Before I moved in with David to our college apartment in Clifton, I lived in the Loveland/ Indian Hill area with my parents. I had several part time jobs in the Mason Montgomery area, and yes, that includes working the Vortex at Kings Island, (because what kid who grew up in that area didn't do some time in an oh-so-fashionable blue polyblend polo?) and I drove through Fields Ertel several times a week.
Nowadays, I rarely venture up North, except when visiting my Dad. Driving around Mason, Westchester and Montgomery, I am usually struck by two things.
1. There is crazy development up there. What was once fields or lots are now entire massive shopping centers. Where'd that Whole Foods come from?
But there are lots of good things, despite the automotive congestion and exponentially expanding suburban sprawl. Lots of new restaurants, like Smashburger, have sprung up, and when my Dad wanted to visit one of them for his 51st birthday, I certainly wasn't going to turn him down. I did, however, ask him to drive there.
David and I each got different burgers with different sides. I chose the "Spicy Baja burger"($5.99) with guacamole, fresh jalapeños and pepper jack on a chipotle bun, and David ordered the classic ($5.99). I got the seasoned fries, and David picked the fried pepper rings.
pepper rings ehn-hance!
The burgers are thick, and rather prettily presented. I can appreciate the artful (though spicy) jalapeño arrangement. I really enjoyed the chipotle bun, and I like the fact there are several buns to choose from. The fries were nice and crispy, and the pepper rings were definitely interesting, though a little salty for us.
artful spicy arrangement
If we were up in that area again, I think we'd return to Smashburger. All the employees were friendly, food was served quickly, and the burger, especially on the chipotle bun, was tasty. I'd say it beats out Five Guys, which is quite a feat.
My husband did not love Smashburger, but I did. I highly recommend the Buckeye Burger. My fave. Is it wrong that I eat at Smashburger after discussing surgery with my Bariatric Surgeon?
ReplyDeleteWe had the pickle chips and they were salty, too. My friend said his burger was better than five guys (I couldn't remember my last FG burger so I guess it wasn't *that* great).
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize this place was there until I was walking out of another restaurant in the same trip and the sign caught my eye. I live up in this area and there is always so much going on--and new stuff--that it's easy to miss things. We live 5 guys so I will suggest to my Husband that we try out Smashburger too.
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