A thin patty pressed hard onto a hot griddle for a lacy crust, stacked with American cheese, the post-pandemic burger style Santa Monica took to Main Street.
Where to eat it: 2 restaurants across 1 city.
The smashed patty came out of American griddle culture and swept LA during the pandemic pop-up era; Heavy Handed started as one of those pop-ups before opening on Main Street in Santa Monica, smashing short-rib-blend patties, frying in beef tallow and finishing with Straus soft serve. The style is now the city's default casual burger.
Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy
Tip from the editors. Smash once, immediately, and never again; pressing later squeezes out the juice you built the crust to keep.
Heavy Handed smashes short-rib-blend patties on Main Street in Santa Monica, beef tallow fries and Straus soft serve from a pandemic pop-up made good.
Try: Short-rib smashburger
Tip: Double smash with American cheese, fries in tallow, soft serve after; the line moves faster than it looks.
HiHo Cheeseburger griddles 100 percent grass-fed wagyu from First Light Farm on 2nd Street in Santa Monica, a classic double for fast-casual money.
Try: Wagyu cheeseburgers
Tip: The mustard-grilled double with onions is the order; it is counter service, so grab a booth before you order.
More cities are in research. Want the smashburger covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.