By Rich and Ann Bates
In response to your editor’s pleas for articles, we are now writing another column for The Town Crier. If anyone else would like to contribute, the more the merrier, we say.
At any rate, with our arms bent backwards, we agreed to write a column, and this one should be titled “Tucson‘s Burgers.” Unfortunately, we were beat to the draw by the Arizona Daily Star’s “Caliente” Section of August 18th. However, we have certainly enjoyed the research process.
Rumor has it that Tucson is one of the few cities of this size who have the Big Three of Burgers at this time (Five Guys, In-N-Out, and Culver’s), so we began with these.
Culver’s, the newest, is located near Pantano and Broadway. The place was crowded, noisy, but efficient. The Butter Burgers are served with a fine buttered soft bun, skimpy meat patty, and you can load them up as you wish. Burgers start at $2.50 for a single; crinkle fries were much like the ones you can buy in the freezer department at your market and not outstanding. It is the bun here that makes the burger unique. However, the huge draw for us is the frozen custard in either vanilla or chocolate, or a flavor of the day that is outstanding: creamy, rich flavor and truly remarkable… like the kind grandfather used to make in the summertime. It should be noted that all products are Wisconsin-raised beef and dairy; there is an allergen menu and the place is kid-friendly.
In-N-Out (5 locations, closest being 7111 E. Broadway) has a basic menu: burgers, fries and shakes. Cheeseburgers are $2.35 which includes lettuce, tomatoes, onions, sauces; freshly hand-cut fries are $1.99. All the food is fresh, nothing frozen. The burgers are excellent, the old fashioned type, reminiscent of childhoods. Clean, kid-friendly, often crowded…
Five Guys (3 locations, the closest to Civano being 5566 E. Broadway) serves nothing but specialty burgers that you design as you order, with free toppings (including grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, jalapenos, green peppers) along with the usual fixings. Prices range from $3.79 for the little cheeseburger to $6.19 for the double-bacon cheeseburger. The fries ($2.99 for a regular) are enough to share, or $4.49 for a large, are freshly cut as you will see, since the order line winds amongst bags of potatoes and fresh peanuts—and herein lies the caution. This chain openly serves free peanuts, and the fries are cooked in peanut oil, so this is not for those with peanut allergies. But this is our favorite of the fast food burgers in town.
For what we consider the best burger in town, however, you need to head north to Fleming’s for happy hour where the bacon cheeseburger is $5, and which includes tasty, large and fresh onion rings. Fries are extra. These are ordered in the bar, but we have found that if the bar is full, which it often is, the order can be placed in the regular dining room.
Pleasant experiences have also been had at Monkey Burger, and Zinburger, both excellent, as well. We have yet to try Lindy’s, which we understand is “the best.” More research is clearly in order.
Great article, Ann and Rich! I’m more of a salad person, but this article actually made me hungry for burgers. So now I know where to go for a good burger. Thanks!
Love the article and absolutely agree with results! Thanks for doing this for the community!
I personally like In-N-Out…but not because they have the best burgers. It’s the menu simplicity & very friendly service. With simplicity comes very few chances for cross contamination for those on a gluten free diet (such as myself). You can order all their burger’s “protein style” (wrapped in lettuce). Their fries are cut fresh & since that’s the only thing they fry…..they are not sharing oil with wheat products like most restaurants.
And don’t forget about The Hub, which specializes in burgers and ice cream — on Congress near the Congress Hotel downtown!
A great review after my own heart and spot on – while the burgers at the big “3″ are very good. My vote would go to Zinburger.
At Christmas I took a number of family members from out of town there and my son-in-law is still talking about it. Great burger! As a meat eater I will even add the veggie is very good and I have ordered it myself – of course with some great wine!!!
Lindy’s on 4th is very good along with the Barrio and Nimbus. The latter two having great burgers and fantastic Ales. If you go to Nimbus (old location) have the B-52 hot spicy and oh soooo good.