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SmashBurger South Tampa- it's complicated

-3 Snaps! Try it. You might like it.
Smashburger Classic Smash burger
The Classic Smash burger with smash sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and garlic pickles.
Smash fires from Msashburger
I wondered how yet another burger place could possibly bring anything new to the food scene. Smashburger is a premium burger house that adds some flair by providing considerably more options in a build-your-own- burger format. They opened a new store recently in South Tampa. They've taken "Have it your way" to a new level. Smashburger's base patties include beef, chicken, turkey, and black bean ( a non-vegan patty containing cheese and eggs). Custom toppings like spinach, cucumber, and avocado are more upscale than a typical fast food place. Choice of buns include their standard issue egg bun, multigrain, spicy Chipotle, and gluten-free as an option as well. Top it off with a broad selection of cheese including bleu, goat, pepper jack and cheddar, along with standard condiments and it's a pretty tasty, albeit complicated for some, burger. That's a lot of choices.

I order the Classic Smash, a single patty which includes smash sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and garlic pickles. The burger itself has a perfect beefy flavor, and the toppings are crisp and fresh. When I order they do not ask me about bun options and serve it with the standard egg bun which is too soft and sweet for my tastes. For a small upcharge I get Smashfries, french fries covered with Smash Sauce comprised of rosemary, Italian olive oil, and garlic. I don't really taste any of the rosemary or garlic and am not sure what the fuss is about. The burger, fries, and a soft drink are a little over $10, fairly high for a fast food burger place, but in range compared to other 
premium burger spots. Visually it's surprising because the actual it looks like it does in their promos, unlike the McDonald versions that are wrapped in paper and flattened when delivered.
Their prices are a little better than Five Guys burgers which is across Dale Mabry from this location ($15 for cheese burger, fries, and drink). Another difference at Smashburger is that customers order at the counter but food is delivered to their table.
It's called Smashburger because the patties start out as a loosely packed meatball which is then seasoned in house with melted sweet butter and an imported olive oil blend, and then smashed for exactly 10 seconds with a custom "smasher"  to sear in the flavor. 
Smashburger is unique in that it allows eaters to craft their own burgers, fries and sides till their heart's content. SB also offer kids meals, shakes made with 
Häagen-Dazs® ice cream, and fresh salads as well. But given all of the options I wonder if this place or has gone too far. Four different types of buns, four different types of burger patties, and a whole host cheeses and toppings makes for hundreds of combinations. It took the people in front of me literally six minutes of discussing choices with the cashier to figure out what they wanted. Smashburger is not for the indecisive. Settle down and order people. It's a hamburger. ​
With each burger being custom made it can be a few minutes before your order is served. The staff is friendly, the interior bright, and there's adequate outdoor seating. Frankly, with all of the other premium burger places in town including the Burger Monger, Square 1, BurgerFi, and Goody-Goody, this place just isn't unique.
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Chip Weiner is a Tampa food blogger and an award winning freelance photographer specializing in portraiture, food photography and photojournalism . He has been a photography instructor for over 10 years and teaches Tampa photography classes throughout the year.  Have a suggestion for a food event or restaurant? Contact him here

For information on  photography classes and workshops, feel free to call me or look under the Tampa Photography Classes section of my website. Photo 101 is by far the most popular!  I also give private individual lessons on camera operation and making better photographs and would love to work with you one on one to make you a better photographer. Photography instruction gift certificates are also available. They make great gifts for the photo enthusiast in your life. Let's talk about what you need! 813-786-7780. See you in class!

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