Okay, I'll admit it. The first thing my middle-aged
but still juvenile mind thought of when I heard about Smashburger was those old
Batman cartoons with the sound effects written out.
However, I have come to respect the corporate vision and
delicious offerings at Smashburger after a burger and tea tasting co-hosted by
Smashburger and Honest Tea.
Comfort food and casual dining restaurants do great in
recessions and Smashburger is no exception. Following in the footsteps of
Five Guys and others, Smashburger now has 250 stores that cater to the correct
assumption that there is a billion dollar market for people who want fast
food-style food with better quality, better ingredients and some healthier
offerings. Smashburger and Honest Tea created a corporate partnership to
carry Honest Tea products in Smashburger stores nationwide. The two
companies share a similar vision of better quality food that makes you feel
good with a premium on organic and local providers and fair trade. For
example, Smashburger uses only Grade A angus beef in its burgers. Honest
tea, a division of coca cola, reached out to chains for distribution and made a
connection with Smashburger. Several Honest Tea offerings are now fresh
brewed in Smashburger stores.
What’s the angle?
Fresh ground meat is rolled into tennis ball-sized
spheres each morning and stored in refrigerated drawers under the
griddle. When needed, these weighty meatballs are lifted out with wax
paper and placed on a 400 degree griddle and smashed using a specially-designed
stainless steel mold to create just the right shape and size. The
resulting flat hexagon (pictured) is then seasoned with Smashburger’s special
blend of spices. When the juices begin to bubble through, the burger is
flipped, allowed to cook to 155 degrees (medium to medium-well) and
removed. The whole process takes less than 3 minutes.
Burger tasting and Honest Tea pairing.
Then the resulting naked burger is dressed for success by
Smashburger’s designers. Here are some of the outfits I sampled.
1.
The Original Classic Smashburger
A classic cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, pickles, red
onion, cheddar cheese and Smashburger’s special sauce -- ketchup, lemon juice
and mustard -- paired with Honest Tea original.
This is Smashburger’s most popular sandwich and really
showcases the fresh meaty flavor of the burger along with its traditional
toppings.
2.
BBQ bacon cheddar burger -- paired with Honest Tea half-and-half
A classic cheeseburger, but topped with fried onions,
barbeque sauce, applewood smoked bacon and cheddar cheese.
Interesting note: the barbeque sauce varies regionally,
as do many of the offerings. Each major metropolitan market, for example,
has its own signature burger. The Las Vegas Sin City burger, for
instance, looks like this one but adds a fried egg on top. There is also
an L.A. Burger that features Asian fusion ingredients, such as cilantro, a
crispy won ton, and a fried egg on top. My hometown burger, the Brooklyn
burger, has pastrami layered on top. There is even a Washington, DC
burger, which was our next sampling.
3.
The Capital Burger -- aged Swiss cheese, fresh arugula, tomato,
applewood smoked bacon, brioche bun, grilled onions -- paired with partially
sweetened green tea
These regional variations make for a unique
experience. You can order your favorite local special even if it is not
on the menu. Smashburger has a “secret menu” (like In-and-Out Burger)
that allows you to order special items not listed. For example, you can
get the fried egg or truffle mayo (see item 4 below) on top of any burger or
mix and match menu items. You can also order specialty items like these
tangy fried dill pickles with ranch dressing.
These pickles are among a bevy of sides that Smashburger
offers. Not only will you find the de rigueur fries, but you will also
find sweet potato fries, veggies frites that are unbuttered and flash fried to
crisp and savory perfection.
4.
Truffle mushroom Swiss burger -- baby grilled portobello, truffle
mayo, Swiss cheese. This burger was rich, flavorful, complex, and
decadent – paired with unsweetened lemon tea.
After all of this rich meatiness, Smashburger offered a
slight reprieve and served us what, to me, was the most surprising offering of the
night: a veggie burger.
5.
Black bean burger -- chilula sauce, lettuce, tomato, red onion,
chipotle spiced bun, pepper jack cheese, jalapeño, avocado, and chipotle mayo
-- paired with honey green tea.
This burger I found to be the most interesting in that it
exceeded my expectations more than any other item served. The black bean
burger is made balled and smashed just like the angus beef offerings. It
is built into a thoughtful, spicy and delicious sandwich that is complex and
hearty. It does not taste like other veggie burgers I’ve tasted and held
together better than any other. And, by the way, you may need one of
these. This veggie burger packs a smashing kick.
In addition to the Honest Tea products, Smashburger
carries Coca-Cola products and several beer offerings, including a selection of
local craft beers with tasting profiles and pairing notes. I went for a
Stella. Smashburger is also the only chain restaurant in the country to
feature Haagen-Dazs shakes. I tried the PB and J and the salted
caramel. Both were creamy and delicious.
6.
Classic Chicken burger -- grilled breast sandwich pounded flat and
layered with lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickle, and mayo on a multigrain
wheat bun -- paired with pomegranate, blueberry and white grape juice.
7.
Chicken Avocado Club sandwich with avocado, lettuce, tomato, with
ranch dressing and applewood smoked bacon on a multigrain bun --paired with
“Heavenly Herbal Tulsi,” a lemon herbal tea infused with tulsi (basil leaf) and
lightly sweetened with natural cane sugar. This tea was my favorite of
the evening and had a great natural tea taste with nice depth and layers from
the lemon, tulsi and other ingredients.
Smashburger is not just a burger joint. A number of
salads are available too, showcasing the same fresh ingredients as their
sandwiches. The chain reports that gluten-free buns will be available
soon as well and that vegetarians can substitute a veggie burger for any burger
on the menu . . . or invent their own.
All-in-all, I am writing this missive just after noon the
day after my tasting and I am still full and happy. What can I say?
These burgers are smashing!
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