Smashburger — Restaurant in Jefferson Township

UPDATE 3/10/2022

Well. I gave it a few months before returning as promised. And although I imagine the food has gotten better the store hasn't.

I went in. Waited. And waited. The manager barked something to an employee. Employee came to the cash register and took my order. 15-20m he said. Cool. 30m later I return to swear-laden argument between the manager and a customer ensued. This is nearly the same level of drama last time I was here (see above).

Anyway. After everyone was sufficiently sworn at, there was a cease fire. It was then the manager stops anyone else from coming in. "We're closed." And just like that no food. 45m invested. All the employees were standing, staring, videoing. Not cooking.

And I wasn't the only one. The board was red with greater than 35m wait times. And two incomplete meals on the bar.

But they were closed closed. So the staff pitched all the food. I was approached to come to the register to get my refund (minus the ambitious and premature tip). A lot of sorries, but no food.

It's a shame because they're new to the neighborhood and tonight we came in for a fundraiser. (What about the children? Oh. That was the blame for this crazy night. And an untrained, experienced staff.)

If you need a Smash burger, try a different location. We just went around the corner to a competitor. Else, bring some snacks and make sure you have more then 75% battery on your device. You never know what show will be playing.

ORIGINAL POST

Needs time to marinate.

Caveat: we went on a beautiful Friday night. Busy night. Lots of people inside and out. And it’s only been open a week or so. And I get that.

We were very excited to see this location open around the corner from home. So we tried it out. With the pandemic we were hoping to order online, pop in and then head home as we do.

However, the app wouldn’t work. To test it, I ordered one thing. It went through. Then two things. Then it went through. So I tried the rest of the order. Nothing. It just wouldn’t work anymore.

So I tried calling. No answer. So I went in.

I tried to observe the signs – 6’ apart, like the last 18 months – but that was clearly not the case and two people cut in front of me. Then a man behind me says, “Aren’t you going to say something?” What is he in about. Apparently two, vaccinated youths didn’t have their masks on. So this man decided to spend the next 10 minutes verbally assaulting these two kids. They finally put on a mask, but not to his satisfaction. Which began the verbal threats. Only then did two guys from the back came to split them up

I order. Turkey burger? We’re out okay, mushroom bean burger. I pay. Step aside. And wait. Then Angry Man orders, still yelling. Kids move to the other side of the lobby. Angry Man follows. Still yelling.

I wait. And continue to wait. Meanwhile my one orders are ready. I know this because me, along with 10 of my new friends, are stuffed against the stanchions looking at the screen and the row of bags on the counter.

I ask for my bags. Then I wait. And wait some more. Meanwhile Angry Man is somewhere else so the mood is better. I wait some more. And then finally the order is ready. I know this because I see my bag sitting there and ask for it.

Unconcerned with accuracy vs escape and solace, I take my three bags and head home. I then survey the order:

Mushroom bean burger has turned into a regular mushroom burger and a separate bean burger. (My partner doesn’t eat meat.) Both kids meals do not have the milks we ordered. My milkshake has whipped cream on it. It wasn’t supposed to. And, needless to say, the total and fries are soggy and the burgers are room temperature.

The taste? It was good actually. If it were hot I assume it would be super delicious. The Smashfries and Smashtots are a wonderful idea and we’re tasty.

I am sure we will return when they iron out the process in the first month and we will give it a second...

There is a trend, lately, of burger places determined to redefine or at least refine the wheel. A hip yet corporate aesthetic, at once cool indie yet futuristic. M Burger jumps to mind. The idea of a burger holds more value than the burger, itself, and the resulting price does not reflect the product.

Smashburger feels corporate, but tastes delicious. The prices are a little high, and the mustard is nothing fancy, but I've eaten here twice so far.

The first time, it was a double burger, tomato, avocado, bacon and mushrooms, my personal go-to. It's usually rather hard to find, but they were all for it. The fountain sodas are fresh-stocked (no stale tonic water), the fries crisp. The burger was savory, the bacon perfect, the avocado fresh. I was utterly satisfied.

The second time I went in person. We thought we were getting turkey sandwiches, which was our presumption. My partner and I received turkey burgers. They can be good, in my experience, and are usually easier on the stomach, so I was up for it. What we got surpassed expectations. I've rarely had so tasty a turkey burger. Really cooked to perfection. Maybe going with the works wasn't the best move (the pickles and mustard reminded me of Burger King) but it was overall savored. A side of their tots was excellent, I highly recommend them. Your food is cooked to order, and the time it takes to make it reflects that. It's not slow food, but don't order if you're in a hurry.

The selection is heavy fare. Shakes and beers are on offer, and I don't know if I spotted any food that wouldn't leave you feeling heavy one way or another. That's not a bad thing, per se, just know what's on offer going in. If one in your party wants something light, they are going to be left out.

The aesthetic and price are what feel fairly corporate. Theres no pretense of particular character or independence. The place is clean and spare, minimal distraction, clear lighting, floor to ceiling walls. The music isn't bad, but it does feel like the company mandated Playlist, not anything personalized. The food here is good, but its almost a factory setting. You won't stay for the ambiance.

Smashburger is perhaps best enjoyed as takeout, delivered or picked up, when you want something heavy and indulgent. It sat easy in the gut and satisfied hunger quite well. The price was the higher end of reasonable. I'll be back, but not to...

Never been blatantly ignored while trying to order food, but I guess there's a first for everything!

7:50pm, Saturday (4/19/22), my wife and I entered into the restaurant, decided on what we wanted to order, and proceeded to the registers. There was no line, and five other parties seated who were already seated and eating their food. My wife chit-chatted about what we were planning to order, when one minute turned into the next, and the next, until eventually six or seven minutes passed by with us awkwardly waiting by the registers, until a chef from the kitchen meekly walked up to an older female worker who was presumably prepping orders at the side counter and said something along the lines of "I think they've been waiting, can you take their order?" while pointing our direction. Shout out to this young man who tried to do the right thing/customer service, but in response, the worker at the side counter replied sharply "I CAN'T, I have to keep going", while scrolling through a phone. Of course, we heard everything, and seeing her continue to scroll through her device (possibly reviewing online orders? Didn't see any other cars outside with people waiting for food) after eyeing us and deciding NOT to take our order, we left and drove a few miles away to get Shake Shack instead, who were able to take our order promptly despite a line of 10+, and multiple online orders/GrubHub orders in constant flow. Sadly, I used to patronize this Smashburger location since their opening and have always enjoyed the food, but this left such a sour taste in my mouth that I'll be going to Chipotle a few doors down if I'm ever in a jam in this area and need food quick. (If I'm not there to get Jollibee of course! Which ironically owns...