Budapest is far removed from the global capitals of burgerdom, so if you grew up eating In-N-Out Double Doubles or ShackBurgers, you may feel underwhelmed by the local offerings. But a couple of local burger joints have recently mastered the art of burger-making and the results are nothing short of impressive.
I am usually suspicious of restaurants that unabashedly capitalize on current fashion: places that copy what is trending in the US and Western Europe without much of a local context or sense of place. I am also not convinced this is a great business model as the wheel of trends turns faster and faster.
This is to say, I had reasons to be skeptical about Smashy, a burger takeout in Budapest’s city center specializing in smashed burgers (the English-only menu adds insult to injury). Smashed burgers, which became popular in the US about a decade ago, feature flattened patties that enable a greater surface area of the meat to turn nicely crunchy.
But there’s no other way to put it: the burgers are shockingly delicious. A juicy and crisp beef patty layered with melted cheese and a bit of a house sauce, enclosed by a squishy bun. It rivals any burger I have had in America, including those at Shake Shack. Price: the equivalent of €5. Expect a line at all times of day. (2025 April update: smashy opened its first international location, on New York City's Union Square.)
