Smashburger Takes on Tempe, AZ

by Gary Weinberg on October 7, 2009

smashburger drinkAs I walk down University Avenue along the ASU campus I see the usual suspects; coffee houses, bookstores, and oodles of fast food joints. Today there is a new kid in town. Smashburger.

A fresh take on the classic fast food burger joint, Smashburger offers made-to-order burgers; Rosemary, olive oil, garlic fries (Smashfries); and Haagen-Dazs shakes. Every Smashburger is made when it’s ordered, so don’t come here if you are late to class; the wait from order to delivery is about five to seven minutes, and you’ll want to take your time enjoying these burgers. Smashburger takes a different approach to burger preparation – they start with a one-third or half pound ball of 100% fresh Angus beef; smash, sear, and season it on a flat grill, then serve it on a buttered-toasted artisan bun and top it with cheese, fresh produce and condiments. The result is an irregularly shaped, juicy, delicious burger.

burger and veggie frites

I stopped down there today for the grand opening and tried the BBQ, Bacon, & Cheese Smashburger ($5.99) with Smashfries ($1.79), and Veggie Frites ($2.99). Right away I noticed that the Smashburger differentiates itself from other burgers with ambrosial seasonings and juiciness. Yes, this burger was juicier than Perez Hilton gossip at a Hollywood red carpet event. These guys really have the searing down to a science. A few other points of interest – the Smashfries are delicious; the whole rosemary, garlic, oil coating really works well. Points for the Veggie Frites, too. You get a nice blend of asparagus, carrots, and green beans, which are flash fried and seasoned, then served hot to your table. They offer a few other menu items including a Smashchicken sandwiches, Smashdogs, and Smashsalads (if you’re into that healthy stuff).

veggie frites

If Smashburger has a weakness, it’s the hours of operation. I mean, come on.. you are operating on a college campus and closing at 10 PM every night? Seriously? One thing ASU needs are more places to soak up all that alcohol after a long night on the sauce. I’ll give Smashburger a half point back for opening at 10 AM to help cure the hangover the next day. I have a feeling that a smashed, seared burger and greasy coated fries may remedy the brown bottle flu.

Overall, Smashburger is a hit and is sure to win the hearts and minds of hungry college students roaming the streets of Tempe, Arizona.

Smashburger
777 E. College Avenue
Suite 105
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 829-3750
www.smashburger.com
Smashburger on Urbanspoon

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Smashburger « The AZ Burger
October 15, 2009 at 10:11 pm

{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }

1 Rail Life April 19, 2010 at 9:33 pm

How cool, it looks like we were both at Smashburger on the same day of their opening… Too bad I missed you…
My favorite so far has been the Arizona Burger, it rocks.
Glad I found your blog, great stuff, for sure!
Thanks for all of the cool food ideas!

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