RESTAURANT REVIEW AND #GIVEAWAY – @Smashburger, Brick, NJ

The product(s) featured in this review was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been monetarily compensated. Please note that any personal opinions reflected in this post are my own and have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Earlier this week I was given the opportunity to have dinner at a new restaurant in my town called Smashburger. Smashburger has received numerous awards including topping Fast Casual’s 2012 Top Mover & Shakers list, America’s Most Promising Company by Forbes magazine, INC. 500’s List of America’s Fastest Growing Companies INC’s #9 Hire Power Award winner, and is regularly voted “best burger’ in cities all around the world. The Smashburger here in Brick, NJ is the 221st store to open in the nation and the first here in my county. I enjoy going out, as well as burgers and trying new things, so I accepted. I’d never been to a Smashburger before so I didn’t know what to expect, as well as what the name was all about.

We went on Tuesday night, day prior to the grand opening.

We were greeted inside the clean, new store by friendly staff. Up at the counter we were given the opportunity to check out the menu and order. At Smashburger, which first opened in 2007, some items are the same from location to location, including some of the burgers and sides such as Smashfries. But some items are different. Each Smashburger contains a regional item, a burger designed to that specific geographical area’s taste. Here in the new Brick store we have a New Jersey burger. At other locations, take the Brooklyn location, they don’t have a New Jersey burger, they have a Brooklyn burger (which my location doesn’t have). Smashburger also offers Haagen-Dazs shakes.

Our group ordered

• BBQ Bacon & Cheddar Burger – BBQ sauce, applewood-smoked bacon, cheddar and haystack onions on an egg bun.
• New Jersey Burger – Applewood-smoked bacon, blue cheese, grilled onions, haystack onions, lettuce, tomato and mayo on an onion bun
• Avocado Club Burger – Fresh avocado, applewood-smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, ranch dressing and mayo on a multi-grain bun
• Chicken Strips Kids Meal

Once you’ve placed your order you’re given a sign with a number and you go find a seat.

We enjoyed chatting while waiting for our meal. There was a sign that answered the question we were all wondering. What was the name Smashburger all about anyway?

I loved hearing that the beef they smash onto the 400 degree flat grill is 100-percent—fresh, never frozen, Angus Beef.

Less then ten minutes had passed when our food was brought to our table.

The BBQ Bacon & Cheddar Burger and Avocado Club Burgers.

The New Jersey Burger and the Chicken Strips Kids Meal.

The burgers proved to be very juicy and delicious. We all agreed that they needed no extra condiments for flavor or moisture, they were fantastic as is and among the best burgers we’ve ever had. The fries were quite different and very good. They’re called Smashfries and they’re seasoned with rosemary and garlic. Of equal interest were the Haystack Onions. These come on some sandwiches or are available as a side. I hadn’t been sure if I’d like them on my burger so I got mine on the side.Which brings me to another point. Smashburger has no problems customizing your food. Everything is made fresh and you can change things up to suit your tastes.

We finished off the meal by sampling a bunch of different Haagen-Dazs shakes including Oreo, PB&J, Strawberry, and Butterfinger. We all loved them, the Oreo was my favorite by far because it was so creamy.

When we’re in the mood for a burger we’ll definitely be returning to Smashburger. We enjoyed having real burgers in a casual environment.

MORE INFO

Smashburger website

Smashburger on Facebook

Smashburger on Twitter

WIN IT!

ONE winner will receive a $25 Smashburger GC. The GC is good through 12/2014 and is valid at all Smashburger locations.

HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)

To enter visit the Smashburger site and then leave a comment on this post telling me one item from their menu that you’d like to try.

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THE SMALL PRINT.

The winner will be selected using the “And the winner is” plugin. US addresses only please, no PO Boxes. This contest will end on Saturday 08/31/13 at 11:59 pm est. If you’ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. The winner must contact me to confirm they wish to receive the prize within 24 hours of my email notifying them they’ve won. Good luck to everyone!

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS CLOSED.