Speaking of In-n-Out...

Some unidentified burger jokesters played an April Fool's Day prank on us all. It was rumored that the famed California-based burger spot, In-n-Out, where all the celebs go after their Oscar win, would be coming to the NY metro area this summer! Apparently, this is false and the Cal-burger will not be making an appearance on our coast anytime soon. Mean, guys. Just plain mean.

Smashburger smashes into NJ!

This is not a review, but a newsflash!! Due in part to Lent & in part to my other obligations recently, I have yet to visit & judge this new tempting hot spot, but be sure that the review will be coming your way soon!

Smashburger is a "better burger" chain based out of the state of Colorado. The first NJ location opened in December in Montclair. The grand opening occurred in January & the press has been more than complimentary!

Get Smashed?

The name of the chain comes from the way the main product is prepared. You can order either a 1/3 or 1/2 pound patty made from 100% Angus beef. The loosely formed patty is covered with a sheet of wax paper and then SMASHED against a hot griddle with a 10-pound, custom-made hamburger press. The combination of the wax paper & hamburger press sear the meat and lock in the flavor and juices. Mmmm. The same method is used for their signature chicken sandwiches. There is no worry for undercooked poultry here with their pounded-thin chicken breast.

A Bite of the Better Burger

Smashburger is attempting to capitalize on the ever-growing "better burger" industry. This market has already been tapped by Five Guys, Bobby's Burger Palace, In-n-Out, Johnny Rockets, and more. Especially in the burger-loving state of NJ, this slice on the $100 billion burger industry is thriving. Although better burger sales account for only $500 million of the total burger industry, this is nothing to sneeze at. Better burger customers are those who have graduated past fast-food, fake-food and have some extra cash to burn on their meals. It's clear to Smashburger that these types of people aren't going anywhere soon because their second NJ location is already arriving this June to Florham Park & they have plans to break ground in 7 more lucky cities in the Garden State this year.

Location, Location

I've read up on Smashburger and one of the things I'm already loving about it, even before trying it, is their willingness to research the market of a new location and do something with that research. Before opening its doors in Montclair, Smashburger found out what it is that NJ-ers love and live on. What are the local flavors? SB came up with some tasty options:

1) the NJ Diner salad: Romaine & iceberg lettuce, applewood smoked bacon, diced tomatoes, crumbled blue cheese, topped with 2 fried eggs, haystack onions, and blue cheese dressing

2) the Italian Hot Dog: with sauteed onions & peppers... Fuggggedaboutit!!

3) Sweet Potato Fries: the only location of all FORTY-THREE to include this tasty side on the menu

Here's a link to the exclusive NJ menu!
I love that they try to fit in & become a local fave. I'm gonna welcome them to the neighborhood soon, so definitely look out for the upcoming review!

Smashburger is open everyday from 10am to 10pm.

15 Bloomfield Ave
Montclair, New Jersey 07042
973.433.7343

Back to the Burger Buzz

Well, fancy meeting you here also. It's been way, way too long since I've burger blogged. I'm not an excuse-giving kind of girl, BUT I do just want to apologize for keeping you all out of the loop & if you know me, you know I've been busy launching my new baking company, Engonoula. Burgers aren't my only passion- I'm a foodie through and through and cookies & cupcakes are a giant part of that passion, as well. (see my review of yummy NY spot, Burgers & Cupcakes) So, to all my loyal readers, check out my Facebook page for my brand-spanking new company and you'll see why I've been MIA  for so long. Hope you like it! We're here to discuss the burger, though, so let's get to it.

I chose an interesting time to dive back into my burger blogging considering today is Holy Thursday. No burger consumption has been taking place in my body this week, nor any Wednesday or Friday since "Clean Monday." I've found a couple new burger joints that I'm yearning to check out, but alas, they can wait until April 5th.

As an Eastern Orthodox, our expectations for Lent are still relatively strict. I found some info on the practice of Lent that's pretty interesting.

"In current Western societies the practice is considerably relaxed, though in the Eastern Orthodox Churches abstinence from all animal products including fish, eggs, fowl and milk sourced from animals (e.g. goats and cows as opposed to the milk of soy beans and coconuts) is still commonly practiced, meaning only vegetarian meals are consumed in many Eastern countries for the entire fifty-five days of their Lent. In the Roman Catholic Church it is traditional to abstain from meat from mammals and fowl on Ash Wednesday and every Friday for the duration of Lent, although dairy products are still permitted."

 Mmmmm...anyone down for a juicy veggie burger topped with gooey coconut-milk cheese? 55 days isn't so bad.