It’s all in the technique.
I’m not going to dance around this or mince words. I LOVE burgers. But, and here’s the BIG but, my long term, low carb lifestyle thankfully says “no way” to most of my burger cravings. There is no doubt that burgers are a big business. Burger places are popping up left and right. They’re everywhere. And, of course, Sarasota has its share. After all, we are an up and coming food destination.
So with all of the choices, what separates the blah from the BOOM! In this case it all might come down to burger cooking technique.
Admittedly, there are tons of ways to cook a proper burger. Everyplace and everybody has their signature method. But, one style has gotten more attention lately than some of the others. Smashed. Yes, you read that correctly. And, I am happy to report that the results are smashing (sorry).
There has been a ton written on the science of meat smashing in the past few years. From Bon Appetit, to mad food scientist J. Kenji Lopez-Alt over at the Serious Eats Food Lab, smashing is the thing. Why? If you’ve had a smashed burger I don’t need to tell you. If you haven’t, the real question is “why not!?”
If you’re one of the uninitiated mentioned at the end of the last paragraph then I’ve got some great news for you. It comes down to one word, Smashburger. The most recent light on Sarasota’s burger landscape. And, they’ve got smashing down. I mean they better have, it’s in their name after all.
Just opened on the north west corner of Tuttle and University Parkway is Smashburger. They’re out to show Sarasota’s burger loving crowd what the buzz is all about.
That’s a BBQ, Bacon & Cheddar Burger. Yes, I know, it’s looks pretty delicious. All the burgers here are made from Certified Angus Beef. Those are Smashburgers signature Haystack Onions topping off that creation. And, of course, you can get those as a side.
Each Smashburger has its own regional creation. That really shows a nice respect for the area. For the Sarasota market they are serving up the Medianoche Burger. It’s like a crazy cross between a Cuban sandwich and a cheeseburger. And, you know what, it works! Smoked ham, aged Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard give this an oddly familiar but uniquely one of a kind flavor. Not quite burger and yet not exactly Cuban. You should try one.
As you can see, they serve their burgers in two distinct parts. Then, it’s up to you to close it up. I kind of like that. If for some reason you only want two pickles vs. four (I can’t imagine why you would) you can easily remove the unwanted slices without tearing your lovingly constructed burger to shreds right there in the dining room.
They have chicken. Oh, not just any chicken, Smashchicken.
That’s a Buffalo & Blue Cheese Crispy Chicken Sandwich. You can get any of their Smashchicken sandwiches crispy or grilled. Lots and lots of choices. Lots and lots of combos.
Side? You, already saw their signature Haystack Onions, They’re super addictive, beware. But, these skinny cut French fries were off the charts great.
What makes them fantastic? It’s hard to put your finger on. But, you might have a better clue once you’ve eaten your way to the bottom of the basket. Good luck, report back.
You’ve got a have a little dessert to wash all of that down, right? Did someone say Haagen Dazs Milkshake? Oh, that’s right, I just did. Can you think of a better ending? I think you’ll be hard pressed to, that’s for sure.
So, let’s recap. Smashed=a juicy, mouthwatering burger. Tons of combinations, mix and match to your hearts content. Finally, a fun, family friendly fast casual dining experience. Smashburger, welcome to the neighborhood!
SMASHBURGER
2805 University Parkway
Sarasota, FL 34243
941-351-1990
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