The Chuckbox: The Best Mesquite-Grilled Burger in Tempe

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. I can’t believe it took me this long.

This old-school burger joint in downtown Tempe serves mesquite-grilled burgers cooked over an open flame. Founded in 1972, the beloved restaurant 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 true to its goal of serving great food at affordable prices.

The Chuckbox: At a Glance

Feature	Details
Name	The Chuckbox
The Signature Dish	The Big One (1/3-pound, mesquite-grilled burger)
Price Range	$8 – $15
Payment Accepted	Cash only (There is an ATM inside, but bring cash to avoid fees)
Average Wait Time	10-20 mins (The line looks long but moves fast; avoid peak ASU lunch hours if you’re in a hurry)
Location & Parking	202 E University Dr, Tempe (Limited free parking in the back; near the Veterans Way Light Rail stop)
Vibe / Best For	Old-school college dive, rustic wood-cabin vibes, casual lunches, cheap eats
Location Link	https://maps.app.goo.gl/y2vTmeLopv7GP9iQ6

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 my clothes would smell of smoke, and I had no problem with this.

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.

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

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.

I almost felt like I was eating in the dining room at someone’s home. 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.

Customizing Your Burger at the Condiment Bar

One of the most unique things about my visit to The Chuckbox was the condiment bar. When I ordered my burger, I got it as is. I then took my tray to the condiment bar where I topped my burger to my liking. This was my favorite part of the visit.

I found all the usual burger toppings at the condiment bar, including lettuce, onions, pickles, mustard, ketchup, mayo, garlic mayo, ranch, and more.

As the sign above the bar said, ‘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

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.

Pros

• An institution of Tempe, around for over 50 years
• Smoky mesquite-grilled burgers cooked over an open flame
• Affordable prices
• Condiment bar

Cons

• Cash only
• Smoky interior if you are sensitive to smoke
• Dated interior

Last Updated on March 10, 2026