663077 Wed Oct 28 13:37:42 -0700 2009 23 3 California 0 5138172 This just in, has anyone tried Smashburger? Guess they are a chain out of Denver. Smashburger, Smash Bros LLC Open Seven Locations Over Two Years SAN DIEGO--(Business Wire)-- Smashburger, a fast-casual `better burger` restaurant has partnered with Smash Bros LLC. Smash Bros LLC-a non-traditional retail and commercial development firm that grows brands with solid operations and unique market positions-is the partner company of Elkins-Whisenhunt, Inc. Smash Bros LLC will bring seven Smashburgers to San Diego over two years. Named for the cooking method used to create the perfect burger, Smashburgers start with a one-third or half-pound of 100-percent fresh Angus beef smashed, seared and seasoned on a grill. Served on a butter-toasted artisan bun and topped with real cheeses, the freshest produce and top-quality condiments. The restaurant also serves delicious Smashchicken, Smashdogs and Smashsalads, with sides like veggie frites and rosemary and garlic-seasoned Smashfries. Diners can enjoy Häagen-Dazs shakes, root beer floats, beer and wine. "Smashburger is thrilled to bring `better burgers` to San Diego," says Smashburger President Scott Crane. "My group looks forward to bringing these incredible burgers to our hometown, San Diego," says David Whisenhunt, co-founder of Elkins-Whisenhunt. Whisenhunt has worked with Starbucks, Quiznos, and Jamba Juice. Wed Oct 28 13:37:42 -0700 2009 12980 stevuchan 1 5138405 "Smashing" a burger patty while it is on the grill or griddle forces the natural juices out of the meat resulting in a dry burger, right? Am I missing something here? Wed Oct 28 14:58:15 -0700 2009 5138172 19084 Captain Jack 2 5138426 Presumably, they smash the raw meat onto the grill.....not when it is cooking, so no loss of any juices. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gVfTLqLASc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6tU8I3Zif8&feature=related Wed Oct 28 15:05:30 -0700 2009 5138405 123497 fourunder 3 5142907 So I watched the videos and checked out the website. What a marketing machine/scheme they have in place. The whole "smash" concept looks iffy to me. Guess ill just have to give them the benefit of the doubt, and try one when they open. The prices sure aint cheap for a fast food burger though $4.99 for the basic. In-N-Out cheesburgers at $1.99 will be something they must overcome. Fri Oct 30 09:09:03 -0700 2009 5138426 19084 Captain Jack 1 5138640 The influx of burger joints in san diego during the down economy is just like the influx of steakhouses in san diego during the up economy. Relentless. Wed Oct 28 16:16:03 -0700 2009 5138172 155341 stevewag23 2 5138686 Are there really that many burger places opening up? I know we've seen a few of the slightly upscale / grass fed beef places start up, but I don't think we've seen too many semi-upscale fast food burger places move in. Their menu makes it sound like they are in the Fuddrucker's / Fatburger price range - above the In-N-Outs, but below the Red Robin / Islands. I wonder if they've already identified a few locations. Wed Oct 28 16:32:55 -0700 2009 5138640 10969 RB Hound 3 5138752 Do we really need any fast food burger places ? Wed Oct 28 16:51:31 -0700 2009 5138686 13239 honkman 3 5138907 I've been to Smashburger recently in Houston. They make a very good burger. It's not even in the same league as a fast food burger. For being a chain, it's a great burger. You won't get that hand-crafted element though like you would at an independent place. Wed Oct 28 17:49:09 -0700 2009 5138686 98654 psychotron 3 5139005 Yes. It seems like more than half of the new places opening up are burger joints. The rest being taco shops. Wed Oct 28 18:37:05 -0700 2009 5138686 155341 stevewag23 4 5140292 there should be a taco shop on every corner, like coffee shops! Thu Oct 29 09:39:28 -0700 2009 5139005 91897 MrKrispy 5 5141637 I hope S.D. can avoid the Five Guys plague. They have totally infested the Chicagoland area Thu Oct 29 17:33:53 -0700 2009 5140292 18059 hoppy2468 6 5141677 I think they are coming to Coronado first. Do you not like it? Thu Oct 29 17:57:04 -0700 2009 5141637 155341 stevewag23 7 5141777 No. It is a very expensive for a chainbarely average burger. You do get a ton of fries. I ordered a bacon cheeseburger that had no bacon. How do you screw THAT up? Went to the counter and told them,expecting a brand new burger. I had to return to my table and return to the counter with said burger to PROVE that it was baconless. I still believe that they think I ate the bacon first and then tried to rip them off for more. After consulting with the manager, they gave me some bacon wrapped in aluminium foil. By now the burger is stone cold and I should of checked further because they left the onions off too. Didn't complain further because I figured they would just dump some onions in my hand. I will never go back. Thu Oct 29 18:46:42 -0700 2009 5141677 18059 hoppy2468 8 5141876 The good thing hoppy is that they have In-N-Out to deal with out here. If they plague us with the experience you had, they will never make it. Thu Oct 29 19:23:20 -0700 2009 5141777 19084 Captain Jack 9 5144015 Just to clarify, hoppy, are you talking about "Five Guys", or are you talking about Smashburger? I get the impression you were talking about Five Guys, but I could be wrong. $5 is an interesting price point. I do not think they are competing with truly fast food or with the gourmet burger places. I think they are competing with Fuddrucker's and Fatburger. And on a local level, they are *right* at the Hodad's price point. Hmmmm... Fri Oct 30 16:00:36 -0700 2009 5141876 10969 RB Hound 8 5142201 Where did this go down? "It is a very expensive for a chainbarely average burger." Isn't it 5 bucks? I thought it was kind of cool. I went there in miami beach. it was open till 3 am. Met a model girl from latvia there. So my experience could have been skewed. Fri Oct 30 01:41:30 -0700 2009 5141777 155341 stevewag23 9 5143129 "Isn't it 5 bucks?" - That's expensive for an average chainburger Fri Oct 30 10:19:40 -0700 2009 5142201 13239 honkman 8 5142435 Ah yes, a congealed bacon cheese burger...mmmmm my fav. You can get that at Mickey D's for a buck. Fri Oct 30 06:21:28 -0700 2009 5141777 149836 cstr 8 5143040 Wow, what poor customer service Fri Oct 30 09:54:42 -0700 2009 5141777 10506 DiningDiva 7 5143808 FYI, Five Guys is on Coronado, but it's on the Navy base, so not really accessible to most of the public. Fri Oct 30 14:20:57 -0700 2009 5141677 149239 juantanamera 5 5163080 I love how there are so many that chowhound automatically found and inserted "Coffee Shop" and "Taco Shop". Have they run out of original names? Sat Nov 07 07:28:54 -0800 2009 5140292 181707 royaljester 1 5149684 Smashburger, a Denver-based fast-casual restaurant, and commercial developer Smash Bros. LLC said Oct. 28 they plan to open seven Smashburger locations in San Diego within the next two years. “Burgers are the rightplay for this market,” said principal David Whisenhunt, who has worked with Starbucks, Quiznos and Jamba Juice. http://www.sdbj.com/article.asp?aID=53811359.01865602.1845935.1511475.6814263.118&aID2=141986 Mon Nov 02 12:20:08 -0800 2009 5138172 155341 stevewag23 2 5151126 oh,i dont like to eat burger,but you write it so delicious! Mon Nov 02 21:36:16 -0800 2009 5149684 170499 kiiess 1 5164434 Sounds like the George Foreman burgers I make at home Sat Nov 07 21:19:59 -0800 2009 5138172 38195 marko711