BURGERS ARE HOT (SO ARE THE CUSTOMERS)

God are we disappointed. Once we heard that Lush Burger was finally opening in North Scottsdale, we knew that meant only one thing—Paris Hilton! Tyda would finally get his chance to make a video with the heiress (like thats never been before). So we headed up to Lush today and waited and waited and waited. But no Paris.

So, we stayed and ate some food. Which, thanks to Matt Carter (Zinc Bistro, Mission), was pretty damn good for unofficial Day Number Two. (The place opens tomorrow.) Carters crazy about Harris Ranch beef, a product from Nebraska he says is far superior to most ground beef being served in this state. A little salt, a little pepper, and his job is done. But theres a business model to tend to—so where hes obligated to offer an alternative, he does so by infusing roasted green chilies and pepper jack cheese into the meat, making for a mouthwatering combo of flavors. There's also turkey, ahi, veggie, and others.

On the side, our truffle fries were delicately seasoned and the wings werent wings at all—they were actually all drumsticks (probably so the Scottsdale ladies could enjoy some white meat without having to navigate small bones -- har har har). Thinking about the ladies one step further, the folks at Lush also put a perfect mousetrap on the menu: Veuve Clicquot by the glass for $12. Theres absolutely no way Lush is making a cent off that glass of wine, but where theres Real Housewives of DC Ranch drinking Veuve Clicquot, theres a scene. Smart move.

Speaking of scene, lets get back to Paris. It turns out the reason she didnt show up is because she wasnt invited. We had the wrong Hilton family. Lush is owned by Suzi Hilton (whose husband is Steve Hilton, CEO of Meritage Homes), and Shane and Sheri Sender (who own more Subway restaurants than Jareds probably been to in the last year), and run in-part by Joshua Berk. Now, Berks an interesting part of this equation. Although hes a designer and architect by trade, he spent nearly a decade connected to the Sam Fox family of restaurants. So although Berk didnt design Lush, hes doing really, what I think I was meant to do, which is in the restaurant business.

Berk learned a ton while with Fox, and at Lush, he and Shane get to work out an operational groove and take their collective expertise to the next level. (Truth be told, the pair had been working on another restaurant concept for a while, one where Berk designs and manages, but Lush won the race.) Serving food from consulting chef Matt Carter, all at prices that refreshingly do NOT take advantage of the moneyed neighbors, wed say theyre off to an incredible start.

Burgers: $8-$12
Salads: $7-$10
Sides: $2-$4
Desserts: $1-$6

Lush Burger
DC Ranch Crossing
18251 N. Pima Rd.
(480) 686-8908
www.lushburgeraz.com

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