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Hollis Johnson
The vibrant fast-casual better-burger sector is alive and well, with more and more chains offering their twist on the classic burger.
2016-04-01
A few big names manage to stand out among the fray: Shake Shack, Five Guy's, and Smashburger.
With locations in 32 states and seven countries and continuing expansion plans, Smashburger is easily proving itself in the better-burger arena.
Founded by fast-food visionary and McGriddle inventor Tom Ryan, the chain has scaled rapidly since its inception in 2007 — showing that America's love affair with the burger has only just begun.
We ventured to Smashburger's midtown New York City location to see how it stacks up to the rest of the better burger joints.
We arrived at Smashburger's Midtown location at 33rd Street and Fifth Avenue, right in the shadow of the Empire State Building.
Hollis Johnson
It's lunchtime so naturally there's quite a line, but it moves quickly and before we know it, our order is being taken.
Hollis Johnson
Smashburger appears to be like most fast-casual burger joints, such as Shake Shack or BurgerFi, but its menu offers more options.
Hollis Johnson
Its menu offers roughly eight burger options, including a regional burger made with local flavors depending to the location. Its menu also offers a variety of chicken sandwiches, shakes, and sides.
Hollis Johnson
Customers can order to stay or to go. We decide to dine in and choose a spot in the community-seating area, and wait for our food to arrive at the table.
Hollis Johnson
The decor follows the typical fast-casual theme, with dim lighting, metal, and warm wood accents. This Smashburger has a slight New York City vibe to it.
Hollis Johnson
The wait for our order doesn't take long — no more than seven minutes. The customer service is incredibly attentive and we're impressed by the friendliness of the staff.
Hollis Johnson
We ordered the "New Yorker" burger, topped with grilled onions, cheddar cheese, spinach, tomato, and peppercorn aioli on a brioche bun, with a side of onion rings ...
Hollis Johnson
... and the buffalo and blue-cheese burger with a side of fried pickles. Both burgers were surprisingly cheap for "better burgers" in NYC: Each burger is $7.29.
Hollis Johnson
The fried pickles are little slices of heaven. The pickle is deep fried to crunchy perfection yet the inside is still juicy and crispy. When dipped in Ranch dressing, it's a sublime snack for a fair $2.99.
Hollis Johnson
The onion rings are more strings than rings, which adds an extra crispy crunch. They're a little on the greasy side, but we don't mind. Plus, for a mere $2.49, they're a great deal.
Hollis Johnson
The onion rings come with a mystery dipping sauce that's delightfully zesty — we detect horseradish or mustard flavors.
Hollis Johnson
While making burgers is its forte, Smashburger's hand-spun shakes are delectable. We got an Oreo shake and a strawberry shake. They're served with the remainder of the shake in the metal blending cup, which is a great touch.
Hollis Johnson
The burgers are served open-face, with a hefty amount of toppings. The grilled onions on the "New Yorker" were still steaming.
Hollis Johnson
When it's all put together, the burger is slightly on the small side. All burgers are offered as a normal size or the double size. We could have easily gone for the double option.
Hollis Johnson
After taking a bite, we immediately taste the freshness of the ingredients. The baby spinach is a nice touch to a well-constructed burger. Despite all of the toppings, the patty is not greasy and the brioche bun holds up astonishingly well.
Hollis Johnson
Next we have the buffalo and blue-cheese burger. It's packed with flavor and has a strong heat that's just enough, but doesn't overwhelm the burger's taste.
Hollis Johnson
It's juicy, not greasy. The entire burger seems freshly prepared — nothing frozen or pre-made.
Hollis Johnson
Smashburger is in 32 states and seven countries and is expanding rapidly. It offers a more adventurous burger experience than Shake Shack, but comparing the two is somewhat unfair. Shake Shack offers the basics — burgers, fries, and shakes — with very high quality, while Smashburger aims for a more complete dining experience.
Hollis Johnson
We'll definitely be coming back to try the rest of the menu.
Hollis Johnson
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Hollis is former the photo editor at Business Insider. He graduated from the photography program at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design.His personal work can be found at hollisjohnson.com.
Marina is a retail intern for Business Insider. She graduated from the University of Michigan in May 2015 with a degree in communications and political science. She previously interned for the New York Mets in media relations.
