A Smashing Good Smash Burger in Warsaw

I’ve somehow found myself in the ‘smash burger’ stage of my life. Gone are the days of girthy, overcooked, hockey puck-sized burgers that I grew up being served after a crushing Little League defeat by whatever dejected and beaten down father was appointed to man the snack stand grill. 

Now, it’s smash burgers all day, errryday…except on occasion when I have solid intel that a burger joint specializing in thick patties is legit (I have an OG-certified spot in Warsaw I’ll be dropping soon, so make sure to follow). 

So, you can imagine my delight when I stumbled upon the Warsaw smash burger joint ‘Smashny Burger’ on my walk back from Łazienki Park just the other week. I don’t even know if there is and/or was “hype” surrounding this burger haunt. But there should be. It’s the real deal and needs its own ‘FLAVOR FLAAAAAV!!!’ to get the people excited. 

A Smash Burger so Delectable, Nigel Thornberry Would Approve

What makes a good smash burger a “great smashburger?” For starters, “the fat.” A formidable 20% fat content (not 19%, not 21% - 20%) is essential for the smash burger of your dreams. This is where the flavor is going to come from and make this bad boy sizzle once it hits the grill and takes a “smashing.” 

It also goes without saying that the burger should be liberally seasoned.

Second, “the smash” itself. A cook worth their weight in gold wields their spatula (or another smashing device) with the might of Thor, ensuring the said fat content has nowhere to run but back up through the patty. The “smash” should further consummate the marriage between the patty and onions. 

Third and finally, “the crisp.” This is the ‘Maillard Reaction’ in effect right here. The edges of a top-tier smash burger should crisp up to the point that they almost remind you of bacon bits or caramelized meat candy (thanks to the onions). 

Smashny Burger ticks all these boxes and more. There it is. In all its glory - the ‘Triple Smashed’ burger. A (manageable) meat mountain consisting of three perfectly smashed Black Angus patties, five slices of mild, slightly creamy American cheese, tangy homemade pickles, and (delicate) sweet, grilled onions. 

Smashny’s ‘Triple Smashed’ burger is true to the smash burger roots and sticks with a ketchup/mustard combo. However, you’ll find a gaggle of burger and sauce combos, including their housemade-sauce ‘Californian’ burger, BBQ and aioli ‘BBQ’ burger, and spicy mayo and mustard aioli ‘Spicy’ burger (with fresh jalapenos to boot).

I’d also be remiss not to mention how the buttery, slightly eggy, and mildly sweet brioche bun draws out the caramelized onion (and meat candy), acting as the perfect “complement” rather than main enchilada (which I’ve found often overpowers smash burgers). 

Don’t forget the onion rings. I knew Smashny takes their onion rings seriously after my first bite when I swear I could taste cornflakes in the batter. This isn’t one of those mushy, fast-food onion rings that fall apart on you. There’s a light, crisp integrity to Smashny’s onion rings that won’t have you questioning your existence and why you didn’t just play it safe with the fries. 

Finally, for a guy with the nickname ‘Big Body’ - Smashny’s ‘Triple Smashed’ combo with onion rings and a Coke Zero had me ready to be rolled out the door and put to bed. The value-to-quality ratio on this smash burger may be unparalleled in Warsaw. 

Where You Can Find Smashny Burger

Website, Address, & Details: Smashny Burger -  https://www.smashnyburger.pl/ 

• Location: Wilcza 26, 00-544 Warszawa

• Price: $ - A smash burger meal/combo with a drink will run you around 40 - 50 złoty (USD 10 - 12).  

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Eat well everyone,

Big Body