Wanna Smash — Restaurant in Los Angeles

If you’re looking for an average smash burger experience that will get you in the mood, try Wanna Smash in Van Nuys.

While looking for a spot to try on National Burger Day, Wanna Smash caught my eye for obvious reasons. A burger joint themed on sexual innuendos seemed promising, but it’s important to check if the food lives up to the branding. After all, it’s not about how big your burger is, it’s how it tastes.

Location: This place is tiny. While you’re not gonna have a ton of space as a business on Van Nuys Blvd, I’m not sure why they even offer indoor seating. There are 6 stools crammed into two bench style tables, and if you really did eat with 2 people next to you it wouldn’t be comfortable. There’s some outdoor seating but it’s the same kind of crammed stool/bench seating.

Food: I got The Cowgirl because I felt like I’d been doing all the work recently.

While I think it’s a crime to serve any burger (yes, even a smash burger) without lettuce or tomato already added (the menu offers a $1 up charge for greens and other items), The Cowgirl had quality smashed patties, perfectly crisped bacon, and huge onion rings. The home made BBQ sauce was delicious, but this thing was drenched in it. It could use less. The bun was soft and fluffy, and helped keep everything together. Solid presentation.

The fries were the best part of this meal. Way more than I thought I’d get, and perfectly seasoned (not buried in chili powder like a lot of these other places like to do.) The soda was standard, but surprisingly they didn’t have ice. I also wish they had a ketchup pump instead of packets, as the paper bag and tray doesn’t really give you space to make your own pile of ketchup.

Vibe: The branding is hilarious. Every menu item is well themed, and the ingredients somehow match the vibe. It’s insane that this menu includes items like “the happy ending” but also includes a “kids cheese burger.” I guess it makes sense, since for some reason I saw two toddlers eating at this joint. Doesn’t seem like the target audience, but I guess this place makes parents not only wanna have babies, but bring ‘em along.

The award for most insane menu item name goes to the Oreo flavored Milf-shake, aptly named “snowbunny.”

All in all, this place is worth it for the experience. If you live close I’d say you should grab the food for takeout, but you can probably make do with the limited indoor and outdoor seating if you come from afar. I’ll be back here to show friends, and try some of the other unhinged menu items.

Would...

The place was pretty far from where I live. About 9 miles away. Not many seats available for dine in. Parking is street parking on a busy street with some on a side street. All inconveniences, that would typically keep me away… but I will definitely go back!

The name of the restaurant is silly but it definitely caught my eye. After looking at the menu I had a few more chuckles and decided I’ll make the drive to try this out.

The first bite made me realize how “not funny” and gimmicky all of this is. It is a serious burger and you can taste the love and passion these guys have for their product and their people. Hands down one of the top 5 burgers I’ve ever had. My wife, who used to work in the kitchen for a couple of restaurants and a hotel, typically has a comment to make whenever we eat somewhere. “It would taste better if they made it less sweet.” “Way too much salt.” “Not enough ….” After eating half her burger, she turns to me and says the bbq sauce is so good she wants to learn how to make it. She does not enjoy burgers in general. I think she enjoyed this one. She gave me one bite to taste and finished herself. It never happens with burgers. I got the quickie and she got the cowgirl. Lol I didn’t realize our choices until we got home but I guess subconsciously we ordered what we like.

One thing to note…the restaurant started to close at around 7pm. They ran out of beef. So depending on how busy they are, ymmv. They try to order enough beef for the day to keep everything fresh. They tried freezing the leftover beef once and the taste was off the next day so they simply do not do that anymore. The quality of the food is the most important thing for them. I didn’t realize the place was around for only 3 months. I think they have a “smash” hit with wanna smash.

Definitely would...

Updated review - since my first time trying the food here I became a smash burger fan. I have tried around 10 different smash burgers from different restaurants including famous like Heavy Handed and For The Win. Wanna smash is my favorite so far, soft wide bun, 2 juicy meaty patties, special sauce, yummy! Everything is so well balanced. This time burger wasnt really smashed properly but was great. Absolute worth $13 after tax. The service is quick, like 5 mins , they play modern music that doesnt distract you. Highly recommended

Upd. My second time was better. The Happy Ending was pretty good. Taste wise - this place is worth it Small tiny spot with 4 seats. Outdoor area is bigger but placed right on Van Nuys blvrd with all that noise and smell. I got Quicky burger. It tasted good but the patty was half overcooked and crunchy and tasted like you eat a meat chip. I dont know if thats supposed to be cooked like that but it was weird. The price for the burger was $13 which is on the pricey side. Mixed feelings. I ll give it another shot one day and make my...