Have you heard about the opening of Smashburger in Citrus Heights? Smashburger buzz seems to be everywhere. I’ve seen it on Twitter. I’ve been asked about it in carpool. Even my mom and her friend, Beth, are buzzing about this new burger joint. Everyone, it seems, wants to know: What is a Smashburger?
Happily, fellow foodie Vanessa Smith and I signed on for this tough assignment. Our mission? Determine just what the “smash” in Smashburger means, and be one of the first in Sacramento to experience this new fast-casual restaurant.
The concept is simple, but the execution is fresh, delicious and very now. The feel of Smashburger is part diner, part hip restaurant. The menu is well edited (burgers, dogs, fries, salads, shakes) with a bit of a southern flair thrown in (try the sweet potato fries and fried pickles). The ingredients are what set Smashburger apart: 100% fresh Angus beef, real cheeses like aged cheddar and brie, smoky applewood bacon, fresh produce, and a proprietary blend of seasonings that makes this foodie ready to go back for more.
Now for the “smash” part. You’ll be thrilled to know that we learned about this first-hand; in fact, Vanessa hit the grill and smashed her very own burger with excellent results. It involved fresh beef, a little melted butter and a free-form “smasher” that resulted in a seared burger patty that was juicy and delicious. We tried the NorCal burger, as well as the Mushroom Swiss burger, and both were delish!
Vanessa here: And, let me just say, the “smashing” shot is not my best angle, but it was a lot of fun to do and surprisingly was not an easy task. Hats off to the cooks who first have to “smash” the burgers for a count of ten, using more strength than I thought you would need to hold a burger down!
Moving on to the “sizzle.” The Smashsides offerings are where they really set themselves apart. The Veggie Frites – fresh asparagus spears, carrot sticks and green beans, lightly-seasoned and flash-fried to a warm, yet crunchy consistency – were my favorite and a great way to mix up a traditional burger and fry menu.
What can be said about “savor”? Well, everything! Maria really liked the Smashfries, lightly tossed in olive oil, rosemary and garlic. In fact, the variety of options on the menu will allow you to go light or indulge and treat yourself to the works.
For those watching the waistline, choose the classic Smashchicken sandwich on a multi-grain bun, or one of four signature salad options (we tried the Sunset, with fresh greens, dried cranberries, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, and loved it).
And, for those who choose to indulge, Smashburger uses Haagen Dazs ice cream in their milk shakes and malts, as well as root beer floats. We tried the Dulce de Leche milk shake – simply scrumptious. (They also offer beer and wine.)
For so much flavor and fresh ingredients, the price point (¼ lb. burgers start at $3.99, sides at $1.69) is a terrific value. Head over to the Citrus Heights location (5500 Sunrise Blvd. at Pebble Beach), which opens today, March 31 (hours are 10 AM to 10 PM everyday). Bring the kiddos and try the Kids Smashburger, Smashdog, chicken strips or grilled cheese.
Not in your neighborhood? No worries – there are four additional Smashburger locations planned for the Sacramento area: Folsom (mid- to late-May), Roseville (late summer) and two other locations to open in 2011.
We had a lot of fun sampling the Smashburger menu with Cakegrrl, so check out her post, too. If you need even more reasons to try Smashburger, try a NorCal Smashburger between April 10-16 and $1 will go to Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (a SacFoodies partner!). And if you’re on Twitter, tweet using the hashtag #smashburger, and you could win a free gift certificate.
Results of this SacFoodies mission: Don’t be afraid to get “smashed” – on burgers, that is!
Archives for March 2010
Yogurtagogo, Sacramento
We love our desserts and we also love a good happy hour- that’s why we couldn’t resist sharing this sweet deal before it goes on summer break.
Tomorrow, March 31st, is the last day you can enjoy the “Cool Out Hour” from 5-6 p.m. at Yogurtagogo. Squeeze all the yogurt and toppings you can fit into one of their 4oz cups for just $2!! Yogurtagogo has delicious flavors like Red Velvet Cake, Mango Tart, Strawberry, Chocolate, Vanilla, and more. And don’t forget about the toppings! Mix and match to create your own yogurt masterpiece with toppings like almonds, brownies, fresh seasonal fruits, gummy bears, coconut, chocolate chips and more. They even have gluten-free and vegan toppings.
