Win Lunch or Dinner at Smashburger (Update: We Have Winners)

All photos by Laine Doss

The All American Smashburger

Smashburger, the relatively new burger chain to open in Miami, may not be a name on everyone's lips, but the company is aiming to change that.

The chain of fast-casual restaurants features fresh 100% certified Angus beef that starts out as a meatball, of all things. The ball, which comes in three different sizes (small, regular, and big), is then smashed down onto the flat top griddle, which takes a surprising amount of body strength.

The result is a flatter burger that's charred on the outside, juicy on the inside. On a recent trip to the burger restaurant, we noticed that each burger's temperature was taken in three places, ensuring even cooking.

Smashburgers come in every conceivable flavor profile and topping combo. Starting with a CYO (create your own) burger ($4.29 to $5.29), guests are given a choice of bun (egg, multi-grain, Cuban roll, spicy chipotle, or lettuce), then can choose from nearly 20 toppings like cucumbers, spinach, and grilled onions. Cheese is $.70 extra and choices include America, blue, goat, cheddar, Swiss, and pepper jack.

Miami burger

Can't make up your mind? The Miami locations offer seven custom burgers like the All-American with (you guessed it) American cheese, ketchup, mustard, onions, and pickles ($4.99 to $5.99), and the mushroom Swiss ($4.99 to $5.99). There's even a Miami burger, the fast-casual chain's take on a classic frita with grilled Spanish chorizo, frita potatoes, Swiss, and chipotle mayo on a Cuban roll ($5.99 to $6.99).

In addition to burgers, the restaurant offers chicken sandwiches, both grilled and fried. The chicken, like the burgers, are smashed to a thin cutlet while on the grill.

Veggie frites at Smashburger.

Side include sweet potato fries ($2.29), haystack onions ($1.99), and fried pickles ($2.29). One way to get kids (or stubborn grownups) to eat their greens is by ordering the veggie frites, which are flash-fried carrots and green beans ($2.99), lightly dusted with salt.

There are two Smashburger locations in Miami-Dade, in Miami (14730 Biscayne Boulevard) and in Kendall, at the Kendall Mall (9019 SW 107th Avenue).

If you want to try Smashburger for yourself, Short Order is giving away two $20 gift certificates (which is more than enough to cover lunch or dinner for two).

To enter to win, just become a fan of Short Order on Facebook. Then "comment" on what your favorite burger toppings are. We'll choose two of our favorite answers tomorrow at noon and announce the winners.

Update: Congrats to Armando Hernandez and Ann-Marie Wood who made us very hungry. They're the winners of our Smashburger giveaway. More swag coming soon!

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