I’ve eaten at Hopdoddy several times over the last couple of years and I LOVE it. Everyone I’ve gone with has also been really enthused about the place, the company’s ethics, and the food. I finally know where the funky name for this fabulous burger place came from! Btw: this place is not just for meat eaters; they have some vegetarian options.

A union made on earth
Hopdoddy “was created to express the perfect union of burgers and beer: Handcrafter beer (Hop) + (Doddy), the nickname given to the native cow in Aberdeen, Scotland.” Their passion is to bring you the freshest available, all natural ingredients, and they do. They grind the meat for their burgers in house daily, bake their buns from scratch, and cut their own fries. (I’ve never tried the buns or fries but my friends who have say they rock along with the chile con queso dip!)

Happy meat, happy meal, happy customers
Hopdoddy’s beef comes from humanely raised, happy cows that are never given growth hormones or antibiotics. A reader board lists the names of the farms that supply their meat. They offer 13 signature burgers with fixings. You can order one of these or mix and match ingredients to make your own. You can choose from a beef (grass-fed, if you like), lamb, chicken, turkey, sushi-grade tuna, or black bean burger.

You can order a bun (white, whole wheat, or gluten-free) or go bun-less (my preference!) and ask for a lettuce wrap and extra veggie topping. You can add avocado, a fried farm-fresh egg, field mushrooms, or some of their scrumptious sauces.

Get saucey!
They have Tzatziki to Truffle Aioli, Chipotle Mayo to Cilantro Pesto, and Sassy Sauce to Salsa and Cilantro Pesto. Try pickled ginger, roasted chilies, apple-smoked (nitrate-free) bacon, caramelized onions, or one of the many varieties of cheese from cheese-makers in Texas, where this small chain of Burger Bars started (they have three locations there). They also have goat cheese too, one of my faves. (That’s the sign near the bread!)

Beyond the usual beer
Their beers come from local, small batch, artisanal brewers and organic and local spirits. (Nope, I’ve never tried them. Haven’t tried the shakes or fries either.)

What I’ve tried
I’ve had Hopdoddy’s Classic Burger, Magic Shroom Burger, and the Greek Burger. I’ve had their grassfed beef twice and the lamb once. I’ve tasted bites of their Baby Kale Salad, their Spinach & Arugula Salad, and eaten more of their Hail Caesar (my favorite of the lot; it wasn’t just plain old lettuce; it had texture and character!). You can choose from two kinds of fries and green chili queso or chile con queso dip (some of my friends who ordered it really like these) or a side of quinoa. This place has a lot to offer.

Join the crowd or beat it (the crowd, that is!)
I highly recommend it. The place is hoppin’ at lunch time and again at dinnertime but if you arrive at just the right time, you can avoid a long line. It’s super casual. You line up and head toward the kitchen. Place your order at the counter. Move to your tagged table and wait for the servers to bring you order to you. Relax. Drink a cold one of whatever you like and enjoy a satisfying meal with your family or friends.

This place is great for anyone who appreciates fresh, high quality, delicious food, having a lot of options, and being able to please veggie and meat lovers. It’s particularly good for those of us who follow paleo, primal, largely organic, whole foods, real foods, and even low carb and ketogenic diets (you’ll need more avocado and sauces). If you’re into moderate or higher carb fare, they’ve got the good for you too!

Hopdoddy is open from 11 am to 10 pm daily. Phone: (480) 348-2337. Carry outs are limited to three burgers.

The restaurant is located at 11055 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254 (just north of Shea and south of Mescal Street on the east side of the street).

I hope you try it and like it!