If you can’t make it to Cool Out Hour, don’t despair because there are other ways to get your fro-yo fix. Did you know that Yogurtagogo delivers? That’s right – the photo below says it all. Got a mid-afternoon yogurt craving? Give them a call or @ reply on twitter (@yogurtagogo) and see if they’re in your area – it worked for us!
Yogurtagogo
1801 L. St. Ste. 90
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 346-4649
Petra, Sacramento
A few weeks ago, a few of the Sac Foodies opted for an out-of-office lunch and decided to try Petra, a new Greek restaurant located in the downtown Firestone complex, also home to other popular restaurants like California Pizza Kitchen, De Vere’s Irish Pub, and Sapporo Grill.
After studying Petra’s menu which included Gyros, hamburgers, salads, Souvlaki, Baklava, and more we placed our orders and waited in anticipation for the Greek goodness. I think it’s safe to say Petra met our lunchtime expectations:
Liz Conant and Brittany Mohr: “We each had a chicken gyro. You know it’s authentic when they stuff French fries into the gyro, just like in Greece! The chicken had great flavor, and the tzatziki was delicious. The only thing we would do differently next time is request an extra side of tzatziki – you can never have too much sauce. We can’t wait to visit Petra again and try more menu items – the baklava is definitely high on our list.”
Karlie Bettencourt: “I have to admit that before going to Petra, I had never tried Greek food before so I had no clue what to expect! I also ordered the chicken gyro and I was pleasantly surprised to find the French fries tucked inside. I tend to be very picky when it comes to sauces but the tzatziki was delicious. It was a great first-time Greek experience.”
Jenna Buhagiar: “I had the lamb gyro and just like Liz and Britt, also thought it was delicious. The lamb was full of flavor and the pita was the perfect combination of super soft on the inside and slightly crisp on the outside. I’d definitely recommend!”
Cecily Fuller: “A simple Greek salad with some chicken added to it was calling my name on this particular afternoon. That might sound a little “light” for any Greek restaurateurs out there, but believe me, they sure didn’t skimp on the chicken which was seasoned to perfection, putting a whole new twist on your typical Greek salad.”
Petra
1122 16th St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 443-1993
Mooney's, Folsom
As you may know, the Sac Foodies ventured out to Mooney’s in Folsom Tuesday night to support our favorite drummer, raise money for the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services and of course, try some food! Here’s what the Sac Foodies had to say about their Mooney’s experience:
Julie Berge: Joe and I ordered the nachos, which came with all the fixings – nacho cheese, tomatoes, green onion, olives, green peppers and sour cream – all atop a pile of fresh homemade tortilla chips!:
Vanessa Smith: Mooney’s California Burger: This burger definitely stacks up to the accolades it has received as the “Best Burger in Folsom,” piled high with jack cheese, crispy bacon, avocado and all the usual fixings. This burger and its side of curly fries was a sinful choice but worth every bite!
Christine Schunk: BBQ Burger – When the server brought out my meal, I was SO happy with my selection. The BBQ Burger includes a beef patty, cheddar cheese, BBQ sauce and a couple onion rings on the burger itself, and on the side. So good! The burger was a perfect combo when complimented with a nice cold Blue Moon and an evening of Jazz and friends.
Maria Chacon: My kids loved Mooney’s family-friendly food, including their tasty French fries, breaded chicken strips and a delicious cheeseburger. The servings were generous, and the price was right! Great jazz music rounded out our evening. We’re looking forward to visiting again.
Karlie Bettencourt: I love pasta so I was very excited to try Mooney’s Chicken Marsala. Let me just say that Mooney’s does not skimp on portions or quality. The chicken was juicy and the sauce was delish! The great food and laidback atmosphere, combined with the soothing tunes of jazz, made for an excellent night!
Mooney’s
312 East Bidwell Street
Folsom, CA 95630-3115
(916) 983-5500
Wordless Wednesday: Savor Sonoma Event
Savor Sonoma Event: A Visual Trip through a Day of Sonoma Food and Wine
Gumbo and Cornbread at Chateau St. Jean
Goat Cheese & Leek Tarts and Grilled Sausages at Landmark Vineyards
Two types of Paella at Imagery Estate
Inside the 23,000 square foot cave and tasting room at Deerfield Ranch
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