Calgary’s beef-eating, beer-chugging populace has been given the best of both worlds – a city-slicker burger joint that puts the panache in fried pickles.
Denver restaurant chain Smashburger will be opening two restaurants, with the first May 2nd at #4 2770 32 Ave. N.E., and the second in Royal Oak in June.
Rumour has it there are 10 — 15 openings planned for Alberta in total, with each featuring a regional Alberta-inspired menu showcasing local suppliers and flavours, such as poutine Smashfries and Saskatoon berry milkshakes with Cochrane’s MacKay’s ice cream.
Smashburger?
The Colorado cooks take a 100% Angus beef meatball, place it on a buttered grill and smash it to caramelize the beef and lock in the juices. Add toppings, sauces, pack the whole thing into a Kaiser roll and feel your arteries slowly clog.
The Burgers
Besides the classic toppings, you can also dress your Angus with grilled mild green chilies; pepper jack, goat, cheddar, blue or feta cheese; applewood smoked bacon; grilled onions; avocado; fried egg; haystack onions; Dijon mayo; or garlic sautéed mushrooms. And, yes, there may vegetarians scattered across Calgary, so two black bean burgers appear on the menu for the alfalfa crowd.
The Drinks
Brews more your style than the MacKay ice cream floats and shakes? Have your choice of single bottles or bucket o’ beer (four bottles in a bucket, not a bucket full of beer), as well as wine for the more discerning Cowtownite.
The Rest
Smashburger kicks their Buffalo chicken sandwiches up a notch with spinach and goat cheese. Even the split Angus dogs are wearing high-falutin’ condiments: jalapenos, grilled chilies, fresh tomatoes and spicy chipotle sauce. As for the sides? Chi-chi truffle fries steal the show, but veggie frites, chili cheese fries and fried pickles round out the menu for those not so high on their horses. There’s even a kid’s menu.
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Image courtesy of Smashburger.
