Tucson has no shortage of burgers, but Redbird Scratch Kitchen + Bar is the place locals whisper about when someone says, “I want something epic between two buns.”
Here, smash burgers get the star treatment with USDA Choice beef, locally made buns, and toppings that go from classic American comfort to wild Southwestern heat, all backed by craft cocktails and a laid-back Arizona vibe that makes every visit feel like Friday night. 🍔🔥🍹
How Redbird Scratch Kitchen + Bar won Tucson’s hearts
Redbird won Tucson’s heart by taking the food everyone already loves—burgers, wings, tacos, loaded fries—and giving it a scratch-made, chef-driven glow-up.
From day one, the team of four longtime friends behind Redbird focused on making everything in-house: sauces, dressings, syrups, and burger toppings, using quality ingredients like USDA Choice beef, NAE chicken, and locally made “pan Virginia” buns.🌵
Instead of reinventing the wheel, Redbird’s menu leans into “approachable classics” done extremely well—think smash burgers with soft butter onions, thick-cut bacon, and roasted green chiles, alongside waffle fries, wings, and tacos that feel familiar but taste dialed-up.
Word spread quickly through Tucson foodie circles and features like “Restaurant of the Week: Redbird Scratch Kitchen + Bar” on local sites, where write-ups praised their comfort food with a modern twist, generous portions, and genuinely friendly service. 😋
Locals don’t just come for one thing; they come for the experience: a neighborhood bar energy, a full bar pouring Redbird Old Fashions and house cocktails, and food that feels like upgraded bar favorites instead of fussy small plates.
The “comfort meets craft” philosophy turned this spot into a go-to for burger dates, game-night meetups, and family dinners, with many regulars proudly claiming it as their burger bar on Tucson’s northwest side and in Sam Hughes. 🍻
Food Highlights
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Classic Onion Burger: A love letter to Oklahoma-style onion burgers, this one layers soft butter onions, American cheese, yellow mustard, and dill pickles over those crispy-edged smash patties.
It’s popular with burger enthusiasts who crave simple, high-impact flavors—salty, tangy, and onion-forward—without a pile of extra toppings getting in the way of the beef. 🧅
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Redbird Classic Burger: This is the baseline obsession—two smash patties seared on the flattop, soft butter onions, American cheese, Redbird sauce, dill pickles, lettuce, and tomato on a fresh, locally made bun.
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B.O.G. Burger: Short for “Bacon, Onion, Gruyère,” this beauty stacks thick-cut bacon, soft butter onions, Gruyère and American cheeses, sweet onion aioli, lettuce, and tomato.
The B.O.G. wins hearts with its sweet-savory onion profile and melty cheese overload, turning a bacon cheeseburger into something worthy of a dedicated fan club. 🥓🧀
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Sonoran Burger: A true Tucson nod, this burger brings roasted green chiles, soft butter onions, Oaxacan and American cheeses, garlic-guajillo mayo, guacamole, lettuce, and tomato.
Locals love it for the roasted chile heat and creamy guac, calling it a must-try for anyone who wants a burger that actually tastes like the Sonoran desert in the best possible way. 🌶️🥑
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Early Bird Burger: Breakfast meets burger with thick-cut bacon, a pasture-raised fried egg, crispy waffle fries, American cheese, Redbird sauce, lettuce, and tomato.
This one is beloved by big eaters and brunch-at-dinner types, thanks to that runny yolk, crunchy fries, and smoky bacon combo that makes it feel like a hangover cure and celebration meal rolled into one. 🍳🍟
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Blue Mushroom Burger: For the funk fans, this burger pairs cremini red wine mushrooms with soft butter onions, blue cheese crumbles, blue cheese sauce, lettuce, and tomato.
It’s popular among guests who crave rich, earthy flavors and bold blue cheese, making it one of the more “chef-y” options in the burger lineup. 🍄💙
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BBQ Bacon Burger: A backyard cookout in burger form, this stack features thick-cut bacon, soft butter onions, sweet onion aioli, house-made BBQ sauce, sharp cheddar and American cheese, and dill pickles.
It’s a hit with BBQ lovers who want smoky, tangy, messy goodness, and the from-scratch BBQ sauce gives it a signature edge you don’t get from bottled stuff. 🔥
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“Die In Your Sleep” 3×3 Burger: The chaos king of the menu—three burger patties, double thick-cut bacon, roasted green chiles, soft butter onions, American cheese, Redbird sauce, and triple cheese sauce.
This beast gets talked about in local write-ups like Tucson Foodie’s feature on Redbird and is a rite of passage for burger fanatics who want to test their appetite (and their dignity) in the most delicious way. 😈🍔
Atmosphere
Redbird’s vibe hits that sweet spot between neighborhood bar and modern eatery—casual enough for shorts and a tee, polished enough for date night.
Inside, the space feels warm and lively, with a buzz from the bar, TVs for the game, and a mix of booths and tables that make it easy to roll in with a group or snag a corner for two. 🍺
The Redbird team emphasizes genuine hospitality, and reviews frequently praise servers and bartenders for being friendly, attentive, and enthusiastic about the menu. 🌵❤️
Bottom Line
Redbird is a must for smash-burger lovers chasing crispy edges, bold toppings, and scratch-made sauces.
Visit for Sonoran-inspired flavors, hefty “3×3” creations, loaded Al Pastor chicken wings, and a full bar pouring creative cocktails.
Go when you want comfort food crafted with care, a fun neighborhood vibe, and burgers that might ruin all others for you. 🤤🔥
Address:
Redbird Scratch Kitchen + Bar
6444 North Oracle Rd Tucson, AZ 85704
📞 (520) 495-5353
🕔 Open Sun–Thu, 11 AM–9 PM; Fri–Sat, 11 AM–10 PM (verify hours on their site as they may change)