometown proud. Creative combos like the PB&J Burger with house peanut butter sauce and jalapeño jelly somehow just make sense. Pair it with duck-fat fries if you want to go wild, or stick to hand-cut fries for a classic vibe. Sides rotate daily, so you might get truffle fries one visit and chili-lime sweet potato wedges the next.
The beer lineup is just as fun with about 30 rotating taps featuring IPAs, lagers, sours, cider-beer hybrids and even house-made sodas. The patio fills up with picnic tables, fire pits and shipping containers, all set against a bold, Phoenix-style mural. Order at the bar or scan a QR code, then settle in—service is laid-back and there’s no dress code. Open late, it draws families, dog walkers, art lovers and regulars alike. Street parking can be a bit of a treasure hunt, but that’s part of the Roosevelt Row charm.
Rocket Burger & Subs
Stepping into Rocket Burger & Subs feels like wandering into an old corner store that decided to throw a party. The mismatched chairs, booming rocket mural and vintage boom box up on the ceiling give it a playful vibe. Since 2010, these guys have been mastering fast-casual comfort food thanks to owners who cut their teeth at Domino’s and A&W.
The menu is loaded with thin-patty burgers and wild twists. The namesake Rocket Burger stacks three beef patties in a foot-long sub roll piled high with cheese, lettuce and tomato. There are garlic melts, pineapple-topped patties, Philly-style burgers and even pastrami or homemade chili options. Chicken sandwiches and a gyro burger give non-beef eaters plenty to enjoy. Sides are an everything-fried affair—onion rings, cheese curds, mini corn dogs—and the soda station boasts over 200 bottled flavors from root beer to chocolate. If you still have room, they even have soft-serve ice cream.
Parking is a breeze, there’s outdoor seating, and kids are more than welcome. It’s casual, family-friendly and all about showing up hungry and leaving happy.
Ingo’s Tasty Food
When locals want a top-notch burger without fuss, they head to Ingo’s Tasty Food. You’ll find classic cheddar cheeseburgers, but the menu really shines with surprises like the Ingo Burger, sporting a Reuben spin—Dijon, Fol Épi cheese and sauerkraut on a poppy-seed bun. The Paris Texas throws pancetta and barbecue sauce into the ring for a sweet-smoky punch. Burgers arrive thick, juicy and usually medium-rare unless you ask differently. Those pillowy buns from LGO Bake Shop give every bite a real upgrade over grocery shelves.
It isn’t just about burgers. Folks rave about breakfast items like deviled eggs and a hearty chorizo burrito. House-made potato chips set a new standard for crunch. The cocktail list features the Lavender Lemonade and Ingo’s Greyhound, plus a coffee bar pumping out creative lattes you never knew you needed. The bright, open interior doesn’t take itself too seriously, and the shaded patio with misters welcomes dogs. Family-owned since 2013, they serve breakfast through late dinner and make pickup orders a breeze.
Hatch It: Green Chile Burgers & Tacos
At Hatch It: Green Chile Burgers & Tacos, the menu stays focused and bold, all in the name of Hatch chiles. Sourced straight from a fifth-generation New Mexico farm, those smoky green gems show up in the freshly baked chile buns every morning. Owners Gary and Kathy Emineth keep the spotlight on bold, authentic flavor.
You won’t get 50 burger choices here, but the ones on offer hit hard. The Green Chile Santa Fe layers roasted Hatch chiles and guac on that spicy bun. If you want more heat, go for the Red Chile Chimayo, where an ancho-chorizo blend patty brings serious fire. Sides get just as much love: hand-cut fries fried in peanut oil, street corn with cotija, blistered shishitos and house-made green chile butter that’s perfect for dipping.
The space is unpretentious, with chile-green walls tucked into a strip mall that offers plenty of parking. You simply order at the counter, grab a seat, and dig into honest, New Mexican–style flavors without any fuss.
In-N-Out Burger
Out West, In-N-Out Burger always ranks as the go-to spot for a tried-and-true menu. It leans into a classic feel with white tiles, bright red accents and a selection that’s barely changed since 1948. Their burgers are famous for 100% fresh beef, never frozen, and a quick char on the grill that keeps them juicy and hot.
People go crazy for the Double-Double packed with two patties and two slices of cheese, but it never feels too much. There’s also a secret menu, and ordering “Animal Style” adds extra spread, grilled onions and pickles for a messy, irresistible bite. Fries are cut by hand from whole potatoes in the kitchen, which sometimes makes them taste more like actual potatoes than a typical fast-food fry.
Milkshakes stick to the basics, serving vanilla, chocolate and strawberry made the old-fashioned way. Family-owned and rooted on the West Coast, In-N-Out earned a cult following before expanding to Phoenix in 2011. Most locations stay open late, so you’ll often spot people hanging around after a game or filling car hoods with burgers.
