This is going to be a long-winded review. So buckle up.
Before I came to California, I saw In-N-Out as the Mecca of hamburgers. Any time you heard about the chain, it was nonstop words of adoration. Anthony Bourdain sang its praises, Gordon Ramsay raved about it, and the paparazzi spotted Harry Potter star Tom Felton picking up his In-N-Out through a drive-thru. If you wanted to taste what hamburgers are all about, it was In-N-Out or nothing.
When I finally visited In-N-Out, I was surprised at how affordable it was. I figured that the burgers that celebrities and the mainstream media couldn't stop hyping up had to be priced to match their publicity. But nope. The prices were perfectly reasonable. To my disappointment, the food didn't blow me away. I let my expectations run wild and assumed that In-N-Out had to have the best burgers in the world. No. Not even close. I wouldn't have even said it was miles ahead of the typical American fast-food restaurant. The taste was good, but nothing earth-shattering.
Ok, now is the time to explain why I spent the previous two paragraphs talking about a seemingly unrelated fast-food chain. That preface was necessary because Smashed is exactly the place I imagined in my head when I was fantasizing about In-N-Out before arriving at LAX.
The smash burgers here melt in your mouth. Mouth-watering and juicy are hyperbolic ways to describe typical burgers. This is one of the few places I've been to that actually deserves to call their burgers by those descriptors.
Smash burgers are the ultimate burger. Everyone is entitled to their opinion regarding the perfect way to make their burger, but I'm willing to bet my life that more people would prefer this style of burger over any other version after a blind taste test. The crust that forms on the burgers as they are flattened on the sizzling hot grills is unbeatable. The burger patties served here are so hot that they're still steaming long after you've picked up your order.
The cheese sequenced in between the burger meat is nothing short of liquid gold, further rounding out the amazing flavor and texture. The standard burger comes with an incredible house-made sauce, pickles, and perfectly caramelized onions. Sure, if you want to, you could add lettuce and tomato to the burger. But for my money, if you want the best possible experience, skip out on them just this one time. Taste the burgers as the genius cooks at this restaurant have prepared them. Go back for seconds to add lettuce and tomato if you'd like.
The burgers alone make this place good enough to bring J. Kenji López-Alt to tears, but they take things a step further with their loaded fries. As a means to reduce the amount of red meat entering my body, I chose their Vegan Smashed Fries. Friends, believe me when I say these are some of the best loaded fries I have ever had the good fortune of eating. I'll even risk it all by saying these loaded fries are not just better than the famed In-N-Out Animal Fries; they're also every bit as good as a classic California delicacy, Carne Asada fries.
Unfortunately, we are at the least fun portion of the review. The worst thing to talk about these days when it comes to a restaurant is the pricing. Like I said, this place was the In-N-Out of my dreams in every single facet. I wouldn't be surprised if my fellow Yelpers gave this wonderful spot 4 stars instead of the 5 its food deserves simply because of the price.
Yes, a seemingly simple double cheeseburger will set you back ten dollars. And these burgers are by no means gigantic. They're packed with dopamine in every bite, but they're far from the gut-busting, colossal behemoths Americans are used to. I understand if this will be a dealbreaker for some people. But if you have the extra coin to spare, make this place a priority. Especially if you're only visiting Los Angeles and not likely to return for some time. You owe it to yourself to taste one of the finest examples of the national American dish.
If you're a Los Angeles resident, what are you waiting for? Get in the car and make the nightmarish trip through L.A. traffic to eat here in Burbank. If you're hurting for cash, save some money and bring your significant other for a special date at this establishment.
Isn't that a bit weird? To bring a date to a greasy burger hole-in-the-wall? This will be the only instance in your lifetime where I can promise it will be one of the most memorable dining experiences the two of you will ever have.
5 stars? Forget that. This place needs a Michelin star. read more