Tempe has quietly built a burger scene that can compete with just about any city’s biggest names. Whether you’re chasing smoky classics, wildly creative stacks, or plant-based comfort food, this town delivers the goods.
Let’s get to it.
The Chuckbox
If you’re on the lookout for a classic burger joint, The Chuckbox in Tempe fits the bill. Family-owned since 1972, this wooden shack sits right across from ASU and gives off a rustic Wild West saloon vibe. Step inside and you’ll notice the mesquite smoke hanging in the air, and the first-come, first-serve seating means you might end up chatting with strangers. Burgers are fresh-ground, hand-pressed, and hit an open flame. No frozen patties, just beef, fire, and that secret “Magic Dust” seasoning.
Sizes range from the “Little One” to the “Double Big One,” but nobody walks away hungry. If spice is your thing, try the Tijuana Torpedo…it’s loaded with jalapeño jack cheese and green chiles inside a torpedo roll. Hit up the self-serve toppings bar to stack it your way. Service is quick and friendly, and you really can’t beat the wallet-friendly prices here. Even when it’s busy, orders move fast. Bring cash, grab a pitcher or two, and if the heat’s bearable, sit at an outdoor table. It’s simple, dependable, and somehow still Tempe’s best-kept burger secret.
The Hudson Eatery & Bar
Right near ASU, The Hudson Eatery & Bar has a neighborhood spot feel that hits all the right notes. The building is worn-in but clean, with a roomy indoor dining area and a patio out back complete with cooling misters, someone was definitely thinking ahead for those scorching Tempe summers. There’s no drive-thru here, just walk in, grab a seat, and you’ll get restaurant-style service.
The burger menu is a playground of choices. You can’t go wrong with favorites like the Bacon Bang Bang or the Mushroom Swiss, both served on a butter-toasted brioche bun. Veggie fans get a house-made patty that stands up to anything on the menu. Toppings get creative too, with jalapeño slices, bacon jam, sriracha mayo, or their own boom boom sauce.
Fries are hand-cut and come with nearly every sauce under the sun, plus potato wedges and big, crunchy onion rings if you need options. The bar stocks plenty of beers and cocktails, with rotating specials that keep regulars coming back. It’s chill, it’s tasty, and it quietly has a loyal following.
Four Peaks Brewing Company
Tucked into an old creamery building in Tempe, Four Peaks Brewing Company has been serving up burgers and beer since 1996. The spot keeps that classic Arizona brewpub vibe alive. The burger lineup includes all-natural half-pound chuck patties plus a handful of specialty creations.
If you want something different, the Brezelburger on a pretzel bun is a must. Sides arrive with plenty of flair too. Beer-battered fries pair perfectly with their brews, and if you need a veggie punch, the pesto pasta salad is surprisingly fresh. Not into beef? No problem. Just swap in a Beyond Burger patty without missing a beat.
The taps showcase house-made ales and lagers, and there’s even a full bar for cocktails. Dessert fans love the Oatmeal Stout Shake, it’s a wild but tasty mashup of beer and ice cream. The patio welcomes dogs, your grandma, and anyone else in the family. Free street or lot parking makes it easy to swing by anytime. Four Peaks is that reliable neighborhood spot where good food and beer come first.
Johnny’s Burgers & Dogs
If you want no-frills with maximum flavor, Johnny’s Burgers & Dogs has you covered. Since 2009 they’ve been crafting juicy 1/3-pound burgers made from lean USDA choice beef, hand-shaped and served on toasted sesame seed buns. The chili burger is a standout, layered with their house-made chili, melted cheese, fresh onions and a special sauce that keeps folks coming back. Even the pickles are hand-cut on site.
Beyond their five classic burgers, the menu stays tight with Chicago-style Vienna dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, and all-natural chicken or veggie options. Sides stick to the essentials—fries, cheese fries, and chili cheese fries—plus that cult-favorite fry sauce. Shakes arrive in chocolate, vanilla or strawberry, and you can wash it all down with fountain soda or iced tea.
