Tasting Notes: Smashburger

We love a tasty burger. So, when we heard that Smashburger had just opened in the next town over, we took a break from our Christmas prep and went over there for lunch.

I'd heard people compare them to In'N'Out - of which we are huge fans. We incorporate an In'N'Out stop into every road trip.

But, I don't really think they're comparable. While I love my Protein Style-Animal Style Number 2, it's still a fast food experience.

Smashburger is an order-at-the-counter, table-service kinda place. And the menu is much more extensive. More than just burgers, fries, and shakes, they have chicken options and salads.

While my trio all decided to try the signature Classic Smash, I ordered the Spinach & Goat Cheese. Cucumbers, spinach, goat cheese, tomato, onion & balsamic vinaigrette on a multi-grain bun. Everything was fresh and delicious.

Oh, if you're unfamiliar with Smashburger - I certainly was - the name is derived from how they form their burgers. "We place a fresh, never frozen loosely packed ball of Certified Angus Beef on a buttered grill.... The bottom of the burger is seared to create a crispy, caramelized shell." I really loved that. You can tell it was not from a pre-formed patty.

Jake was excited that they had a gluten-free bun. I loved that I had a multi-grain option.

D's comment was that everything was so much more colorful. I'm not sure what he meant by that. More colorful than what? But it was incredibly crisp and tasty.

You gotta love that the signature fries are tossed in Italian olive oil with rosemary and chunks of garlic.

And the boys split a chocolate-Oreo shake. I didn't taste it, but they loved - loved! - that it came topped with whipped cream and real Oreo crumbles. Needless to say: We loved it and will definitely go back.

I didn't love the lines. But, once the novelty wear off, hopefully it won't be so crowded. Still, the line to order was long. However, once we sat down, our food was out fairly quickly.

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