Get ready Loveland, there is a new burger in town.  SMASHBURGER I was fortunate to be the guest of Smashburger’s founder Tom Ryan and his great staff today.  Tom and the local franchisers hosted us a day before Loveland’s Smashburger restaurant opens. A good crowd got to sample some of the delicious food that Smashburgers has to offer.

I must confess that I have never been to a Smashburgers, even though there is one in Fort Collins. Tom Ryan said the company is four years old, and has 17 outlets in the state.  In addition to the one in the Fort, there are is also a Smashburger in  Colorado Sprins, Grand Junction, and some in the Denver metro area.  Ryan does not rule out the possiblity of more to come on Greeley and another location in Fort Collins in the future.

The “smash” in a Smashburger comes from the fact that the cook puts most of his weight on a 1/3 or 1/2 pound fresh (never frozen) lump of Angus beef.  It was impressive to see a demo of this, and then get to taste a piece of the burger right after it is quickly cooked.  So good!

I had an American burger but was tempted to try the Colorado burger (with mild green chilis, cheddar and pepper jack cheese, all on a chipolte bun.   I added haystack onions to mine as my side but sampled the  sampled the smashfries with rosemary, garlic and onion, thanks to my impromptu dining partners .(Rob Smith, Coach Sean McCarthy and his wife, and Russell Fruits from Grimm Bros)

The veggine frites are fun too.  Flash fried carrots and asparagus is a healthy side item they offer.

Check the Smashburger menu for many other items including a black bean burger, hot dogs, salads and much more.  I have to end by noting that they have shakes, made with Hagen-Dazs ice cream, too.  The shakes come in the standard vanilla, chocolate and strawberry but they have some surprising ones too.  The ones made with Butterfinger candy bars or Nutter Butters are something I will try again.

So, I have a new favorite burger place in Loveland.  Go by starting tomorrow and try it for yourself.  Loveland Smashburger is located on east Eisenhower (where Earle’s Flowers was) across from Wal-Mart.

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