Cathy is penning today's issue of mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog. She isn't busy. Kirk is busy. ed(from Yuma) is busy. Vicky is busy.
Hi, The other day, The Mister and I were driving along aimlessly and saw Smashburger, underneath Joe's Crab Shack. We decided to stop.
Smashburger is a nationwide franchise (but not that there is one owner per location, if you read the franchising criteria on the website) and has three locations in San Diego County- Mission Valley, La Jolla and Del Mar. Decor and motto are simple. "smash. sizzle. savor."
The menu is fairly small with choices of burgers, chicken, hot dogs and salads, which expand by size of burger (1/3 lb or 1/2 lb), grilled or crispy chicken, 4 choices of buns, multiple toppings, add ons and seven sides (which cost $1 less if ordered with a sandwich). 
You walk up, order, pay, get a number, fill a beverage container and find a table. Food is brought out in nifty metal baskets. 
On our first visit, The Mister chose a 1/2 lb All American Smashburger ($5.99). This comes with American cheese, ketchup, mustard, onion (omitted) and pickles on an egg bun. We all (should) know that smashing down a cooking burger makes it lose juice, and therefore flavor. The meat (fresh, never frozen) here is smashed and seasoned as it goes onto the grill, not after it has cooked on one side. It is juicy. It is also Angus beef. Very flavorful. 
I chose the Classic Smashchicken ($5.99) (crispy). Not greasy, not overly breaded. The chicken meat was very juicy and well flavored. This sandwich comes with lettuce, tomato, pickle and mayo on a multi-grain bun. 
Here is a photo of the sandwich buns (multi-grain and egg). Both buns were lightly toasted and had flavor.
We shared a Smashside of Haystack Onions ($1.99, because we had ordered a sandwich-$2.99 if ordered alone). Lightly breaded. Lightly fried. Very tasty.
On the bottom of the receipt, there was a survey, which gave us a code for a free smashside on our next visit. I also signed up for the smashclub, which sent me an email for a free self serve float.
They only use Haagen-Daz ice cream here. Vanilla for the self serve fountain float, also chocolate or strawberry if you want a milkshake. There is no root beer at the fountain (you can purchase bottled root beer for $1 more). 
Or try it with Coca Cola, which I haven't had in an ocean of time. This was really nice, especially in the frosted mug…
This visit, we tried the Sunset Smashsalad with grilled chicken (this is a large, ($6.99) the same bowl filled halfway with half as much chicken breast is $4.99). A full chicken breast, lightly grilled and very juicy on top of garden greens (there is spinach in there) with tomatoes, raisins, cranberries, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, blue cheese and a balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
OK. This is what it looks like under the chicken…oh that Smashside…
VeggieFrites ($3.99 or $2.99 with a sandwich order). Oh. My. Flash fried carrots, green beans and asparagus. Served with a ranch dipping sauce. So. Darn. Good. Maybe even healthy…
I decided to make a "Create Your Own" burger, (only 1/3 pound) ($4.99)(really) with my own choice of cheese (blue), toppings (lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, grilled onion)Smashsauce (ketchp/mustard/mayo/relish/lemon juice) on a choice of bun (torta)..PLUS
for an additional 99¢, I added on a fried egg. This burger was juicy, perfec…
Well, the torta bun was slightly torn. Yet toasted and soft and fresh. Fresh breads tear…
This is not just another burger joint. It isn't just fast food. They do serve beer and wine. The food is good. Really good. Smashfries (regular and sweet potato) are made with olive oil, garlic and rosemary. OH WAIT.
Fried pickles. Wonderful, salty, lightly crusted. A really nice side. A really fun, tasty, almost too much side… ($2.99 or $1.99 with a sandwich).
OK. If you are near a location try it. Really nice. Really good. A nice place for a lunch. Or a dinner date. Or a dinner without a date.
Smashburger 7610 Hazard Center Road San Diego 92115 (SE corner of Friars and 163) website