It’s good news for bad boys and girls as everybody’s least fav stocking stuffer is suddenly the Valley’s hottest dining trend. Yes, coal-cooked cuisine is all the rage with the latest example, Coal Burger, just firing up its grills inside the Scottsdale Quarter, and coming soon to Chandler. (But seriously, between the boozy movie theater, the Champagne lounge and now coal-charred burgers, could we love the Quarter any more?)

Here at this handsome ‘coal-fired burgeria,’ natural grass-fed beef is seared over piping hot coals inside a brick oven, and paired with sides such as sweet potato fries, onion rings and french fries all cooked in rice grain oil (which is supposed to be healthier for you). Coal Burger also boasts organic gelato shakes, beers and wines, as well as something called ‘healthful options’ such as rice vegetarian burgers and Chef-Inspired salads. Meanwhile, the restaurant space itself continues the all-natural theme with sustainable bamboo furniture and 100% recycled paper products provided by a company out of Flagstaff.

However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to places where you can chow down, cave-man style.

In fact, the whole coal-fired trend can actualy be traced back to Coal Burger’s owners, who also own the coal-fired Grimaldi’s Pizzeria. Although based here in Scottsdale (with seven locations spread throughout AZ), Grimaldi’s roots reach back to the original in Brooklyn, one of the oldest pizzerias in the nation. And if you think coal does wonders for burgers, wait until you taste how it adds a smokey toothsomeness to Grimaldi’s blistering hot pizza pies.

That said, the growing Grimaldi’s-Coal Burger empire was not the first in town to start searing up burgers inside a custom coal-fired oven. That honor belongs to The Grind, the teeny-tiny and crazy popular burger joint in Phoenix’s Arcadia district. Here, Chef Matt McLinn quick-sears his house-ground burgers inside a custom-made 1000-degree charcoal oven. Click here to read our full review.

Smokey & Savory: 15147 N. Scottsdale Rd., 480-596-1234

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