Few things in life hit the spot quite like a really good burger, and Mesa is packed with places that know how to do them right. Whether you’re after a classic griddled cheeseburger, something with a smoky Southwestern twist, or a burger piled high with unexpected toppings, there’s something for every craving.
Let’s get to it.
Red White and Brew
Stepping into Red White & Brew in Mesa feels like finding that neighborhood spot you’ve been hearing about for years. The burger menu is straightforward but solid: the Classic All American, the AZ Burger with spicy bacon-jalapeño jam and pepper jack, and a lean California Turkey Burger. These are half-pound, flame-grilled patties on toasted brioche buns—the kind you need two hands for.
To keep things interesting, there are daily specials and sandwiches like a Swiss and Mushroom Burger when it’s on the board. Every burger comes with a side, so no surprise charges for fries. Drinks get equal attention with a full bar, rotating beers, and creative cocktails beyond soda and tea.
There’s a dog-friendly patio, weekly food donations to a children’s home, and Kids Eat Free on Tuesdays. Free parking and easy walk-in carryout seal the deal on a friendly, all-in-one dining experience.
The Original Blue Adobe Grille
Right in downtown Mesa, The Original Blue Adobe Grille has been serving New Mexican flavors since 2000. Their half-pound burgers are grilled over pecan wood for a smoky touch. The Blue Adobe Burger steals the show with bacon, cheddar, house BBQ sauce, and optional Hatch green chile. They’ll even go bunless if you’re skipping carbs.
Beyond burgers, you’ll find classic fries or more adventurous sides like mashed bean queso chips and apple slaw. They also offer wraps, pizza, and enchiladas, plus a daily special that changes up the menu. The dining room is colorful and relaxed, so families feel right at home.
The bar pours frozen margaritas that take you somewhere fun and stocks rotating local beers. Free parking and close proximity to the arts center make it an easy stop when you’re out and about in Mesa.
Giant Hamburgers
If you haven’t been to Giant Hamburgers, you’re missing out on one of Mesa’s most laid-back burger joints. Since the early 2000s, this retro ’90s diner has been serving up massive, handcrafted patties that never see a freezer. You’ll spot shiny booths and an open griddle where the cooks flip burgers in matching shirts and ties—yeah, ties at a burger spot—but it somehow works.
The menu keeps things simple but satisfying. There’s the classic Giant Hamburger, a chili-topped version for a little heat, and the Green Chili Burger if you want a real Southwestern kick. Vegetarians can dig into the Garden Burger, which holds its own alongside those beefy options.
Sides are equally old-school comfort: hand-cut fries drenched in chili cheese and thick milkshakes that feel like a treat. You can even grab breakfast at dinnertime without anyone batting an eye. Parking’s a breeze, there’s plenty of room for friends or family, and the friendly counter service makes it feel like your favorite local spot.
Hope’s Frybread
When regular buns just don’t cut it, head to Hope’s Frybread for Navajo-style frybread that’s made fresh every day with dough from the owner’s grandmother. Here, frybread replaces the bun on burgers, and their Navajo Burger Double stacks two quarter-pound patties with lettuce, cheese, tomato, onions, plus their signature sauce lineup. It’s not something you see at every Mesa burger place.
The menu stays focused on burgers and tacos, though you’ll find a lamb sandwich and sweet frybread dessert if you want to mix things up. Families appreciate the kids’ menu, and those simple sides—bagged chips, house salsa, beans, or pasta salad—round out the meal.
There are no milkshakes or boozy cocktails, just sodas to sip while you dig in. Seating is casual counter style, with outdoor tables if the sun’s not too intense. With lunch and dinner service seven days a week, easy parking, and over a decade of serving frybread fans, this spot really delivers personality in every bite.
The Pub N Grub
Step into The Pub N Grub and you’ll get dive bar vibes at their finest. Locally owned since 1984, it features a blonde-wood bar with a few pool tables humming in the background and a string of Christmas lights outside that glow well into the night—that’s handy since they stay open until 2 AM.
