Raspberry preserves, blue cheese crumbles and macaroni and cheese aren’t the typical toppings you’ll find on hamburgers, but Lindy’s on 4th isn’t your traditional burger joint.
Seth Belvitch, 33, is the lead cook at the restaurant, 431 N. Fourth Ave. His 10 years of experience in the kitchens of bars, lounges and sports grills brought him to his gig as the untraditional chef behind one of Tucson’s niche dinner spots.
Belvitch was 21 when he began his cooking career in the kitchen at O’Malley’s on Fourth. He needed a job to help support his hobby — playing bass in local bands. He worked on and off for seven years at the bar, returning after leaving to live stints in Alabama, Idaho and Florida.
“Sometimes you get fed up with (Tucson) and end up leaving,” he said. “And then you find out that there’s nothing better than coming back here.”
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He later worked at Bumsted’s, The Boondocks Lounge and Lindy’s at Redline Sports Grill, where he met Lindy’s on Fourth owner Lindon Reilly. Belvitch has been cooking at Lindy’s on Fourth for three years.
One of Belvitch’s main responsibilities is to help conjure up the Burger of the Month. He usually picks an ingredient that isn’t already used on the menu and goes from there.
“It’s my time to get creative with it,” he said.
October’s special burger was the Porky’s Revenge, a one-third-pound dry rub beef patty with barbecue pulled pork, coleslaw and provolone cheese.
One thing Belvitch can’t get himself to do is attempt to eat the OMFG, made famous by Travel Channel’s “Man vs. Food Nation.” It’s nine ⅓-pound patties with cheddar, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and Lindy’s house sauce. If you finish it within 20 minutes, the burger is free.
“Eating three pounds of meat and 12 pieces of cheese in 30 minutes is just a little bit much for me,” he said.
He took some time to answer a few questions for us:
What is your favorite kitchen tool?
“I have to say knives. I’ve always been drawn to prep, so I like to show my knife skills whenever I can.”
What is your idea of a romantic dinner?
“My idea of a romantic date would probably have to be going up to the mountains and camping — bringing her up there and then cooking for her. Just getting away from everything.”
Is there anything that you won’t eat?
“Definitely olives. I’m not a fan of olives. I know I’m missing out on a whole array of things, but I cannot stand them. I call them the ‘devil’s berry.’”
Seth Belvitch
