The Chuckbox in Tempe: Mesquite-Grilled Burgers Since 1972

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The Chuckbox is a small shack in downtown Tempe, Arizona, serving mesquite-grilled burgers cooked over an open flame. The beloved restaurant, one of the oldest in the area, has stood at the corner of University and Forest for decades. While the city has changed and businesses have come and gone, The Chuckbox remains.

Founded in 1972, The Chuckbox has stayed true to its goal of serving great hamburgers and chicken sandwiches at affordable prices. Many of their staff have worked here for decades, and many customers have been coming for just as long.

While it’s common today, The Chuckbox was one of the first restaurants to cook food in front of customers and offer a condiment bar.

I’ve been coming to Tempe every year for almost 20 years for Spring Training, but it wasn’t until now that I finally stopped by The Chuckbox.

Table of Contents

Arrival and Ordering

I arrived on a Monday night, so the restaurant wasn’t too busy. After walking in, I noticed people lining up to the right to order, so I joined the line.

Hanging above the counter at the front of the line was the menu. When I reached the front, I asked the staff member for recommendations since it was my first time.

After ordering, I waited in front of the grill for my food. I enjoyed watching the chef tend to the smoky grill. He flipped patties and buns as flames shot into the air. I knew I was going to smell of smoke.

After a few minutes, the chef handed me my burger on a cafeteria-style tray. I then moved down the line to pick up the potatoes I ordered. While I didn’t order a soft drink, this is where you could fill your own.

As I continued down the line, the final stop was at the cashier. It was here where I paid for my meal.

As they have for over 50 years, they remain a cash-only establishment to keep prices down. They have an ATM in the dining room if you forget to bring cash.

Interior of The Chuckbox

Cozy and rustic interior of the restaurant, The Chuckbox, Tempe, Arizona — Cozy and rustic interior of the restaurant

The interior of The Chuckbox was open, cozy, and rustic, with dim lighting. I don’t think the décor has changed much since it first opened, but that charm is what makes the restaurant special.

The décor was simple, with small, narrow tables, box seats, red brick walls, tile flooring, and wooden accents. Photos hung on the walls, and ceiling fans spun, helping to clear the smoky air from the grill.

The ambiance was quiet, with a few voices, meat sizzling on the grill, and fried food cooking in the fryer. A muted TV hung on the wall.

While the décor was simple and outdated, it just worked.

The Chuckbox Menu

The menu at The Chuckbox, which they call Bill of Fare, featured mesquite-grilled burgers, chicken sandwiches, and classic sides.

The straightforward menu featured various burgers, including a 1/2-pound, 1/3-pound, double, bacon cheeseburger, guacamole burger, and one with green chili and jack cheese.

If your burger doesn’t come with cheese and you want to add it, you can for a small extra charge. Cheese options included American, Swiss, Cheddar, and Jalapeño Jack.

Besides burgers, they offered a few chicken options, a hot dog, a vegetarian garden burger, and chicken strips.

For sides, they offered their fries, called Chuckbox Potatoes, along with onion rings, deep-fried mushrooms and zucchini, and jalapeño poppers.

There were soft drinks, root beer, bottled water, and beer for drinks.

Condiment Bar

One of the most unique things about The Chuckbox was its condiment bar. When you order your burger, you get it as is. Then, you can visit the condiment bar and top your burger to your liking.

Assortment of condiments to top your burger

You will find all the usual items at the condiment bar, including lettuce, onions, pickles, mustard, ketchup, mayo, garlic mayo, ranch, and more.

As the sign above the bar says, ‘Play Fair,’ so only take what you need.

Guacamole Bacon Burger

Though there were many great options on the menu, after much deliberation and recommendations from the staff, I ordered the Guacamole Bacon Burger.

The burger was their 1/3-pound Big One topped with bacon and guacamole. I decided to add jalapeño jack cheese.

Even without extra toppings, the burger and patty were larger than expected. It reminded me of something I’d make at home in my backyard and brought back nostalgic memories.

The patty had a strong smoky flavor from the mesquite wood and a charred texture from the open flame. While simple, it was moist and well-seasoned with salt and pepper.

On top of the patty was thin, salty, smoky, rich, chewy bacon and salty, peppery melted cheese. A slather of creamy, cool guacamole added a smooth contrast. Simple but delicious, the guacamole and bacon were a perfect match.

The final component, the sesame seed bun, was lightly toasted and held up until the last bite, even as it soaked up the beef’s juices.

I added lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, ketchup, and mustard from the condiment bar for extra flavor and texture. The best part about the condiment bar is that you can customize your burger however you want.

Chuckbox Potatoes

For a side, I ordered the Chuckbox Potatoes, which were simply French fries. I enjoyed watching the chef prepare the fries in front of me before paying.

These fries came out hot but plain. They weren’t soggy or too crispy, but they had some crunch on the outside and were tender inside.

I’m sure they came from a frozen bag, but they hit the spot, especially after a few beers.

Service at The Chuckbox

When I arrived, a friendly worker greeted me and offered recommendations. I appreciated her honesty in helping me decide what to order, as this was my first visit.

After, I picked up my food, paid at the cashier, and found a seat. Once I finished eating, I returned my tray, and that was it.

While I had limited interaction with the staff, everyone I talked with was friendly and helpful. Overall, I had no issues with the service during my visit.

Conclusion

The Chuckbox is a Tempe institution that has served generations of locals and visitors for over 50 years. While it took me longer than I had hoped to visit, I finally made it.

While their burgers are simple, you can’t go wrong with any of the mesquite-grilled burgers cooked over an open flame.

The Guacamole Bacon Burger was delicious, with its moist patty, salty bacon, and creamy avocado. Made fresh to order, it was even better. And the condiment bar was great.

It took me 20 years to finally try The Chuckbox, but I know I’ll be back for their smoky, delicious burgers on my next visit to Tempe.