Smashburger — Restaurant in North Brunswick Township

I had vistied the Smash Burger in North Brunswick location. I had walked in and there were 6 guest waiting on there order. I had overheard Scott complaining about the orders that were coming in from DoorDash to the cook. Scott said " I hate this state there, so inconsiderate". Then he turned around and took my order. After he took my order I had sat down and waited for my food. Scott started to slam stuff and stated that he was so upset and his blood was boiling. Then he gave a guest that was sitting in a booth their order, and it was a to go order. The guest then opened up the bag and stayed seated, eating their food at the booth. Scott loudly said to the cook I guess to go means to eat here. Then that same guest got up and went to go get sauce. Scott looked at him and said I told you when you ordered that no one can eat after 9:30 in the restaurant very rudely. The guest apologized, and then Scott got upset and push the door so hard it made a slamming noise to the kitchen and he started talking to the cook complaining. Then there was a lady that was collecting her food and she was about to leave and she wanted barbecue sauce and she asked it very politely. Scott gave her the barbecue sauce and after she left the restaurant, he called her obnoxious all she was doing was asking for sauce. I understand the restaurant was closing at 10 PM, but to act the way he did. It was such an uncomfortable feeling being there. If I wasn't so hungry, I would've walked out. I just came from a 10 hour shift from work and I was very hungry so there wasn't many options around my area that was open. I am appauled of this employee act this way. I am a store manager and I would never hire anybody like this for an establishment. This is why customers...

"You can divide the people in the world into two basic groups", (*) a common refrain begins.

Smashburger tries to bridge the divide between basic fast-food choices and those found at casual dining establishments. The menu offers a wider selection than many burger spots, and that's where the perennial divide comes in.

In that vein, you have a place like Five Guys, that purposely has a limited menu and seeks to execute those traditional basics the best way possible. On the opposite side, we have Smashburger, seeking to differentiate themselves with endless riffs on the same basic theme - different bread styles, alternative toppings (avocado, anyone?), and sides.

I dined at Smash when the location first opened, and wasn't impressed. My own reaction surprised me enough, given the buzz, that I waited and visited again in attempt to see if it's Smashburger, or me!

The bun choices are different - but lacking (to me) compared to the traditional bun offered at the competitor. The patty is fresh, well-cooked, and a definite upgrade to that found at the Usual Suspects - but doesn't stand a chance against the Five Guys burger. The toppings? I don't need avocado on a flippin' burger, or non-conflict hummus and sprouts raised organically on classical music. The haystack onions promise something different, and are shockingly greasy (tried them on several occasions), and the fries are just woeful compared to the epic, five-star awesomeness of Five Guys' fries, cooked in fresh peanut oil, and a destination in their own right.

The service is decent, the concept is good, and for the right person, SmashBurger is probably a good bet. But for me, it's just a letdown.

(*) and yes, paper towels/toilet paper should go OVER THE TOP...

My 1st experience trying smashburger was not so great, customer service was good, no long wait,line moved swiftly. I ordered a black bean burger (Veggie burger), smash fries and a oreo shake. Cashier advised wait would be about 10 minutes, as me and 3 other customers are waiting for our order you can see that the line staff seem a bit flustered and it reflected in delay of our orders. The guy after me received his order before me, the other young man who ordered before got his order but burger was not what he ordered. I was waiting longer than i expected so once my name was called grabbed my order had to wait for my shake cause cashier must have forgot she was taking orders and making shakes. I got my order 1st mistake was I did not not check my order was in a rush. I get on my way home grab some fries which tasted great hot and fresh. Go and open up my burger and its not black bean burger, it was a beef burger with bacon, fried egg, hot peppers and some other stuff :( was extremely disappointed call back to restaurant to advise of the incorrect burger i rec'd and lady who answered apologized and asked if i wanted to come back today, advised her no i was almost home so she took my name down and date and advised i could come back and they would provide me with burger i ordered, and my oreo shake was not completely mixed properly so that was a turn off too, not sure if about this location, maybe i will give them one more try but...