Third Bad Jimmy’s is now open. Here’s a look inside the new burger bar

Bad Jimmy’s smashburger empire continues to sizzle. A third location of James Piazza’s hip burger bar is now open in uptown Phoenix.

The new restaurant, located on Seventh Street just north of Bethany Home Road, officially opened on Thursday. It replaces Cock N’ Tails, which closed in July 2023.

In addition to having more places for Valley diners to tuck in to lacy, flat-top griddled burgers, waffle fries and sea salt-flecked soft serve, this third location is outfitted with a smoker. That means soon every Bad Jimmy’s location will have the smoked-and-fried wings that were previously a weekly special on the menu, full time.

During the new restaurant’s first lunch service, Piazza checks in on customers and says hello. It’s been a busy few years for the chef and owner, whose burger bars are among Phoenix New Times’ Top 100 Restaurants.

He opened a location in Scottsdale in March after launching the original Bad Jimmy’s location in downtown Phoenix in 2023.

Piazza says he’s excited to be part of another Phoenix neighborhood, and he’s been energized by the response so far.

“People just being gracious, giving kind words and just expressing how they’re excited we’re here, that makes us feel really good,” Piazza says. “That’s a really cool feeling.”

Piazza brings a little humor with his brand as well. A billboard that sits steps from the restaurant proclaims “there goes the neighborhood,” while on the other side it shows Bad Jimmy’s cheeseburgers lined up in assembly.

Inside, the formerly dark, moody venue has been transformed into the light, bright retro diner aesthetic that’s a hallmark of Bad Jimmy’s brick-and-mortar locations. Cherry red booths and glossy white tile envelope the space, while red neon tube lighting casts its glow around the ceiling. There’s a BurgerTime arcade game and tchotchkes displayed on shelves behind the bar, like a Labubu holding a Coke bottle and a vintage Hamburger Helper clock.

“It was fun. It was really cool to see things come to fruition,” Piazza says of the transformation of this latest restaurant. “It’s really exciting.”

Here’s a look inside the new uptown Phoenix Bad Jimmy’s.

Bad Jimmy’s

6101 N. Seventh St.
7620 E. Indian School Road, #101, Scottsdale
108 E. Pierce St.