My Smashburger creation, yum!
Max and I recently went to the opening of a new burger joint in the Royal Oaks neighborhood of Calgary. It's been a little over a week and he is still talking about going back to Smashburger!
This morning he was pretending to drive a truck to Smashburger. I think he was hoping for another pinata full of candy and maybe another face-painting! Obviously, Smashburger made a great impression on him. I'm not a burger person normally but this burger made a great impression on me too. My Junior Smash with Aged Cheddar, Avocado and Haystack Onions was scrumptious!
Even without all the great opening activities, I think he will enjoy going back to Smashburger. They do have fantastic burgers and milkshakes after all, what kid (or adult) could resist that?
This morning he was pretending to drive a truck to Smashburger. I think he was hoping for another pinata full of candy and maybe another face-painting! Obviously, Smashburger made a great impression on him. I'm not a burger person normally but this burger made a great impression on me too. My Junior Smash with Aged Cheddar, Avocado and Haystack Onions was scrumptious!
Even without all the great opening activities, I think he will enjoy going back to Smashburger. They do have fantastic burgers and milkshakes after all, what kid (or adult) could resist that?
What You Should Know About Smashburger
If you haven't yet heard of Smashburger, allow me to break down the facts for you.
1. Smashburger is America's fastest growing, fast-casual "Better Burger" restaurant and is branching into Canada with their first two locations in Calgary.
2. The burgers at Smashburger are made with fresh, never frozen, 100% Certified Angus Beef. They are smashed, seared and seasoned on the grill and cooked to order!
3. Each burger is your own creation.
4. Non-burger options include:
1. Smashburger is America's fastest growing, fast-casual "Better Burger" restaurant and is branching into Canada with their first two locations in Calgary.
2. The burgers at Smashburger are made with fresh, never frozen, 100% Certified Angus Beef. They are smashed, seared and seasoned on the grill and cooked to order!
3. Each burger is your own creation.
- 4 sizes of burgers
- 4 types of Artisan Buns
- 16 choices of free sauces and toppings
- 6 cheeses
- 8 premium add ons (including my favorite, the haystack onions)
4. Non-burger options include:
- Chicken, grilled or crispy
- 4 salads
- Hot Dogs
- Veggie Burger
- 4 Kids Meals
- 11 sides (including a traditional poutine and a mushroom poutine that are exclusive to the Calgary locations)
- Milkshakes and floats made with MacKay's ice cream
Smashburger's Stampede Burger Battle
In honour of the grand opening of their Royal Oak location, Smashburger asked some of the city's most prominent food bloggers to compete in a Stampede Burger Battle. Dan Clapson, of Dan's Good Side, came prepared with a fighter's stance. Gwendolyn Richards, of Patent & the Pantry, brought notes that she had prepared the night before. Gabriel Hall, of Le Voyage Gourmand, brought his confident and very royal wave (and a t-shirt that said 'I take food and emergencies very seriously!'). Julie Van Rosendaal, of Dinner With Julie, brought her ringer (her cute and capable son) who brought serious contemplation skills to the table. Last but not least, Pierre Lamielle, of Kitchen Scraps and Food On Your Shirt, brought a seriously sexy knife!
Dan Clapson Smashburger Opening Photo Credit Adam Peariso
Julie Van Rosendaal Smashburger Opening Photo Credit Adam Peariso
| 
Gwendolyn Richards Smashburger Opening Photo by Misty Hamel
They brought their games faces and had two minutes to create a burger that would win them a trophy and city-wide foodie bragging rights. The crowd was on the edge of their seats as sauces were swirled, aoli's mixed, ingredients chopped, and one by one each contestant raised their hands in the air signalling completion. All but two. The countdown started and Dan and Pierre raced to finish, adding their last touches as time was called! Phew! | 
Gabriel Hall Smashburger Opening Photo Credit Adam Peariso
Pierre Lamielle Smashburger Opening Photo Credit Misty Hamel
|
Sound exciting? It was! See for yourself in the video below and I would recommend watching 'W', the youngest competitor, as he carefully creates "The Bull"!
How The Contestants Described Their Burgers
Dan Clapson
Burger Name: South West Zeus
Description: Burger with a 'Greek Goat's Cheese Salad' on top, monetary jack, Dijon ranch aioli, matchstick onions, deep-fried pickles, served with fries and a balsamic Dijon mustard dipping sauce.
