It often seems like, in this day and age (does make me sound old?), people don’t like going to chain restaurants or at least admitting that they enjoy them. Admittedly, I have quite a few chain restaurants on my list that I avoid and if you tell me you love going there, I literally have to bite my tongue so I don’t call you crazy. However, there are also some chain restaurants (or eateries) that I love: 3 warm cookies for $1 from McDonald’s on a late night can’t be beat; 2 deep-fried tacos for 99 cents at Jack in the Box is an awful, awful (but rare) indulgence of mine; if you even try to berate my In-n-Out I will cut you. I am now adding to this list: Smashburger burgers.
Now, until recently, I’d never actually had a burger at Smashburger. I’d tasted their chicken sandwiches (fried) and salads and Smashsides (not a fan of the veggie frites), but not a burger. But, thanks to Dara and the fine folks at Elle Communications, I finally got to try one at their VIP Preview Party for the Rancho Penasquitos location!
Keep reading to find out about our sneaky extra order of food…