Best Smash Burger in Van/Port
Smash burgers have become uber polular. But some are more smash than others. Legit ones will have lacy edges full of savory flavor. Here’s the best smash burgers in VanPort.
1. Tulip Shop Tavern
Portland – North
We’ve tried a lot of smash burgers but Tulip is the best example of a smash patty in VanPort. we like the Double-Double (no relation) with bacon, jalapenos and grilled onions. The edges are thin, crispy and delicious. Some smash burgers have a bit of this but Tulip is the poster boy for smash burgers. The toppings plus the lacy edged smash patties combine forces to create a fantastic hand-held epicenter of deliciousness. Their fries are just ok. The onion rings are good but the burger is so filling only those with a ravenous appetite will need them. The prices all around are very reasonable. BAR: Tulip has an excellent bar stocked with superb base spirits, mixers and liqueurs. The mixologists take pride in their work and serve really savvy cocktails. VIBE: It’s a no reservation, seat yourself place. It can get really busy on the weekend and the kitchen can be an hour wait. Also on the weekend the music is very fast, lots of attitude and a bit loud. Street parking is a bit challenging. INSIDER TIP: Patty melt Monday-only special. ✌🏼
2. Monster Smash Burgers
Portland – Central
Monster Smash Burgers is on some of the notable lists of best burgers in the Van/Port area, including Oregon Live and EATER. The Universal Monster movie decor is nostogic fun. This cart might be playful in its theme but they’re dead serious about their burgers. Not much to choose from for toppings though. Only cheese, pickles and sauce. It’s all about the smash patties and the bun. Both are exceptional. The cart is behind Belmont Station, so there’s beer and seating available. If you’re a smash burger purest, this is the joint for you.
3. Gorilla Burger
Vancouver- Central
Gorilla Grill is a speakeasy for cheeseburgers. It’s hidden inside a Shell gas station. On face value it’s a bit suspect. You’d never know they serve one of the best burgers in the area. OH MY! It’s delicious and gorilla size. We have no idea how many calories it is, but we’re pretty sure it approaches or perhaps exceed the FDA standard of calories for daily consumption. Spicy fans should add jalapenos and grilled onions. Every visit is not created equal. We think it depends who’s on the grill. The joint is take out only and there’s just one table with a sign saying it’s only for staff. That’s odd but the burger is fantastic.
4. MidCity SmashedBurger
Portland – Central
Oregon Live says MidCity SmashedBurger is the #1 smash burger in Portland. We ordered their burger of the month: The Jala Atcha Boi. 2 patties, bacon, pepper jack, pickled jalapenos, lettuce and tomato. It was really good. Is it the best? Tulip Shop Tavern still has the crown in our book. Nevertheless it’s a great burger.
5. SmackTown Burgers & Wings
Vancouver – Central
This eatery is highly unusual for a mall. The owner/operator is a passionate chef creating inspired food. His cheeseburgers aren’t fast food. Each one is made to order. If he’s there you’ll get a sensation burger. If not, it’s luck of the draw. INSIDER TIP: Ask about the Special. It’s always epic.
6. Gossip in the Grain Taphouse
Vancouver – East
A neighborhood bar with a casual, friendly, blue collar vibe. Their food menu is very limited but the star players are their smash burgers. They have few toppings or options. It’s all about the patty which is well seasoned and is delicious. Their Gossip Smash burger ($10) has two 2.5 oz lacy edged smash patties with two slices of cheddar pickles and Gossip sauce. We like the Oklahoma which is a Gossip burger with onions. We’re not sure what Oklahoma has to do with onions but it tastes fab. The fried cheese curds are on point and addicting. Gossip in the Grain uses the Digital Pour system so you can geek out on what’s on tap and other info. Gossip has 28 beers, ales and ciders so you’ll most likely find one to your liking. Gossip is in the Safeway parking lot next door to Felony Pizza. They don’t have a website but there’s a Facebook page but there’s not much info. It seems more like a word of mouth local joint. But it’s a relaxing place to stop for one of the best smash burgers and a cold one at a reasonable price on the way home or while shopping at Safeway.
7. The Cravory
Vancouver – East
The Cravory is a cart at Oak Tree Station. They make an excellent smash burger. It comes with two 2.5 oz (.15 lb) patties and American cheese. I add lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, jalapenos, bacon and awesome sauce. FINE POINTS: The patties are pretty small. Together they equal point .30 lb. That’s slightly larger than a quarter pound patty but smaller than a 1/3 lb. But you can add an extra patty for $1.75. The bacon cost a dollar. The gilled onions cost .25¢ but the jalapenos were free! All in all, for the same price I can go to Killer and have your meal brought to you with a better vibe.
8. Smashed Cheese
Vancouver – Minnehaha
The Smashed Cheese is a food truck that serves cheeseburgers and grilled cheese sandwiches. These handhelds are hearty and taste very good. They offer a good variety of toppings, allowing you to customize your sandwich. The Smashed Cheese flies south for the winter—not really—but they close shop and the truck leaves during the winter months. Free parking is available in the lot where they park.
9. McMenamins
Both – Various
As of this writing, McMenamins now has two fantastic smash burgers only at happy hour for excellent prices: 1) Smash Hit Burger with French Onion seasoned beef patties, American cheese, lettuce, pickles and secret sauce. 2) Sgt. Pepper’s Smash Burger with ranchero-spiced beef patties, American cheese, pickled jalapenos, lettuce and peppercorn ranch. These two really should be available all day, but it gives more incentive to visit during happy hour. INSIDER TIP: These burgers are à la carte. Adding fries or tots almost doubles the cost. If you’re super hungry maybe just order two burgers.
10. Goon Burger
Vancouver – Downtown
Goon doesn’t have their own restaurant. They have a symbiotic arrangment with Irrelevant Beer. Goon has their own kitchen, with a window into the dining area. Unfortunately, the window is only for pickup. You can only order from a tablet. There aren’t many options and there’s no bacon. The Goon sauce is tasty and compliments the other ingredients well. We think bacon and some peppers would considerably elevated this handheld. The customer service might be non-existent but Goon is an excellent smash burger.
11. Shake Shack Fishers Landing
Both – Various
Shake makes a good burger, but their customer experience and price are their achilleas heel. The kiosk agenda, online ordering disabled at times, no menu at the counter and staff that avoid human contact are not great. As a side note, Shake’s website won’t let you read what’s on a burger unless you’re placing an order. If online ordering is shut off ….you’re out of luck. But the smash burger is one of the best from a chain.
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