Maijard Smashburgers — Restaurant in Amsterdam

When it comes to dining out for a burger, one expects a balance between quality, flavor, and value for money. Maijard Smash, while boasting a commendable burger experience, treads a fine line between delivering a satisfying meal and justifying its higher price point.

The initial impression is that the prices are somewhat on the steep side, which raises certain expectations. At the price tag, it's not unreasonable for patrons to anticipate not only a delicious burger but also a premium-grade meat that justifies the cost. It's this underlying expectation that can set the stage for the overall experience.

With only two burger options on the menu, Maijard Smash showcases confidence in their offerings. Such streamlined choices often indicate that a restaurant has mastered the art of their signature dish. Kudos to them for keeping things simple and focusing on what they do best.

Upon stepping inside, the restaurant's staff and service stood out as a highlight. The friendly and knowledgeable staff added to the overall ambiance, making the dining experience feel welcoming and comfortable.

The cooking of the meat deserves appreciation; it was well-cooked and retained its juiciness, a testament to the kitchen's skills. The carefully curated ingredients married well, resulting in a harmonious flavor profile that showcased a thought-out balance of tastes.

However, a hiccup emerged in the form of an ingredient that felt out of place. There seemed to be an addition to the burger—likely a chili or pepper-based sauce—that didn't quite fit the overall taste profile. While culinary experimentation is commendable, this addition seemed like an attempt to be different rather than a seamless enhancement to the burger's flavors.

In terms of location, Maijard Smash seemed to have found a sweet spot. The convenience and appeal of the location likely contribute to its popularity, making it a favorable choice for a dining destination.

In conclusion, Maijard Smash offers a solid burger experience with its well-cooked meat, thoughtful ingredients, and amiable staff. However, the pricing does stand as a detractor, particularly considering the elevated expectations set by the cost. While it's clear that the restaurant takes pride in its offerings, a minor flavor mismatch and a slightly inflated price point prevent it from reaching perfection. Should they refine the balance between value and taste, Maijard Smash could undoubtedly become a top-notch burger...

Last Saturday, my family and I had the pleasure of visiting Mijard Berenstraat in Amsterdam for lunch. Located in one of the city's picturesque streets, this cozy little spot provided a delightful dining experience that left us eager to return.

Atmosphere and Decor: Mijard Berenstraat, though small in size, is beautifully designed. The decor is modern yet cozy, creating a welcoming and comfortable environment that made our lunch experience all the more enjoyable. The space is cleverly utilized, ensuring that even in its compact size, the restaurant feels intimate rather than cramped, perfect for a relaxed lunch.

Quality of Ingredients: The standout feature of Mijard Berenstraat is undoubtedly the exceptional quality of its ingredients. From the very first bite, it’s clear that they prioritize the freshest and finest produce. This dedication to quality is evident in every dish, significantly enhancing the overall dining experience.

Menu Simplicity and Efficacy: The menu at Mijard Berenstraat is refreshingly straightforward, offering just one main dish: the iconic Smashburger. This focus on a single item allows the restaurant to excel in its preparation, and the result is nothing short of outstanding. The Smashburger is juicy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked, living up to its reputation and providing a satisfying lunch option.

Side Dishes: Alongside the Smashburger, the only available side is the "Loaded Smashed Potatoes." These are a real treat—rich, creamy, and bursting with flavor. The generous garlic seasoning adds a delicious kick, though it might not be to everyone's liking. For those who appreciate a bold, savory side dish, it's a perfect complement to the main course.

Dessert: Unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance to try any desserts during our visit, giving us a great reason to come back. Given the high quality of the main course, we’re eager to explore what sweet treats Mijard Berenstraat has in store.

Mijard Berenstraat delivers a memorable lunch experience with its intimate setting, top-notch ingredients, and a simple yet effective menu. While the focus on a limited selection might seem restrictive, it allows for an extraordinary level of attention to detail and quality in each dish. This makes it a must-visit spot for a satisfying and enjoyable lunch in Amsterdam. We’ll definitely be back, especially to sample the...

This restaurant has its ups and downs; The good: the quality of beef is definitely top notch, the size, smash and cook of the patties are perfect for my preference, good sauce and the loaded smashed potatoes were also delicious. The restaurant vibe and branding was also nice and well done. The bad: though the quality of beef was good, the patties were completely unseasoned. A little salt would go a long way. The price is just astronomical in my opinion, sure the quality of beef is good but also I believe these are the smallest patties of all the smash burger spots in Amsterdam, definitely less than 100g each patty. I do prefer the smaller patties which I like to add a 3rd patty to my burgers but they still cost more than most other smash burger spots. €3 extra on a €14 burger with only lettuce, pickles and sauce with no other topping options. I was very disappointed they didn’t offer any onions, especially when displaying the book of George Motz on the shelf in the restaurant. The ugly: the place is a mess in both cleanliness and operation. Condiments and topping are all over the service counter, massive grease puddles soaked into the floor making it a little slick, trash cans were overflowing, and I found a long hair in my potatoes (I showed the staff and it was replaced immediately). It seems like this restaurant would really benefit from an additional staff member or 2 per shift to help maintain the place and get orders in/out faster. On the contrary, I will add that the 4 guys working were working quickly in a timely fashion, a trait not often found in European fast food, however, attention to detail also suffered from this. Partially because of cleanliness and partially because of accuracy. I ordered my burger without lettuce or pickles. I watched the man assemble my burger in which he put a handful of lettuce on top of the sauce but then realized his mistake. His fix was to just pull the lettuce off and complete the assembly but leaving some bits of lettuce still stuck to the sauce. While this didn’t bother me much and didn’t make a fuss about it, I still have to dock some points from accuracy.

I think there is a lot of potential here but definitely some areas that need to...