Few gastronomic trends are more established than the sophistication of fast food products, and smash burger is one of the clearest examples. It is literally smashing the meat out of the hamburger until it is as thin and crispy as possible. The higher point of contact with the heat creates a crust that, according to smashing devotees, enhances the flavor.
1. La Prensa
At La Prensa they flatten the meats so much that they are almost the thickness of a sheet of paper. Danilo “Smasher” was an engineer, but he made such good homemade hamburgers that his friends insisted that he start a restaurant, and so La Prensa was born.
Their commitment to smash burgers is such that they even have a chicken version which, like the rest, has two 70 g pressed meats. One of the keys to the success of their best-selling cheeseburgers is that they make the cheese themselves. It also adds that their beer menu is almost as long as the burgers, and there are both tap and craft beers.
€€€€€
Calle de Colón, 3 (Malasaña); Paseo del Gral. Martínez Campos, 11 (Almagro) and Sagasta Street, 12 (downtown).
2. Burgerjazz
Burgerjazz has only been in business for three years, but they were among the first to specialize in smash burgers, and although they were born as a delivery service, they already have 8 locations. Their burgers are manageable, with juicy old beef that feels like butter. In addition, you can add a very gourmet extra: Formaje’s artisan Pitchfork Cheddar cheese, which makes them even tastier.
€€€€€
📍 Various locations.
3. Pink’s
The idea that they may be out of stock fuels the desire to try them, as in fashion, gives them exclusivity. At Pink’s they make 100 smash burgers per shift, and when they run out, the place closes. The success of their business model has led them to multiply their locations and expand outside the M30, although not all of them have tables to eat there.
Two curiosities: they have hamburger bread gluten free and they sell the house beer, no other brand.
€€€€€
📍 Various locations.
4. Pacific
Simplicity and concreteness is the key to Pacifico’s burgers. They have only three types of hamburgers: the classic and the pacific, plus a vegan option. Its meat is so smash that it stays crispy as if it were bacon. The place is more intended for delivery than for eating there, there are few places to sit and the seats are stacked Coca-Cola boxes. They make their own lemonade and iced tea, a plus, especially if you don’t like carbonated drinks.
€€€€€
📍 Calle del Conde de Xiquena, 2 (Salesas)
5. Milwaukee
Coming from the place where burgers are the national dish is playing with an edge. This burger restaurant is owned by a group of friends from Milwaukee and Wisconsin who decided to bring the smash burger recipe with butter and sauce from these American cities to Madrid. The trip has been a success, so much so that it has won the third prize for Best Burger Delivery 2023 and opened a third location in the capital. The pickle topping every burger and the Yankee-style shakes are their trademark.
€€€€€
📍 Av. América, 33 (La Guindalera) and Manuela Malasaña, 9 (Malasaña) and soon in Narváez, 26 (Ibiza)
6. BPD Smash
BDP took the reverse route to many restaurants, first opening in Coslada and then expanding to the capital. With their most classic burgers, they won the award for the best burger in Madrid at the end of 2022, awarded by Showdown Madrid. Now they have launched smash burgers with two locations specializing in this burger format with pressed meat.
€€€€€
plaza del Mar Caribe, 4 (Coslada) and Calle de las Infantas, 32 (Chueca).