Their burger lineup hits all the right notes. You can go classic with a cheeseburger or bacon cheeseburger, but the Mad Cow steals the show. Every patty is hand-pressed from 100% beef, then tucked into soft buns from a nearby bakery. Fries are hand-cut, onion rings come beer-battered, and for a curveball they even offer gator tots.
On tap, you’ll find 14 beers at neighborhood-friendly prices, plus the usual bar pours behind the counter. They’ve even thrown a few salads and lighter options into the mix for anyone dodging a food coma. No outdoor patio here, but with central air and a steady bar crowd, you probably won’t notice once you’re settled in.
In-N-Out Burger
Nothing beats In-N-Out Burger when you want a solid burger fix. Their menu sticks to the essentials: hamburger, cheeseburger, and that famous Double-Double… you know the drill. They use fresh beef, never frozen, and the buns arrive from their own bakeries every morning. Even the fries are carefully handled—hand-cut potatoes cooked twice so they land right in that sweet spot between crispy and soft.
Feel free to explore the secret menu. Order Animal Style, Protein Style, or stack up a 3×3 or 4×4 if you’re feeling adventurous. The shakes are made to order and taste like real ice cream, not some powdered mix. The building’s all retro red and white, with people on the patio or cars lined up at the drive-thru. Staying open until 1 AM means late-night cravings are covered.
This family-owned spot keeps it simple with burgers, fries, and shakes done really, really well.
Charleston’s Restaurant
On the hunt for a classic burger and scratch-made American fare? Charleston’s Restaurant in Mesa has that covered with just two beef options: a straight-up Cheeseburger and a show-stopper Hickory Burger topped with Canadian bacon, shredded cheddar, onions, and hickory sauce. Both come with your choice of fries or coleslaw. Sometimes simple is best.
The atmosphere is laid-back, anchored by a huge stone bar in the center. No reservation fuss here. You’ll find craft cocktails and a rotating wine list if you want something a bit fancy—Perfect Margarita is a crowd favorite. Kids get their own menu, and the soup of the day can be anything from chicken noodle to baked potato depending on the day.
With friendly service, classic sides, and an easy-going vibe, Charleston’s nails the neighborhood restaurant feel.
Haven Burgers
Tucked away in Mesa, Haven Burgers has that old-school counter charm—cozy, retro, and free of pretension. All-beef patties are grilled or fried just how you like them, but real attention goes to their signature creations. The Haven Burger piles on fresh pastrami sourced from California, while the California Burger brings bacon, avocado, and cheese into the mix.
The menu runs deep with single, double, and chili-topped burgers, plus fries smothered in cheese and chili. Their California fries add pastrami to chili fries, and zucchini fries earn rave reviews as a hidden gem. There’s a soda fountain, coffee, and plenty of kid-friendly options, though no shakes.
Weekends can get busy, but parking is easy. High chairs and outdoor tables keep things casual, and the slightly punk attitude feels genuine in this independent spot.
Blue 32 Sports Grill
Blue 32 Sports Grill is the place where every game feels like home. With four southeast valley locations, you’re never too far from fresh burgers and working TVs. This locally owned spot goes beyond hanging jerseys on the wall—they actually know how to run a sports grill.
Their burger game is solid. Half-pound patties are ground fresh from Angus beef, then dressed up in classic or gourmet styles. Try the Lineman’s Reward for a double-stacked feast, or the Black & Bleu 32 with blackened spices and bleu cheese crumbles. Not craving red meat? They’ll swap in grilled or blackened chicken without blinking. Buns are always toasted, and marbled rye steps in for the Patty Melt.
If you need a break from burgers, the menu offers flatbreads, sandwiches, steaks, salads, even seafood. Local craft beers, rotating happy hour deals, and dozens of TVs mean you won’t miss a single play. Best of all, parking is easy and the staff is on point, so you can focus on your food and the game without any hassle.