The interior is bright and casual, with a walk-up counter and plenty of seating for a quick lunch or easy dinner. Prices stay low thanks to its family-owned roots, the service is fast, and after 16 years here, Johnny’s has become a Tempe staple for simple, satisfying burgers and dogs.
Fate Brewing Company – Tempe
Fate Brewing Company – Tempe nails the craft brewpub scene with a laid-back, welcoming vibe. The menu leans into burgers and pub classics but isn’t afraid to get creative. Try the Lunchbox Burger topped with peanut butter and fig jam or the Brat Burger featuring a brat patty, crispy onions and gooey beer cheese. Vegans can swap any burger for an Impossible patty without missing out.
Chips come standard with your burger, but you can upgrade to sweet potato fries for a small extra charge. The beer lineup rotates regularly, so trivia night always feels fresh. Adam Schmeichel, their head brewer, keeps things interesting with a solid mix of year-round and seasonal beers.
It’s full-service, so walk in, grab a seat at the bar or claim a booth. TVs and a spacious open patio mean you can catch a game or just breeze through a meal with friends. Founded in Scottsdale in 2015, the Tempe location still feels local—with patio seating that could steal any weekend afternoon.
Green New American Vegetarian
These days, finding a vegan spot that feels fun can be a challenge, but Green New American Vegetarian nails it. This Phoenix and Tempe local serves up plant-based takes on every burger you know, without getting preachy. The soy-based patties, tempeh bacon and seitan options all taste hearty… and the buns are always squishy, seeded, and freshly toasted. If you want Ezekiel bread, just ask, and they’ll whip it up for you.
The Big WAC is a vegan spin on a famous fast-food classic, complete with zippy special sauce. Or go wild with the Calexico burger, piled high with chipotle and hummus. The toppings read like a world tour: chimichurri, tahini, and more if you’re feeling creative.
Sides here outshine basic fries every time. Dig into the thyme fries or fried Brussels sprouts, and don’t skip the vegan chili or lo mein noodles. House-made sodas and cocktails with ’80s band names keep things interesting, and yes, there’s even retro Vimto if you’re in the mood. With loud art murals, a dog-friendly patio, and plenty of parking, this place has the friendly, Arizona-casual vibe you didn’t know you needed.
In-N-Out Burger
Sometimes the simplest menus are the toughest to beat, and In-N-Out Burger proves that every time. They stick to burgers, fries, and shakes but nail each one. The patties are always 100% beef on soft, freshly baked buns, and you can jazz things up with secret menu tweaks. Go Animal Style for grilled onions and extra sauce, or try Protein Style wrapped in lettuce if you’re skipping buns.
Shakes come in vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry but use real ice cream…no mystery mix here. Fries arrive hand-cut and made to order. Some people argue about them, but they still taste fresh and crispy if you get them hot.
The counter service feels classic, with clean red-and-white décor that hasn’t changed in decades. There’s walk-up, drive-thru, and free parking, so ordering is always easy. No wild specials or weekly mashups. It’s just the same straightforward menu they’ve perfected since 1948. It’s fast food, done confidently and consistently.
5th Street Burger & Fries
You could say 5th Street Burger & Fries should teach a master class in Tempe burger craft. The menu reads like an encyclopedia for anyone who loves a smashed patty stacked sky-high. If you want to push the envelope, try the PB & PJ Burger… peanut butter meets pepper jelly. Or, if you’re feeling daring, go for the Flaming Devil, topped with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos on a toasted brioche bun. They’ve got more than 20 wild and classic options, though most folks end up building their own at the counter. Service is quick, and the vibe stays lively all day.
They’ve nailed that “fancy but approachable” feel. Brioche buns get toasted just right, thick-cut bacon adds crunch, and house-made aiolis tie everything together. The waffle fries are addicting… don’t skip on those sweet potato fries for sharing. Veggie lovers get a solid plant-based patty, and the chicken sliders pack real flavor. It’s counter service with a student-friendly energy that still works for grown-ups, plus free parking (a real bonus in Tempe). And yes, the milkshakes are totally worth it—even if you’re just dunking fries.
