Food fight results
Shari's, for sure
By Gerald M. Gay
ggay@azstarnet.com
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 03.27.2008
A Tucson institution dominated our latest Food Fight over who has the best burgers in town.
Out of the 140-plus readers who chimed in, Shari's First Ave. Drive-in — a burger joint that has operated in Tucson for more than 50 years — was a name that popped up over and over again.
"Shari's is the real deal" said one commenter. Many raved about the stand's double cheeseburger.
"When you eat a cheeseburger somewhere else and think, 'This isn't as good as it could be,' it is because you are comparing it to Shari's," said Tucson resident John Gatty, 46.
Among the other high-scoring burger joints in Tucson: In-N-Out, Frog & Firkin, Red Robin, The Wildcat House, Fuddruckers and Bob Dobbs.
High class to cheap eats
High-end establishments like Elle Wine Country Restaurant, Zinburger and McMahon's Prime Steakhouse all received praise for their burgers.
Grace Davidson, 72, couldn't get enough of the burgers offered up at Acacia at St. Philip's Plaza, 4340 N. Campbell Ave.
"Chef Albert (Hall) offers an excellent quality of beef, a wide assortment of toppings and cooked precisely to order," Davidson said.
A little lower on the fancy-schmancy totem pole were restaurants such as Grumpy's Grill, Claim Jumper and the Nimbus Brewing Company.
Matthew Hydeman enjoyed eating his burgers at Benner's Grill, 8235 N. Silverbell Road.
"It's out of the way for most," said the 36-year-old. "But it is the tenderest, juiciest burger I've ever had."
Surprises
Readers threw several surprise nominations our way, restaurants you wouldn't normally associate with burgers, like the Hawaiian stop Lani's Luau, the French bistro Le Delice and the Tucson Mexican-food chain, El Charro.
John Armstrong, 36, was partial to Del Taco's burgers.
"(They are) fresh, a little bit greasy and hot as hell," Armstrong said.
He elaborated via e-mail: "Considering that Del Taco's main thing is Mexican food, I was pretty surprised that it would offer such a good burger."
Aaron Johnson, 37, found his dream burger in a rather unexpected location.
"Curves (Cabaret) makes an excellent burger," he said. "We like to refer to Curves as the best little burger joint in town."
Kevin Dail's response was even more surprising.
"The Pima County jail has the best burgers," he noted, "and they're free."
Other contenders
Other burgers mentioned in the Food Fight include:
The Half-pound top sirloin burger at Grill.
The "Fireworks" chipotle burger at Famous Sam's.
The Twin Kobe burgers at Montana Avenue.
The AZ Hooligan Burger at Lindy's.
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