Original Hamburger Works – Phoenix, Arizona
“When in Phoenix, do as Phoenicians do.” If that means staying in air conditioned confines during the summer, we’re doing it. If that means sticking with local culinary fare, not so much. Blame that on “Only in Arizona,” a travel and lifestyle publication from the good folks who bring us “Only In Your State.” A recent edition of Only in Arizona celebrated a “Phoenix Burger Joint” that “Has Cooked Over Real Mesquite for 40 Years.” As if mesquite grilled burgers aren’t enticing enough, the article boldly declared “The green chile cheeseburger, with jalapeño cheese and a grilled green chile on top, is the one that converts first-timers into regulars. Hmm, a green chile cheeseburger in Arizona that might actually be pretty good; it just hasn’t been my experience. Admittedly, I’ve only had fewer than a handful of green chile cheeseburgers in the Grand Canyon State. Any memorability they have can be attributed to how mediocre (or worse) they’ve been. Arizona would never be able to entice savvy staycators and Hatch familiar visitors to the “Arizona Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail.” That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t try. They might first want to spend some time on New Mexico’s trail to see how…