Best of Tucson 1996: Best Burger

Best Burger

Fuddruckers
6118 E. Speedway

READERS' PICK: The carnivorous among us argue the only real difference between humans and other animals is that we sear meat before eating it, while the lesser beasts eat it raw. And if you're going to sear it, you might as well sear it to perfection, just like they do at Fuddruckers. This place has been a local favorite for years and the reason is simple: They keep it simple. Good food, cooked just right with your choice of toppings, served up in clean, friendly surroundings. Simple formula, great burgers.

READERS' POLL RUNNER-UP: Big A Restaurant, 2033 E. Speedway.

STAFF PICK: We don't eat red meat all that much anymore--the personal trainer said it had to go (along with the remaining 90 percent of our diet)--so when we do indulge in a cow patty, we make sure it's something special. And there's none more distinctive than Bob Dobbs' Bob Burger. Named for spiritual guru Bob Dobbs, this dual-patty delight, flavored with a top-secret formula heavy on the garlic and Worchestershire, stays with you like any spiritual awakening worth its salt ought. For folks who aren't quite so flavor-friendly, Dobbs also serves up the Connie, a smaller, run-of-the-mill cheeseburger named for Constance Marsh Dobbs, Bob's primary wife.

A PERFECT 10: You've got your '50s-kitsch theme restaurants, then you've got your places that haven't changed, except maybe in one or two small details, since the 1950s. Austin's Old Fashioned Ice Cream and Eatery, 2920 E. Broadway, is just such an authentic blast from the past; and the burgers served here make no concessions to new-fangled ideas about low fat or calorie counting. ("All foods prepared with 100% pure creamery butter," the menu proudly proclaims.) It's an honest, pure, altogether appealing burger: a lean ground beef patty (or two), just big enough to get both hands around, fried and served up on a white bun bedecked with pickle, tomato slices and a handful of ruffled potato chips--perfect comfort food to get in touch with your inner carnivore.