Smashburger — Restaurant in Denver

Traveling through Denver International Airport can be hectic, but my recent stop at Smashburger at DIA was an absolute highlight of my trip. Not because of the location or the convenience (although those are great), but because of Carlos – hands down the best server and bartender I have ever had the pleasure of being helped by.

From the moment I sat down, Carlos radiated the kind of energy you don’t often find at an airport restaurant. He welcomed every single guest with a genuine smile, sharp attentiveness, and a professional confidence that made the entire atmosphere better. Airports are usually places where people are rushed, stressed, and exhausted, yet Carlos has this uncanny ability to turn that around. He greets you like a friend, remembers small details, and provides the kind of service that makes you feel like you’re in a high-end restaurant instead of just grabbing food between flights.

What impressed me most was how well he managed the balance of being quick and efficient while never making anyone feel rushed. He had the bar packed with travelers ordering food and drinks, and yet every single person seemed to get the same level of attention and care. That’s a rare gift. His multitasking was on another level – mixing drinks, handling food orders, chatting with guests, and still somehow making each of us feel like we were his top priority.

On top of that, the food was fantastic. Smashburger’s signature burgers were cooked perfectly, hot and fresh even during the busy lunch rush. The fries were crispy, the portions generous, and the drinks well-crafted. But honestly, the food could have been average, and I’d still be giving this place five stars because of Carlos. He elevated the whole experience. When a server takes pride in their work and genuinely enjoys connecting with people, it changes everything.

I’ve traveled through dozens of airports and eaten at countless restaurants and bars along the way, but I can honestly say that Carlos is the best server/bartender I’ve ever witnessed. He embodies hospitality. You can tell he loves what he does, and he makes people feel welcome during what is often the most stressful part of travel. That kind of energy is contagious – you see it ripple out across the bar, with strangers striking up conversations and the whole vibe shifting to something positive and enjoyable.

If DIA management ever wonders why people keep coming back to Smashburger instead of the dozens of other food options in the terminal, the answer is simple: it’s Carlos. Employees like him are priceless. He is the definition of going above and beyond, and he turned what could have been a forgettable airport meal into one of the most memorable parts of my trip.

Next time I’m flying through Denver, I won’t even look at the other dining options – I’ll head straight to Smashburger to see if Carlos is working. If you’re lucky enough to get him as your server or bartender, you’re in for an amazing experience.

Five stars all the way – for the food, the atmosphere, and...

What a joke this place is. At 630am it was the only breakfast option close to my gate. Luckily there was no line when I ordered, then quickly about 20 people behind me.

The man at the register seemed so lost and confused, you'd think he couldn't figure out how to dress himself in the morning. Placing my order and handing him my card was line trying to solve a rubix cube for him. He was also very short with everyone in line and spoke in an abrasive manor.

As I waited a cruicially long time for my food, I watched him simply just wander off and walk in circles back in the kitchen looking completely dazed and lost, just leaving his post at the register while there was a line.

About 12 minutes later my food was placed on the window. The lady in the kitchen called it out for him to hand it to me. He stared at it, paused, seemed very puzzled, grabbed an empty container for coffee and then proceeded to go back coffee in the back. It would've taken a second to hand me my food.

When he finally came back out, he handed me my order and I ran to my gate. Everything was cold, dry and flavorless. Jack in the Box or McDonald's would've been leagues above better.

Why do places feel the need to add a tip option in places like this. Do you deserve a tip being a fast food cashier? It's very hard to justify it. I'm hesitant to tip at a fast food register even if I have a decent experience. But service and incompetence like this especially, it's a joke to think you should get a tip out at the end of your day. Go apply at Chili's or Fridays if...

We moved away from our home state of Colorado a few years ago and we have no Smash Burger anywhere near where we live. Had a quick layover in Denver tonight and were so super excited to find there was a location in the airport and close to our gate. My absolute favorite burger for many years has been the Colorado burger. We were so disappointed when we were told that burger is no longer an option. Thought that was interesting because we have found that burger in other locations in other states when traveling. After the initial let down we decided to order different burgers because we’ve never had a bad experience with quality at a Smash Burger. We sat at the bar and the bartender/server Ignacio was not very personable or friendly, came across as impatient and was very preoccupied with closing duties even though we sat down 2 hours before closing. Our burgers arrived with one looking delicious, the patty cooked medium but the other arrived with a very small patty (noticeably smaller) cooked very well done. We requested smash fries but received regular fries and no one ever checked in with us after dropping our...