Top 10 Burger Spots in Mesa

Mesa’s burger lineup covers plenty of ground, from longtime neighborhood counters to newer kitchens putting a distinctly Arizona spin on the classic. Whether you’re grabbing lunch on Main Street, looking for a post-pickleball meal or heading toward the Superstition Mountains, these are some of the best burger stops to know around Mesa.

Quick Guide to the Best Burgers in Mesa

For a classic burger, start with Main Burger or Lenny’s Burger. For something with a Southwest kick, order the VIG Burger, AZ Burger at Red White & Brew or Mexican Burger at Lenny’s. Espiritu delivers the unexpected with a dry-aged burger, while Steadfast Diner brings farm-to-table ingredients into the mix.

There’s even a cheeseburger hiding inside an empanada at República Empanada.

Hamburguesa principal

161 W. Main St., Mesa

Right in Downtown Mesa, Main Burger keeps the menu focused and gives the familiar smashburger an Arizona point of view.

The Sonora layers beef patties with a chiltepin and cheese costra, bacon, caramelized onions, lettuce and house sauce on brioche. The Chiwas goes another direction with queso asadero, roasted green chile and ham, while the Classic sticks with American cheese, pickles, onions and house sauce. Hand-cut fries cooked in beef tallow complete the order.

It’s an easy Main Street stop when the plan calls for a burger before exploring Downtown Mesa’s shops, public art and local music scene.

The VIG at Dana Park

1744 S. Val Vista Dr., Suite 5-101, Mesa

The VIG’s shaded Dana Park setting makes it a good place to settle in rather than rush through lunch.

Go straight for the VIG Burger, topped with Oaxaca cheese, guacamole, pickled jalapeño, chipotle aioli and fried onions on a pub bun. For something more traditional, the Genuine Cheeseburger comes with American cheese, pickles, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato and VIG sauce.

The patio-friendly setting also makes this one worth keeping in mind for a leisurely afternoon meal.

Guadalupe on Main

1526 E. Main St., Mesa

Guadalupe on Main brings the flavors of Jalisco to Main Street with a menu built around Mexican comfort food, cocktails and chef-driven specials.

Then there’s the Burger del Momento.

The rotating burger is one of the menu’s more unexpected finds and gives burger seekers another reason to look beyond dedicated burger joints. Because the preparation can change, check the current menu before visiting to see what the kitchen is serving.

Steadfast Diner

5149 S. Inspirian Pkwy., Mesa

At Steadfast Diner in East Mesa, the burger comes with a farm next door.

The Steadfast Double uses Capital Farms grass-fed beef with bacon, American cheese, griddled onions, house-made pickles and Steadfast sauce on a toasted Noble Bread brioche bun. The Classic Double pares things back with lettuce, tomato, diced onion, pickles, ketchup and mustard.

Steadfast Diner sits steps from Steadfast Farm, reinforcing the restaurant’s focus on farm-to-table comfort food and ingredients grown close to where you’re eating.

Espiritu Cocktails + Comida

123 W. Main St., Mesa

A burger isn’t necessarily the first thing you’d expect to order at Espiritu. That’s part of the appeal.

Known for inventive Mexican cooking and cocktails, this Downtown Mesa kitchen slips a dry-aged burger onto a menu better known for dishes such as ceviche and wood-fired meats. It’s a particularly good pick for travelers who want their burger stop to feel more like dinner out than a quick counter-service meal.

Consider this the surprise entry on the list.

Rojo Blanco y Cerveza

6740 E. McDowell Rd., Suite 102, Mesa

Red White & Brew has been feeding East Mesa diners for years, and the AZ Burger makes a strong case for skipping straight to the handhelds.

A half-pound burger gets topped with pepper jack cheese and house-made bacon-jalapeño jam, with lettuce, tomato, pickle and red onion on the side. That sweet, smoky heat gives the burger enough Arizona character to stand apart from a standard cheeseburger.

Dink & Dine Pickle Park

1017 N. Dobson Rd., Mesa

A few pickleball games have a way of making a smashburger sound like a very good idea.

At Dink & Dine Pickle Park near Mesa Riverview, the Dink & Dine Smashburger starts with Angus beef and adds cheddar, grilled onions, pickles and Dink sauce on a toasted brioche bun.

Courts, food and a social atmosphere all share the same space here, so this is one of the easier stops to turn into a full afternoon or evening rather than simply grabbing a meal.

Blue Adobe Santa Fe Grill

144 N. Country Club Dr., Mesa

The Original Blue Adobe Grill brings New Mexican flavors to a spot just outside Downtown Mesa, and its burger follows the same path.

The Blue Adobe Burger features a half-pound beef patty cooked over a pecan wood grill with cheddar and bacon. Add green chile to push it firmly into Southwest territory.

Mesa Arts Center, museums and Main Street are only a few minutes away, making this an easy lunch or dinner stop during a Downtown Mesa day.

República Empanada

204 E. First Ave., Mesa

República Empanada takes the burger completely out of the bun.

Its Cheeseburger Empanada packs seasoned ground beef and cheddar cheese into the restaurant’s signature handheld pastry. It’s simple, portable and very different from anything else on this list.

You’ll find República Empanada in Downtown Mesa’s Southside Heights neighborhood, a short walk from Main Street.

Worth the Drive: Superstition Saloon at Tortilla Flat

1 Main St., Tortilla Flat

A burger run can also lead straight into the Sonoran Desert.

Follow the historic Apache Trail northeast from Mesa to Tortilla Flat, where the Superstition Saloon serves burgers, chili and cold drinks in an Old West setting complete with saddle barstools. The restaurant itself proudly puts fresh burgers near the center of the menu.

Save this one for a day when lunch is only part of the plan. The drive carries you toward the Superstition Mountains and gives you an easy excuse to spend a little more time outside the city.

Preguntas frecuentes

Where can I find a good burger in Downtown Mesa?
Main Burger, Espiritu and República Empanada are all in or near Downtown Mesa. Main Burger specializes in burgers, Espiritu serves a dry-aged burger, and República Empanada offers a cheeseburger-inspired empanada.
Where can I get a smashburger in Mesa?
Main Burger serves several smash-style burgers on Main Street, while Dink & Dine Pickle Park offers an Angus smashburger near Mesa Riverview. Steadfast Diner in East Mesa also serves double-patty burgers made with grass-fed beef.
Which Mesa burgers have Southwest or Arizona flavors?
Try the Sonora at Main Burger, the VIG Burger with Oaxaca cheese and pickled jalapeño, Lenny’s Mexican Burger with green chiles, or the AZ Burger at Red White & Brew with pepper jack cheese and bacon-jalapeño jam.

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