salt & smash — Restaurant in Reading

Hello, so I attended today during the opening weekend so take this with a pinch of salt (no pun intended) and things may have been rectified since you’re reading this.

Price: The opening weekend was 50% which meant I personally cannot grumble at the price. I had a burger, loaded fried and a Pepsi for £8.20 which is a bargain. However, without the opening discount, the prices are significantly above market average (£16.40 for a burger, loaded fries and a drink) which is fine when the food quality and environment is better than market average.

Burger: The burger was good, nothing to write home about but it was good. It wasn’t greasy, had lots of flavour and was a good size for the money. The meat was a little well-done, actually slightly overdone and too much sauce. I understand however that this is opening weekend so with training and time, the kitchen crew will improve in this regard.

Loaded fries: The loaded fries need a lot of work. Full price is quite a lot of money considering the burger alone is £9.95 and the meal total was £16.40 (without the promotion) therefore you expect could quality for this price. The meat on the loaded fries was not good quality, overcooked (again) and not at all tender. There was way too much sauce on these fries and it really overpowered the flavours. Yet the biggest issue with the fries was that they were on the soggy side, could’ve done with an extra minute of frying, especially due to the amount of sauce on them. That being said, again it was a good portion size and nicely presented.

Drink: Not much to review here although, it would be better costumer service to give the drink at the point of purchase rather than the point of collecting the food. Not a big change to operations yet would massively improve the costumer experience.

Costumer service: The manager was really good and helpfully explained the menu, equally asked how everything was when I left which is always a nice touch, especially on an opening weekend. There was a lot of noise in the kitchen which can be heard from the front of the restaurant as there is no music. This does take away from the costumer experience as it was like a military training camp in there, however, I understand it is opening weekend and the manager was training staff but I would not expect this once they are trained. I do however understand that running a kitchen at the best of times can be stressful but you need to think of all stakeholders in this aspect. Perhaps music in the dining area would be a good implementation.

Operations: The food arrived quickly and they have a buzzer system in place which works well. The dining area was clean, comfortable and really well decorated.

One thing you need to ensure is that your sign says ‘OPEN’! It’s opening weekend for heavens sake, you need to get as many costumers in as possible to try your products and hospitality.

I saw multiple costumers question whether you were open, having the “sorry we’re closed” sign visible when you also have loads of balloons so have clearly gone to an effort which is undermined by a quick turn of a sign. I turn it around for you. It’s a very small thing to ensure as it can effect the amount of costumer who come in, especially when only 1/3 of your covers were currently occupied.

Overall impression A good, clean and relatively efficient takeaway and the manager clearly cares deeply about the success of this business. With time, training and care the staff will be able to iron out the few issues mentioned with the food. The decoration and overall experience was good and there is an also a tap to wash your hands which is very good practice (something you do not see often). The burger (main attraction) was Satisfactory/Good and could be massively improved with a few tweaks such as less sauce and a more pink patty but the fundamentals of a great burger were there. The loaded fries leaves much to be desired especially at full price.

All the best with your takeaway, it is clear that you care deeply about making this work and...

Amazing Burgers at Salt and Smash, Reading with a Great Promo!

We recently ordered from Salt and Smash Burgers in Reading, and it was an absolutely fantastic experience! Not only were the burgers top-notch, but we also got an incredible 50% off our meal deal thanks to a marketing promo, making the whole experience even better.

Whooper (Beef): The Whooper was an absolute standout. The beef patty was juicy, perfectly seasoned, and cooked just right. The fresh toppings of lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles perfectly complemented the smoky, char-grilled flavor of the beef. The bun was soft yet sturdy, holding everything together beautifully, and the sauce added a delicious tang. This was definitely one of the best beef burgers I’ve had in a long time.

Big Clucker (Chicken): The Big Clucker did not disappoint either. The crispy chicken fillet had the perfect crunch, while still being juicy and tender inside. The light, flavorful coating was balanced perfectly with the fresh lettuce and a tangy sauce that added a nice kick without being too spicy. The portion size was generous, making it a filling and satisfying choice.

The Club Burger (Chicken): For something lighter, we opted for The Club Burger, which was equally delicious. The grilled chicken was tender and perfectly cooked, with fresh lettuce and tomato adding a crisp texture. The sauce was creamy without being too heavy, making this burger a refreshing and flavorful option for those who prefer a lighter chicken sandwich.

The Promo and Overall Experience: What made our experience even better was the 50% off meal deal promo. The discount made the already excellent meal an absolute steal, offering incredible value for money. Despite the discount, the quality of the food was exceptional, and we were impressed by the care put into each burger. The portion sizes were generous, and everything was well-packaged and arrived hot and fresh.

The overall experience at Salt and Smash Burgers was outstanding. The attention to detail, high-quality ingredients, and great flavors, paired with the fantastic promo, made for a perfect meal. Whether you’re a beef lover or prefer chicken, they have something for everyone, and the 50% off made it all the more enjoyable. We can’t wait to order from them again and explore more of their menu. Highly...

I had an awful experience at this burger shop. First off, the service was incredibly slow – I had to wait almost 30 minutes for my order, and the staff seemed completely uninterested in helping or acknowledging customers. When I finally got my burger, it was cold, overcooked, and looked nothing like what was advertised. To make matters worse, the workers were rude and seemed annoyed when I asked about the delay. Completely unprofessional! I won't be returning, and I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.

No disrespect at all, but as you mentioned earlier, you said you know me well. However, I don’t have any connection there, nor do I know anyone working there. So, I don’t understand how you claim to know me.

If you’re open to reviews, you should be willing to accept the truth rather than taking it personally. Why are you reacting this way? Is there something going on ? I had ordered food from there multiple times, but it’s not the same as before. During my recent visit for dining, I didn’t even feel it was hygienic. If you need any proof of the unhygienic conditions I experienced, I will share it with you. However, I am not posting it here because this is a public platform,I respect that and kindly ask everyone to be considerate of others. I am maintaining my decency, and I hope you all will do the same.

Wishing you all the best for your...