Smashburger Opens Today in Citrus Heights! "Meat" Your Burger Match!!

Attention specialty burger fans, the first Smashburger opens up today in Sacramento (in Citrus Heights near Sunrise Mall). It's your chance to step up to the counter and order one of six unique burgers on the menu, create your own burger, try one of three hot dogs, or even one of four salads.



Smashburgers start with a one-quarter, one-third or half-pound ball of 100-percent Angus beef—fresh, never frozen, seared and seasoned on a flat grill. Served on butter-toasted artisan buns and topped with a selection of real cheeses, Smashburgers feature the freshest produce and top-quality condiments.

A full menu is available here.



Menu boards next to the counter.




At a Smashburger, you order what you would like to eat at the counter, then you get a number and pick a table. There is a beverage stand for your drinks with free refills. Once your order is ready, someone brings it out to you and will check back in to make sure everything is to your liking.


I was lucky enough yesterday to "meat" haha (sorry, had to use the bad pun AGAIN), the General Manager, get a tour of the kitchen, and sample some of the smashing!! food.



Here's a shot of the fairly small production area where all the burgers hit the grill.




Here are all the bun types used: Egg, sourdough, chipotle, and multigrain.


The chipotle bun used in the Baja burger. The bun alone has spices baked in and packs a lot of heat!


Here is where the weighed meat is stored before grilling. It is packed in different compartments according to weight: 1/4 lb, 1/3 lb, 1/2 lb. Depends how hungry you are!



This is the burger "smasher" used to press the burger on the grill and sear in the flavor!


Here is the burger being "smashed" and cooked to 165°, which is ten degrees hotter than the ServSafe standard of 155° for ground beef.



Once it is seared, seasoning is added and it is put on the other end of the grill.


Appropriate toppings are added. We tested a NorCal burger assembly during our kitchen tour.



Here's a shot of all the burger fixings and the salad components.



I sat with two of the Sac Foodies (Vanessa & Maria), and here's a shot of everything we ordered to try. I will break each item down one by one below:



This is the Sunset Smashsalad comprised of grilled chicken, balsamic-marinated tomatoes, raisins, cranberries, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, blue cheese crumbles, romaine & argula lettuce, spinach, and balsamic vinaigrette dressing. I love the berry and blue cheese combo. All the salads at Smashburger come in a big red bowl and are fairly large portions. They are a nice alternative if you don't want a burger, but the people you are dining with do.


I ordered the grilled cheese because I am REALLY into grilled cheese right now. This sandwich was great, only I think I would order a different cheese next time. It comes with American cheese.



This is the Chicago Dog: 100% Angus beef on a poppy seed bun, served with yellow mustard, tomatoes, pickles, sport peppers, sweet relish, and onions. Loved that poppy seed bun. The item on the side are the veggie frites. It comes with carrot, asparagus, green beans, and a ranch dipping sauce.


This was my favorite burger of all the sandwiches we tried. The swiss and the mushrooms were such a winning combination. The fries on the side are special because they are tossed in a rosemary, olive oil, and garlic. It's really a nice departure from normal fries.



Here is the NorCal Smashburger: Brie cheese, applewood smoked bacon, balsamic-marinated tomatoes, grilled onions, lettuce, and mayo on a sourdough bun. I liked the brie cheese addition, but thought bacon was a little overpowering. I think it would be the best burger on the menu without it, even though I love bacon.

Smashburger also offers milkshakes made with Haagen Dazs ice cream: Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, and Dulce de Leche.

The kids menu features a kids Smashburger, chicken strips, a kids Smashdog, and grilled cheese.

Beer and wine are available, beer by the bottle and a house red or white wine by the glass.

This just in:
Smashburger is going to partner with Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services (SFBFS) to assist area residents in need.

From April 10-16, 2010 Smashburger in Citrus Heights, 5500 Sunrise Blvd., will donate $1 from each sale of its new NorCal Smashburger to SFBFS to support the organization’s mission to help area residents in need.

“The Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services provides a wonderful service to the Sacramento area and Smashburger is happy to be able to provide an additional fundraising opportunity for the organization,” says Joint Venture Partner and Smashburger Senior Vice President of Franchising, Doug Branigan. “This is a great way for the community to come out and support a local non-profit in our area and try something new in the process.”

“Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services is excited to partner with Smashburger for this week-long fundraising event,” says Kelly Siefkin Communication and Development Director, SFBFS. “The Sacramento area is in need of our services now more than ever. We appreciate this type of involvement with a new business in our region, and we also appreciate the support from the Sacramento public.”


Smashburger opens today at 5500 Sunrise Blvd at Pebble Beach Drive. You can follow them on twitter here. If you're an active twitter user, you can reply to them with the hashtag #Smashburger for a chance to win a Smashburger gift certificate!