Another cool reason to head north…

We escaped the heat this past weekend with an overdue trip up north.  The summer has gone from warm to cranky hot and a respite among the cool pines was definitely in order.  While in Flagstaff, Sean and I finally got to go to Diablo Burger.  A destination that was a long time coming for both of us, although neither of us will wait so long again.

Diablo Burger has been a customer of ours for quite sometime, and while we have wanted to go eat there before, this was the first time we actually made it.  I am now feeling sorry for my past self since I know now what I was missing.

Named for Canyon Diablo, near Flagstaff, Diablo Burger is all about keeping things local.  They are faithful about knowing where each ingredient comes from, and sourcing everything locally.  Every burger is made from open range-raised, antibiotic-free and hormone free beef from Diablo Trust Ranch (not affiliated, but both have the same values for high quality food and sustainability).  Black Mesa Chevre was on the menu, much to Sean’s delight.  And they had a selection of Arizona brews on tap and wines that come from small, family-owned vineyards from the West, including an Arizona Pinot that Sean also enjoyed.  They take being a good steward to the community so seriously that they do not take credit cards (no such thing as a local credit card company up there) and they separate their waste by recyclables and items to compost.

But all of that is not why there is a line out the door to place your order.  Diablo Burger also makes one of the juiciest, most flavorful burgers I have ever had.  It was melt-in-your-mouth good!  They make your burgers to order, allowing you to select from a host of ideas that includes the “Vitamin B” with bacon, beets and blue cheese, or the “Wrigley Field” with homemade sauerkraut, bacon, swiss and honey mustard.  Or there is the option to build-your-own with all sorts of toppings to customize it, from the standard burger fare to eggs overeasy, chimichurri or fresh basil.  But really, you don’t need to do much to make these burgers memorable.  We ordered the Marilyn, selecting only which cheese we wanted, and they were so moist and tender that we enjoyed every bite.  They were perfectly cooked (they recommend medium-well since the meat is 95% lean) and are covered with an English Muffin marked with their brand, served on top of a basket of the most amazing french fries.  I had to ask the waitress to take them away at one point, I was starting to lose all self-control with the basket of them in front of me. The key to those fries is double-frying in peanut oil and a little Herbes de Provence… a trick I may have to try at home sometime.

Don’t let the line put you off either, since it is misleading.  We actually got in rather quickly and the service was excellent.  It is a small space, so the tables inside are community seating, but there were also plenty of seats outside.

I don’t know what else to say about it, other than I wanted to go back the next day and have the same meal all over again.  I still do.  But I know that we will definitely make it back to Diablo Burger again, and soon.

Diablo Burger
120 N. Leroux Street
Flagstaff, AZ  86001
928.774.3274
www.diabloburger.com

Open: Mon-Weds 11am-9pm; Thurs-Sat 11am-10pm, closed Sundays