15: Delux Burger at Delux

By Michele Laudig Thu., Sep. 23 2010 at 3:06 PM

Categories: 100 Favorite Dishes

Hungry yet?

We're working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella's 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley -- in no particular order

Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section.

Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series on 100 Creatives who make Phoenix a little more interesting for all of us. We'll be posting the next 14 picks daily through the rest of the summer.

Number 15: Delux burger at Delux

If I get hungry for a hamburger, I can take my pick of places to go. But if I end up craving a Delux burger, that's way, way too specific. When the jones hits me, I have to have the real deal.

Nothing wrong with that, of course, except when I'm not in Phoenix! There have been times when I was on a trans-Pacific flight, hungry for this very burger, and utterly powerless to do anything about it. I truly have just dropped off my luggage at home and headed straight to Delux on a number of occasions, drowning my jetlag in meaty burger juices, all washed down with a Hoegaarden or a glass of cab.

Tucked into a soft baguette, the meat is a special blend of all-natural beef that the restaurant gets from Niman Ranch. Gooey gruyere and Maytag blue give it nutty, cheesy oomph, while caramelized onions lend some sweetness. There's also smoky, salty applewood-smoked bacon, and a pinch of fresh arugula to perk up every bite.

Talk about a habit-forming burger.

The Favorite Dishes, so far:
16: Tagliatelle at The Parlor
17: Banana Cream Pie at Cork
18: Morning Glory Benedict at Morning Glory Cafe
19: AZ Sweet Shrimp Po'Boy Sliders at District American Kitchen
20: Oaxaca Special at Carolina's
21: Chicken Tikka Masala at Guru Palace
22: Hirame Carpaccio at Nobuo at Teeter House
23: Hot Pressed Tuna at La Grande Orange
24: Chilaquiles at La Tolteca
25: Pho Tai Nam at Da Vang
26: Olive-Oil Poached Arctic Char at Kai
27: Pulled Pork at Joe's Real BBQ
28: Falafel Sandwich at Haji-Baba
29: Payt-N-Bake Chicken at Caffe Boa
30: Thai BBQ Chicken at Thai E-San
31: Sweet and Spicy Burger at The Grind
32: Kimchi Chigae at Ewha Korean Restaurant
33: Red Chile Beef at Verde
34: Garlic Shrimp at Hope Kee
35: Antipasto Platter at Pizzeria Bianco
36: Beef Fried Noodles at China Magic Noodle House
37: Grilled Calamari at Andreoli Italian Grocer
38: Spicy Miso Ramen at Sushi Ken
39: Fish 'n Chips at Rula Bula
40: Corn Pancakes with Crab at The Mission
41: Santa Lucia Pasta at Marcellino Ristorante
42: Smoked Truffle-Infused Filet Mignon at Christopher's
43: Pollo Colonial at Iruna
44: Mozzarella Carozza at Aiello's Fine Italian Dining
45: Mofongo at El Coquito
46: Sticky Toffee Pudding at St. Francis
47: Steak Frites at Metro Brasserie
48: Black Cod with Acini de Pepe at Cafe Bink
49: Steak & Egg Sliders at Lon's
50: Taco Monterrey at Pepe's Taco Villa
51: Toro Tartare at Sushi Roku
52: Fish Tacos at Barrio Cafe
53: Reuben at Matt's Big Breakfast
54: Short Ribs at J&G Steakhouse
55: Mole Poblano at Los Sombreros
56: Chicken Fried Steak at Texaz Grill
57: Carne Asada on a Potato Pancake at The Vig
58: White Flannel Hash at Orange Table
59: Butterfish Tataki at Roka Akor
60: Eggs Maximilian at Harlow's Cafe
61: Chickpea Ceviche at Bombay Spice
62: Spiced Skirt Steak at Tuck Shop
63: Rib Eye Philly at SanTan Brewing Company
64: Albacore With Black Truffle at Crudo
65: Slice at Jimmy & Joe's Pizzeria
66: Lee's Combination at Lee's Sandwiches
67: Duck Curry at Sala Thai
68: Chicken Kabab at Med Fresh Grill
69: Cheese Course at Sweet Republic
70: La Potence at Le Chalet
71: Brisket at Bryan's Black Mountain Barbecue
72: Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup at The Roosevelt
73: Coq Au Vin at Vincent's Market Bistro
74: Cochinita Pibil Tacos at La Condesa Gourmet Taco Shop
75: Char Siu Bao at Phoenix Palace
76: Huevos Rancheros at Gallo Blanco Cafe
77: Italian Stallion at La Piazza Al Forno
78: Bourekas at Spices Mediterranean Kitchen
79: Warm Maine Lobster Salad at Modern Steak
80: Escargots En Croute at Petite Maison
81: Salumi at Quiessence
82: Okonomiyaki at Hana Japanese Eatery
83: Croissants at Essence Bakery Cafe
84: Coronado Coney at The Main Ingredient
85: Green Chili at Rito's Mexican Takeout
86: Soup Gyoza at Sens Asian Tapas & Sake Bar
87: Pop Cho and Sweet Ginger at The Breadfruit
88: La Jawab Kadahi Gosht at The Dhaba
89: Chicken & Waffles from Lo-Lo's
90: Burrata at Humble Pie
91: Bruleed Foie Gras Torchon at Posh
92: Moroccan Nomad Stew at Chakra 4
93: Peking Duck at Gourmet House of Hong Kong
94: Mozzarella Sandwich at Pane Bianco
95: Egg White Omelette at Fez
96: Machaca From Los Dos Molinos
97: Shish Taook from Baiz Market
98: Pasties From Cornish Pasty Co.
99: Clams in Black Bean Sauce From Asian Cafe Express
100: Bruschetta From Postino