Mario's Butcher Shop — Local services in Newport Beach

This place came to my attention due to an Instagram post, which spoke very highly of the "smash burger" and since it was just around the way I figured I'd give it a try.

The location is in a pretty busy strip mall and parking can be a bit of a chore. The establishment is easy enough to find and there seems to be ample seating outdoors, which is good as there is no seating inside. This is a butcher/ Sandwich shop. The staff seem super friendly and it's a comfortable atmosphere.

Now I must admit, this was my first "smash burger" and I was not really sure what to expect. The post that lead me here suggested a double smash with bacon so I figured I'd try that. Not sure what I was expecting, but the burger turned out to be just OK. I would have said great as the flavor and taste of the meat and condiments was pretty good, but the bigger was well-done, and I'm a med-rare guy when it comes to meat. It's like half the flavor or taste was missing being well-done. Having never ordered a smash burger before I'm not even sure anything other than well-done is possible. The other issue I found was as a "pickle guy," the pickles on this burger are super thin and do little to add to the flavor, they only tease you a little and make you wish there were more. Also, there is no tomato which seems a strange thing to not have on a buger.

The restaurant style fries were an unexpected surprise and were a nice addition, but then I would have prefered onion rings. If your gonna fry stuff then onion rings and Zucchini should be on the menu. There is an excellent assortment of drinks to choose from either in can or bottle, then there is the meat.

This is a smallish shop so the range of what can be displayed is slightly limited, so most of the display was stakes and some fish, not sure if there was more to be had, but then I should imagine anything on the menu would be available. Due to the size of things it takes a while for them to prepare everything and during the Saturday lunch time the place was packed. This means it takes about 25 to 35 minutes to get your order.

So, since this was my first experience with a smash burger I will go back and see what else can be managed. Since the burger was good and the experience pleasant, I would say this is a good place to get a smash burger. I suppose my only recommendation would be that the proprietor needs to suss out a way to prepare things a little quicker, and maybe some additional options other...

BIG AND MEATY ! Since moving to Irvine just a few months ago we've been reading great things about this butcher shop / deli place. GREAT SANDWICHES ! Who doesn't love a big meaty sandwich from a deli ? On Sunday my wife and I were racking up the miles on our eBikes cruising around the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve. BIG RIDE ! Gee I think we did 28 miles on the day. LUNCH ! Instead of our usual lunch stop a few doors up we decided to grab sandwiches here for the first time. WOW ! When we rolled up on our bikes around 1pm the joint was smokin' ( pun intended ) ! The huge outdoor patio was packed and there was a line inside waiting to order. We managed to nab one of the last tables on the patio and I went inside to get a menu. While my wife checked out the menu I went back inside and grabbed a couple of ice cold waters from their dispenser ( filled with ice ). This butcher shop / deli has some fabulous looking fresh cut meats, house made sausages, Artisan Rye Bread and much more. My wife decided on a PASTRAMI ON RYE ( mustard, pickles, cole slaw, swiss cheese ) while I went for the PULLED PORK ( Mayo, pickles, onions, bbq sauce on a bun ). I stood in line to order and couldn't help admiring the eloquent efficiency of the tall male cashier. This dude knew his stuff and how to treat the customers. VERY IMPRESSIVE ! And there were some big lunch orders going down...4 steak sandwiches and more. My turn came and I told the cashier what we wanted....turns out this cashier guy is Andrew the GM who thanked me and said he would bring our lunch order out to us. WOW ! And it wasn't long before Andrew hand delivered our super looking sandwiches. My wife thought her Pastrami On Rye was THE BEST EVER ! Not to be outdone even though my Pulled Pork on a soft bun didn't look anywhere near as big as my wife's huge Pastrami On Rye Sandwich...it was overstacked with juicy pulled pork.....so juicy ! I ate that sucker in 60 seconds. We will have to come back and buy some meat, sausages, pork tamales and more. We were very impressed. Maybe they could add some beer / wine, cold brew lattes and some frozen gelato but hey if it ain't broken don't fix it....

UPDATE - Food so good I drive 20 miles to have lunch with a friend. The double Big Mac Burger specials is what we order. One order of fries but we're a little older. The burgers, juicy, fresh and flavorful. The sauce a perfect complement with little sour bites of pickle. A gourmet Big Mac elevated in all ways even the bun! The fries thick steak cut crispy on the outside soft in the center. No burned ones a seldom "shorties" like In-n-Out. Fries done in in-house made beef tallow. So much flavor. A canned Coke washes it down fine. Staff have been so nice, the Mgr (Owner) has as well. The meat for sale is exceptional. It is at fair market price so we are waiting for a special occasion. Restrooms inside for customers. Al fresco seating next to street side beside the store. Often packed, a full restaurant is always a good tell. You like burgers? Come for the special on THUR. Or enjoy the deli treats the offer other times. Thanks for the great experience. TIP - Parking can be full, just slowly loop around a space will open.

Truly loved it! It is a Butchers Shop too. However we went for the THUR double burger special. It was perfect. The side of steak fries as promised done in beef tallow was enough for two to share. TIP - canned and bottled drinks. They even have Mexican Coke (see pics). The pastrami a guy next to us was having looked awesome. Most sandwiches under 14$, reasonable and comparative to local prices. South side of establishment has a nice patio. Hands down THE best burger I've had in over a decade. Affordable and...