Arizona Restaurant Review Featuring: Rocket Burger

6.01.2011

 Sometimes life throws you a curve and you're supposed to be spending your Saturday evening at an off-the-chain International Cultural Festival held at the Arizona State Fair Grounds, but instead you find yourself at a single Mexican food stand, a few henna tattoo booths, and an over-sized stage with 9 middle-aged white belly dancers doing an all-but-embarrassing rendition of a traditional middle eastern dance.

So, once you see more jangling coin-skirts than anyone should probably see in a lifetime,you make a run for the car, grab your iphone, and turn to your trusty app YELP in hopes of redeeming your Saturday night by finding something special (and cheap) to satisfy your hunger.

And when I say yours, I really mean Marcus and my own.
That was the story of how we found and fell in love with Rocket Burger & Subs' in Phoenix.

I'll admit, when I saw the unfortunate store front, I turned to Marcus and asked, "This is where you want to go...?"
But once we got past the stripmall exterior, we found ourself in a cozy little diner, with smiling staff members and colorgalore!
It truly is every rainbow-loving, retro-enthusiasts dream. 
Or at least one who's been especially keen on burgers for the past month or so...
The walls are tastefully lined with retro tin plaques and the coolers were meticulously organized by color and flavor of every imaginable glass bottle soda around.
And if I'm wrong about that, and somehow you know of a soda they don't carry, just tell them (they'll happily order it specially for you).
Reds.
Greens.
Oranges.
Their menu is modestly priced and for about $10, Marcus and I were noshing on one classic hamburger, 1 philly cheese burger, 1 large basket of DELICIOUS shoe-string fresh-cut fries, two specialty sodas, and a variety of dipping sauces (best ranch).

A uniquely seasoned patty with an extra black peppery kick, fresh tomato, and a bun so light and toasty it must have been homemade, had my mouth watering and my words speaking blasphemy as I boldly declared, "Marcus, I know this might hurt you, but these burgers are better than In-N-Out."
Let's just say, it's a good thing it's not conveniently right around the corner, or I'd be there a lot more often then I fear I already will be.
If you live in Arizona or ever plan to visit, you simply must go.
Tell them I sent you, and bring your appetite.

17 comments

Aubrey Chevrier said...

That place looks and sounds amazing! I want to go to Arizona just for that! :)

Natalie said...

Oh that looks delish! I love random finds like that. We almost went to a strawberry festival this weekend -- just the name sounded promising, but then I realized it was going to be super lame -- just 5 booths and all of them trying to sell me something. When did festivals get so sad?

Alexa Mae said...

Yummy!! You two are so darling. YOu have the sweetest relationship. Not to mention you are always doing fun fun things. 

Kim Herrington said...

It looks fab! Good thing my lunch break is in a minute!

Andrea Carpenter said...

oooooh, those bottles of yumminess look so refreshing.

~Andrea @ http://hecallsmewifey.blogspot.com/

christine rojas said...

this place looks so yummy!!

Megan m said...

You're an amazing food critic! My mouth is watering...

Leslie said...

I am loving your blog! It's so fun and the pictures are great!!

Alisha Hunsaker said...

That sounds marvelous! We'll have to try it out next time we're up there. It wasn't ghetto was it?

jenni austria germany said...

i thought this said "international church festival".  i was thinking, "what? creepy belly dancing and jingly-chain skirts? something doesn't quite add up..."  

i can read, i swear.

Stevie Leigh said...

Oh, oh, oh I love this post. Huge fan of anything glass/vintage-looking. 
Looks like fun! 

- S from Following the Walkers

Marie Photographie said...

Niiiice. You can write, girl! Loved this review and you better believe I want to eat there now!

Claire M. said...

Nice photos ;)

Celeste Alphabetsoup said...

i love vintage eating places like these!

one day i want to open up one...but that "one day" is a LONG time away.

wish i was in AZ to come check it out!

AlphabetSoup Style 

thesully said...

LOVE the colorful photos of the soda pop bottles. True art! You should print some of them out! xx

thesully.blogspot.com

Preston Smith said...

Picture 4 (reds)... is that Jackson Hole Strawberry Rhubarb right in the middle.

Cynthia Bosch said...

to bad you didn't have room for their desserts!

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