Yesterday I got in a debate with @k00b about whether smash burgers are better than traditional burgers.
My argument is that smash burgers often just taste like burnt, flattened ground beef. They usually have less flavor, juiciness, and less substance meaning more vegetables than a proper “traditional burger.”
I also understand why some restaurants love them. They can use less beef, cook them faster, and still charge around the same price as a regular burger.
What do you think, stackers? Am I seeing this clearly, too much a lover of the 90’s or have we all fallen for the smash burger psyop?
See my burger pic here: #1527535
Yes46.2%
No46.2%
Let me explain…7.7%
13 votes \ poll ended
You haven't had my smash burgers
1/3rd lb of beef that actually fits as a sandwich and doesn't turn into a meatball
They hold more seasoning, more maillard reaction, and increased sear surface makes for more juiciness not less
ok Justin you have my attention, but i need a picture to verify this, also i am willing to a taste test challenge at @TabConf if @tidwell agrees to this
just checked my reel and its mostly bad burgers I've had on the road commiserating with the wife with how I just want a home burger
Found a few though
This one is on a home-made bagel
Biggest lifehack of all time are the back side of grill grates and a grill press
ya i would eat this, this looks like a regular burger that first one looks tasty
1/3rd pounders so you dont go razer thin, just enough to get it bun sized, chains tend to only ship 1/4 pound patties... sometimes 8th
and only do it once, not after flip
learned this in germany at burgermeister of all places
meat goes on the griddle as a ball, then you grill press it down into shape... not as pre-formed patties
beef autism among my many tisms
wow, so it sounds like maybe i have had some terrible smash burgers 🤣
Last time I tried to travel with grilling supplies I got hung up by TSA for smuggling a bomb, seasoning tested positive for salt peter and confiscated
Had to spend 2 months at wolf dorm without it 😭
WOW
🤣 thats hilarious you tried sneaking this onboard a flight
Knew the seasoning was good, didn't know it was so good the government would detain me
i believe it
Why would you smash a burger?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maillard_reaction
It's the same reason we don't boil all of our meat. Cooking can provide flavor or not. Smashing, by causing more browning, provides more flavor.
I do like a good sear so maybe I should try it.
you haven't had a smash burger? for some reason that surprises me
We usually bbq burgers at home.
ya I think initially I fell into the trap of believing this was a good thing, but then realized it was a cost saving/more revenue thing places were doing, also I have never been to someone house asking me if I wanted a smash burger for dinner, most people at home make regular trad burgers
flat
earthburger truthersmash burgers are harder to make
I will report back once I try one.
yes please do, so we can get to the bottom of this @grayruby im surprised more people aren't talking about all the great beef out there that are getting smashed
Also would love to hear @jimmysong take on this, I know he is a big fan of beef.
Depends on what you're in the mood for. Smash burgers have the virtue of being very fast to cook, having as much of the delicious Mailliard reaction per weight of beef. This adds up if you have many such patties and the taste on them is pretty incredible, especially with the melted cheese that they usually go with.
On the other hand a traditional burger has more the elements of a nice steak with the softness in the middle if done to a medium rare. You can't get that on a smash burger, obviously.
They're both good. I am a bit partial to smash burgers right now, though, because I just had a 7-patty burger that was outstanding.
Can you still get 7x7 burgers at Steak & Shake?
where are you going in austin to find a great smash burger? also this explains so much
I prefer a trad burger myself
have you had a smash burger @SimpleStacker ? curious as to why you prefer trad burgers?
Yep, i've had smash burgers. I like 'em too, but in the tradeoff between warm juicy soft center and crispy exterior, I'd rather have more of the former... especially if it's cooked just right.
Arguing with you about anything is like arguing with someone that enjoys slamming their hand in car doors.
I'm like "don't!" And you're like, "it feels great what's wrong with you?!" Me: "you're hurting your hand" You: "no, you're hurting your hand!"
lol so frustrating. Matrix 4 for life.
i honestly dont consider this arguing but a healthy debate
also in good fun k00b, to check out there who else sees it this way as well, can't be the only one who thinks smash burgers are not as good as a traditional burger
Yeah all good. I'm smiling while I'm writing these replies. I am frustrated by your slander of smashburgers but that's about it.
haha, thats good, one thing you did convince me of is maybe that coke and fries are adding to the overall enjoyment of the burger, which i never considered till today, now i kinda want to raw dog a burger
I'm mostly indifferent.
My wife has a strong preference for trad burgers.
She found the smash burgers we've had too greasy, or too burnt at the edges.
Granted, the few times we tried them were all in different Euro countries, so might be a case of them being unable to make better ones because reasons.
It took them years to finally offer decent trad burgers after all.
oh interesting, i see the same thing in Texas
I just don't see the point, because you can definatly taste when a patty has been frozen and its been smashed, the taste is even worse
we have a place locally that does this and they have terrible smash burgers, they have good chips and queso, but kinda wish they just go back to trad burgers because they were the best frozen burger with queso that i knew of
I still have yet to know what a smash burger is someone said it’s a burger made with cheese whizz so I got turned off
Burgers you've told me are better than any smashburger ever:
I wonder if you'd feel the same way about these burgers if you got them without fries and coke - the way I eat them.
Good points but El Camino is the best burger in town hands down
P Terrys is the best fast food burger at a great price
You still haven't listed any great smash burgers or a picture of one
The only smash burger I ever had that was good was at Pubkey in nyc,
Price is distinct from best. Volume of food is also distinct from best. I agree P Terry's is fine for the price.
Burger Bar is competitive among smashburgers like El Camino is competitive among steakhouse-style burgers; ie not the best but consistently good. NADC is also pretty good (although I don't like their bun - they use brioche instead of a potato bun). I've been meaning to try JABS but haven't yet.
Ya so after looking at those pictures realizing these are both burnt, but the thickness is there, i just don't see the point of squeezing out all the sweet juices from a wagyu cow, i wouldnt even do that to a normal cow
Seems like a good time to let people know you also suffer from an illness that causes you to prefer top sirloin over ribeye.
You prefer a soggy previously frozen flavorless burgers - especially if they avoid browning the meat. Congrats.
ya and you agree to people smashing good quality beef in the name of science 🤣
Maybe im old school but I still prefer a classic burger. Nothing beats a thick juicy patty!
What the fuck is a trad burger