Sept. 15, 2021 By Michael Dorgan
An international fast-food chain known for its specialty burgers has opened a restaurant on 82nd Street in Elmhurst.
Smashburger – which has restaurants in Canada, Saudi Arabia, the U.K., Panama, Egypt and Costa Rica – opened Wednesday inside a new development at 40-35 82nd St.
The Elmhurst location is the company’s first in Queens and its sixth in New York City. The chain operates three restaurants in Brooklyn and two in the Bronx. It has more than 230 restaurants worldwide in total.
The company has moved into a 2,100 square foot space that seats 60 people. The interior features artwork of the city’s skyline while the restaurant provides free Wi-Fi for customers and USB charging stations, according to a company spokesperson.
Smashburger, which was established in Colorado in 2007, makes its burger patties by rolling ground beef into balls and then “smashing” down on them on the grill using a hand-held presser. The company says this gives the patties more taste as they sear in the beef’s juices when cooking.
The patties are then placed between artisan buns and stuffed with fillings such as cheese, lettuce and tomatoes.
The Elmhurst restaurant is now serving the company’s most popular burgers including the smoked bacon brisket burger, the classic smash burger and the avocado bacon club burger.
The restaurant is also grilling a range of chicken sandwiches and turkey burgers. It also offers fresh salads and side items like Brussels sprouts and fries. Sodas and milkshakes made with Häagen-Dazs ice cream are also on the menu while the eatery offers a separate breakfast menu.
Carl Bachmann, president of Smashburger, said the company is bringing quality burgers to the neighborhood.
“We look forward to… making Smashburger a part of the community to not only serve a mouthwatering burger but also [a] delicious breakfast offering,” Bachmann said in a statement. “A little of everything for everyone.”
The new eatery is putting on a number of special offers to mark the opening.
For instance, customers can purchase a single classic smash burger with regular fries for $5 on Sept. 15. Bacon burgers will be on offer for $5 each on Sept. 16.
The restaurant is also offering free delivery on orders placed through Sept. 29.
Opening hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Sundays.