Portillo’s Tempe
From Chicago to Arizona, Portillo’s Tempe brings that Windy City sandwich shop vibe to the desert. The retro décor—think 1950s and ’60s Americana—is charming while you wait for your order. It’s fast-casual, so you get the laid-back energy you want when you’re rolling in with family or a group of friends.
Their char-broiled burgers sit on buttery toasted brioche buns with all the classic Chicago-style toppings. The Rodeo Burger goes all out, loaded with thick-cut bacon, crispy onion rings and tangy house BBQ sauce. If you’ve still got room, the chocolate cake shake is the talk of the place for dessert. Beer isn’t on the menu, but shakes and fountain sodas keep the mood light.
Students strolling over from ASU, families hunting fries, or couples grabbing a quick meal… Portillo’s accommodates it all. You can drive-thru, order at a kiosk or step inside and grab a patio table. Free parking in Tempe always feels like a win.
Culinary Dropout
Culinary Dropout turns a renovated warehouse into an industrial-chic hangout complete with lawn games on the covered patio. Cornhole, ping pong and foosball show up alongside brick walls and mood lighting inside. You’ll find live music most nights, which adds to the fun vibe.
The menu covers all bases so picky eaters and adventurous foodies can eat in peace. Under “Sandwiches,” the M.A.C. Burger doubles down on beef, lettuce, pickles and a tangy 1000 Island–style sauce. The Pub Burger offers havarti cheese, thick-cut bacon and house-made BBQ sauce, with an optional fried egg if you want extra richness. Each burger sits on a locally sourced bakery bun and comes with your choice of fries or a house salad.
Drinks steal the show here, especially the crafted cocktails and extensive beer list featuring local and regional brews. Family-friendly by day and a lively scene by night, Culinary Dropout fits weekend brunch or Friday-night hangouts. You won’t feel rushed, and boredom simply won’t be on the menu.
Thirsty Lion
If you’re looking for a spot in Tempe that turns a burger run into a full-on feast, Thirsty Lion is the place. It feels like a sports bar with a twist… plenty of TVs but also a gastropub menu full of scratch-made New American dishes. At the center of it all are the burgers. You’ll find five main options, including a plant-based Beyond Burger, and the Gastropub Burger is a showstopper. Think a Gorgonzola-infused beef patty, grilled sweet onions, maple pepper bacon, horseradish cream, all tucked into ciabatta bread.
Don’t miss the hand-cut fries served with Sriracha fry sauce, plus deep-fried pickles and beer-battered cheese curds. Sliders are available if you want to sample more than one flavor. The drink list reads like a craft beer festival crossed with an upscale cocktail lounge, and there’s even a kid’s menu for the little ones. On sunny days, the outdoor patio draws crowds for happy hour and brunch. There’s trivia, seasonal specials, and catering too, but really, the burger steals the show.
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews
For anyone who can’t decide on a burger, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews has you covered. The menu stretches from classic builds to inventive creations. The Royal Red Robin rocks a fried egg and bacon, no big deal, while the Banzai slips in teriyaki sauce and grilled pineapple for that sweet-and-salty kick. You’ll also spot beef patties, turkey, grilled chicken, and a Beyond Burger if you’re sticking to plants.
Every burger comes on a soft brioche bun, which feels like a small luxury. The bottomless Steak Fries are legit, but you can swap in sweet potato fries, onion rings, or a side salad if that’s more your speed. House sauces and toppings—think guacamole, crispy onion straws, truffle aioli, Whiskey River BBQ sauce—let you customize every bite.
The vibe is pure family-friendly Americana, with bright booths and plenty of TVs. Don’t skip the milkshakes or the local craft beer list. There are over 30 taps. It’s perfect for casual nights out with friends or family gatherings. If you’re in Tempe, outdoor patio seating is ready for people-watching. It’s a chain, but it doesn’t take itself too seriously.
