By Madelaine Braggs | Rose Law Group Reporter
There’s a neon-lit diner in Cottonwood, Arizona with vintage ambiance that serves up an incredible immersive experience, along with its classic Americana menu.
Bing’s Burger Station has a charming history and is the ideal spot for a milkshake and burger date reminiscent of the big band era. The establishment is repurposed out of a 1940’s service station, but opened as a family-run restaurant in 2009.
Honoring its roots, two vintage bright red Gilmore gas pumps sit underneath the roof where once upon a time, you could see cars line up to top off the tank. A red 1950 Plymouth Special Deluxe sedan stays parked out front.
The architecture of the building, which was once a mechanic shop, then a Mobil and then Chevron station, is well preserved. The original metal roof and frame are reinforced with stucco exterior. The front of the building has two sets of 3 panel windows on either side of the front entrance, which were the original service bay doors and the functioning garage door opens up to the patio seating.
Inside decor recreates a diner that feels like a Turner Classic Movie. The walls are adorned from floor to ceiling with metal signage and memorabilia of the 40’s and 50’s, a theme that is popular for customers who love nostalgia atmosphere.
You walk in and are greeted by friendly staff, working behind the shiny silver metal kitchen that sits open-air directly in front of the door. There’s bar seating at the edge of the sizzling grills, if that’s your type of ‘Nighthawks’ by Edward Hopper vision. Regardless of whether you choose to sit in a bright blue booth, or on the patio, you’re expected to grab a rectangular piece of paper and old-school #2 pencil and fill out your order. Then bring your ticket up to the register for it to be run back to the cooks. Take the number tabletop stand and take a seat.
Unfortunately for this foodie, I arrived a little too late in the evening to order one of their famous Deluxe Burgers. It was tragic really… two orders ahead of me nabbed the last beef patties Bing had to offer. Pro tip: Get there at typical dinner hours.
But what’s more Americana than a hot dog? I could have almost been disappointed enough to say I “don’t dig it,” and while I was really craving a burger with my hand cut fries, the flavor of their Rock ’n’ Roll dog was enough to save the day. With a bacon wrapped beef dog, beans, tomato, onion, cilantro, and chipotle avocado ranch, I closed my eyes on first bite it was so good. I couldn’t help audibly declaring, “Mmm mmm mm.”
That Rock ‘n’ Roll dog might have been one of the best hot dogs I’ve ever had in Arizona. The cookies and cream milkshake I had afterwards, literally put the cherry on top.
All details considered, “I dig it,” at Bing’s Burger Station the same way a sock-hopper digs wearing her beau’s letterman jacket after homecoming. Coincidentally, I ate here the same night as the local high school’s homecoming dance, evident by the many patrons in glittery outfits enjoying meals cooked by their peers. It appears some traditions are timeless at Bing’s.