Gwendolyn Richards
Burger Name: The Triple G (Gwendolyn’s Gorgeous Guacamole burger)
Description: Beef burger on egg bun with chipotle mayo, lots of guacamole, bacon, lettuce, tomato and haystack onions.
Gabe Hall
Burger Name: The 2 a.m. Burger
Description: Chipotle bun, chipotle sauce, raw onions, caramelized onions, jalapenos, haystack onion, rosemary fries, cheddar cheese and chilli.
'W' aka Julie Van Rosendaal's Ringer
2nd Place Winner of Smashburger's Stampede Burger Battle
Burger Name: The Bull
Description: 1 pickle, 1 cucumber, cheddar, spinach, tomato, garlic mushrooms, jalapeno, aged swiss, lettuce, 2 french fries, Smash sauce, BBQ sauce, more cheddar.
Pierre Lamielle
1st Place Winner of Smashburger's Stampede Burger Battle
Burger Name: Chili Cheeseburger Fries
Description: Basically it is a burger cut into long strips piled high with cheese, deep fried pickles, and gobs of sloppy chili and crispy fried onions. It has so much salt, it can only be described as sodi-yum!
Burger Name: South West Zeus
Description: Burger with a 'Greek Goat's Cheese Salad' on top, monetary jack, Dijon ranch aioli, matchstick onions, deep-fried pickles, served with fries and a balsamic Dijon mustard dipping sauce.
Gwendolyn Richards
Burger Name: The Triple G (Gwendolyn’s Gorgeous Guacamole burger)
Description: Beef burger on egg bun with chipotle mayo, lots of guacamole, bacon, lettuce, tomato and haystack onions.
Gabe Hall
Burger Name: The 2 a.m. Burger
Description: Chipotle bun, chipotle sauce, raw onions, caramelized onions, jalapenos, haystack onion, rosemary fries, cheddar cheese and chilli.
'W' aka Julie Van Rosendaal's Ringer
2nd Place Winner of Smashburger's Stampede Burger Battle
Burger Name: The Bull
Description: 1 pickle, 1 cucumber, cheddar, spinach, tomato, garlic mushrooms, jalapeno, aged swiss, lettuce, 2 french fries, Smash sauce, BBQ sauce, more cheddar.
Pierre Lamielle
1st Place Winner of Smashburger's Stampede Burger Battle
Burger Name: Chili Cheeseburger Fries
Description: Basically it is a burger cut into long strips piled high with cheese, deep fried pickles, and gobs of sloppy chili and crispy fried onions. It has so much salt, it can only be described as sodi-yum!
Calgary's Food Writers present the Stampede Burger Battle. Smashburger Opening Photo Credit Adam Peariso
Pierre Lamielle Smashburger Opening Photo Credit Adam Peariso
| 
Pierra Lamielle's Winning Creation. Smashburger Opening Photo Credit Adam Peariso
|
So, what do you think? Feel like putting together a winning creation of your own? Check out Smashburger for a location near you and go do it! Tweet me a picture and description and I'll give you a shout out on Twitter!
Speaking of Twitter, you should follow all the great people mentioned in this post.
Pierre Lamielle @KitchenScraps
Julie Van Rosendaal @dinnerwithjulie
Gabriel Hall @voyagegourmand
Gwendolyn Richards @gwendolynmr
Dan Clapson @dansgoodside
The photographer who took the fantastic photos at the event:
Adam Peariso @Adamski
Life Capture Studios
Lifecapture.ca
The t-shirts worn by Gabriel Hall and Pierre Lamielle can be purchased at Food On Your Shirt. Tweet them @foodonyourshirt if you liked the t-shirts seen here!
This wonderful event was coordinated by Robyn Maclean of Brookline Public Relations. Max and I would both like to say "Great job!"
Now go eat a burger!
Speaking of Twitter, you should follow all the great people mentioned in this post.
Pierre Lamielle @KitchenScraps
Julie Van Rosendaal @dinnerwithjulie
Gabriel Hall @voyagegourmand
Gwendolyn Richards @gwendolynmr
Dan Clapson @dansgoodside
The photographer who took the fantastic photos at the event:
Adam Peariso @Adamski
Life Capture Studios
Lifecapture.ca
The t-shirts worn by Gabriel Hall and Pierre Lamielle can be purchased at Food On Your Shirt. Tweet them @foodonyourshirt if you liked the t-shirts seen here!
This wonderful event was coordinated by Robyn Maclean of Brookline Public Relations. Max and I would both like to say "Great job!"
Now go eat a burger!
