Smacks Orpington — Restaurant in London

I've been on the lookout for a decent burger place for ages! It needed to be fairly local to me, have good flavoured food and wouldn't be absurdly overpriced (looks at 5guys and a few other places nearby). So when I just happened to pass by this place by complete circumstance (I had to take a detour on the way home) and I have to say it made the detour worth it! 😁

So just going by first impressions, the restaurant itself is very clean and well presented. The staff were very friendly and welcoming and the service itself was done in a timely manner, which is very impressive as the burgers are home made.

As for the food... sadly no pics this time as it was a case of needing something to eat on the way home.

I tried the Smack Down burger meal (loving the name by the way) and I am happy to say they nailed it! Just the right amount of meat in the patty, so not too thick (burnt on the outside and undercooked at the core) and not too thin (not dry like eating a cork board).

Additionally the Smack Down Burger was not overloaded with too many toppings. A lot of eateries often overload their burgers where it's used to hide a bad burger or being overloaded to the point where you can't wrap your jaw around it. There wasn't too much in the Smack Down Burger, so I could easily identify what I was eating and where the burger was packed full of flavour there was absolutely no need to hide the taste behind a tonne of extras.

And finally the chips, I gotta say that Smacks managed to also nail the timing on these, spot on! I could see these were made to order, so there was no chance of having cold stale chips like McDonald's or Burger King where they are cooked well in advanced and instantly lose their crispness the moment your foot steps out of the restaurant.

The chips were the right kind of cooked, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside and able to stay straight when held horizontally. They managed to retain their crispness well after I left the restaurant so another win in my book.

Also I did notice the staff are open to feedback, as I was reading through previous reviews, I noticed someone mentioning the burgers sweating too much as they were wrapped in both paper and foil. I'm happy to report that mine was just wrapped in paper, so my burger managed to not fall apart once I had finished my chips. This is definitely a good case of staff taking the customer feedback and using that to improve their service.

Anyway that's enough rambling from me, go try it yourself! I'm looking forward to making another visit and I would personally suggest not ordering from the online services and trying them in person so you can experience the flavours at their best, keep up the good...

Jennifer's radiant charm and unwavering smile transformed our visit to Smaks hamburgers into an unforgettable experience. Her exceptional service went above and beyond, creating an atmosphere of genuine warmth that complemented the delightful flavors of the burgers.

From the moment we entered, Jennifer's friendly demeanor set a positive tone. Her enthusiasm for the menu was infectious, and she navigated us through the diverse burger options with grace and expertise. Her recommendations were not only flavorful but also tailored to our preferences, showcasing a keen attention to detail.

Jennifer's commitment to ensuring our satisfaction was evident in every interaction. She anticipated our needs with finesse, making us feel not just like customers but like cherished guests. Her dedication to providing excellent service was matched only by her genuine joy in creating memorable moments for diners.

In addition to her professional prowess, Jennifer's charisma added an extra layer of sweetness to our dining experience. Her bright smile and approachable demeanor created a welcoming atmosphere, making Smaks Burgers not just a place to enjoy great food but a destination to savor delightful moments crafted by a truly sweet lady.

In summary, Jennifer's outstanding service, combined with her infectious charm, elevates Smaks Burgers to a higher level. Her genuine passion for hospitality and dedication to creating delightful experiences make her an invaluable asset to the establishment.

She even gave a lady who was rushing not to miss her bus free fries as she frantically looked for...

I usually like this place but my last few orders have been a bit on the sloppy side to say the least. One order was labelled as the Smack Down I ordered and yet was a plain chicken sandwich. I can understand them making an honest mistake so this occasion I would have forgiven were it not for the next. Upon unwrapping a Spicy chicken wrap I purchased I saw multiple pieces of what I can only assume to be lettuce with rotted areas. Working in the culinary industry myself it's pretty difficult to miss brown rotted patches on vegetation. This is a disgusting oversight and is one of the basic things you learn when you work in a kitchen. The fact they served it to me proves they don't deserve 5/5 for their food standards. I definitely won't be touching this place with a 10 foot pole for a...