Review: Smashburger

By Glen Macnow

Score: 5.0
Price: The "Classic Smash" was well priced at $5.09
Location: 550 E. Lancaster Ave., Radnor

Smashburger is yet another new entry in the fast-growing field of burger chains. It comes out of Denver, we're told, and is planning to add to the half-dozen stores already open in the Delaware Valley. As chain burgers go, we'd rank it well below Five Guys and Shake Shack, but better than Elevation Burger and Bobby Flay's Burger Palace. The prices are low, so you get what you pay for.

We also got the most unfriendly service here of any place we tried during this 40-day slog. We stopped in a nearly empty Smashburger for an early weekday lunch, and the scowling girl at the counter had all the warmth of a Russian border guard. Hey, I'm not looking for lengthy conversation, but try to act a little less like the warden in "Shawshank Redemption" the next time.

Anyway, the burger itself was . . . passable. The typical fast-food level of the beef was improved by a sweet bun, surprisingly good and tangy "Smash Sauce" and a big wedge of Bermuda onion. Tasted okay going down. We can report, however, regretting that chunk of onion several hours later.