Batavia Smashburger embraces Chicago flavor
Like any good chain concept, Denver-based Smashburger follows two fundamental principles in its business model: good financing and expansion plans. Less obvious may be the tinge of locality to their otherwise standard menu. With a new location in Batavia and 10 more slated to open in the suburbs — including one in Bolingbrook on Wednesday, April 13, and another in Schaumburg on Wednesday, April 27 — it appears Smashburger has got the suburbs covered.
Their aim is to be “every city's favorite place for burgers,” an ambitious claim to say the least. But if you set your expectations somewhere between fast food and gourmet, Smashburger will satisfy.
At the suburb's first shop, opened in Batavia right around the end of the year, the red and black colors and window-side vinyl booths are set against high, exposed ceilings. You order at the register from a menu on the wall, and you'll get your food brought out to you in less than 10 minutes and bussed from your table when you're done. Because of that service, don't hesitate to leave a tip.
You can add sides like fresh avocado, fried pickles and the seemingly ubiquitous yet so necessary fried egg on your burger. And you can wash it down with a beer or a glass of wine — always a huge plus.
About half a dozen burgers and chicken sandwiches, including “create your own” options, are served alongside hot dogs and five entree salads.
The local nod to Chicago is in the Chi-town Polish sausage, Vienna beef sourced hot dogs and a Windy City burger: a freshly made, half-pound smashed patty that's crispy on the outside and juicy inside. It's topped with a mound of haystack onions, mustard and a sprinkle of cheddar — not quite the promised “layers and layers” but still good. The burger is book ended by a buttery, toasted pretzel bun.
A spicy Baja burger is similarly successful. Fresh jalapeños (a recurring ingredient) provide crunch as you bite into a burger given an added boost by guacamole, fresh onions, melted pepper jack cheese and chipotle mayo. It's served on a chipotle bun that's not nearly as impressive as the pretzel one.
Chicken sandwiches — like a crisply fried barbecue ranch with strips of apple wood bacon, Sweet Baby Ray's and onions on an egg bun — are satisfying in their own right.
A chili cheese dog was a Vienna beef dog split to accommodate an average beefy chili, but it boasted generous amounts of onions and jalapeños, as well as cheddar cheese.
Fries are served in four different ways. Smashfries are tossed with rosemary olive oil and garlic, as are the sweet potato ones; the latter's sweetness is balanced by the dominating fragrance of herbs. Regular French fries are another option, but there are also veggie frites: flash-fried asparagus, carrot sticks and green beans.
To finish things off, we went with the triple sweetness of a vanilla, chocolate and strawberry shake. An excellent choice, indeed.
<b>Smashburger</b>
842 N. Randall Road, Batavia, (630) 593-5030, <a href="http://www.smashburger.com" target="_blank">smashburger.com</a>
<b>Cuisine: </b>Specialized burgers and hot dogs
<b>Setting: </b>High-windowed and shiny, with comfortable booths
<b>Hours: </b>10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
<b>Entrees: </b>$3.99 to $6.99