Into the smashed burger scene in Dhaka
Smashed burgers, a recent addition to our local food scene, are gaining popularity with burger joints offering their own takes on the crispy, caramelised patties.
Though smashed burgers first appeared around 60 years ago, their arrival in our local culinary scene only happened a few months ago. The concept was originally introduced by Dairy Cheer restaurant in Kentucky in the mid-20th century, as a practical solution to stretch limited beef supplies and serve large numbers of people quickly during tough economic times.
Today, smashing burgers goes beyond practicality—it's a technique used intentionally to enhance flavour. The flattened patties provide a larger surface area, perfect for absorbing toppings and achieving that signature crispy, caramelised crust, making smashed burgers a favorite for many. In fact, some people prefer them over traditional beef cheeseburgers.
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Numerous burger joints offering smashed burgers have emerged in the city recently, sparking a lot of excitement. The Business Standard took the opportunity to explore these new spots and see what the buzz is all about.
Smashed Burgers
Smashed Burgers proudly claims the title of Dhaka's first dedicated smashed burger joint, launching in November 2023.
Their menu is thoughtfully divided into three categories: the Beef Series, the Chicken Series, and their standout Monster Series.
During our visit, we sampled the All American BBQ Beef Burger (Tk459) from the Beef Series, the Hell-Fire Chicken Burger (Tk349) from the Chicken Series, and The Monster (Tk899) from the Monster Series.
The Classic Beef Cheese Burger and Hell-Fire Chicken Burger both delivered a satisfying experience. Each featured a substantial smashed patty at the centre, complemented by jalapeño toppings, bacon, and cheese.
Both burgers had a gourmet, slightly salty flavour, perfectly cooked without any unnecessary sauce overload. The edges of the patties were quite crispy. If you're feeling indulgent, you can add an extra patty to any burger for an additional cost.
However, The Monster burger, a towering creation with five to six patties, fell short of expectations. It was difficult to bite into, the patties were overly salty, and the flavours didn't quite come together in harmony. The hefty price tag of it felt unjustified.
On the upside, the sides offered excellent value for money. The Short Fries (Tk149) and Onion Rings (Tk220) were generously portioned, easily enough to share between two people.
Slaw Dhaka
Slaw Dhaka, a cloud kitchen burger joint operating out of the Baridhara Diplomatic Zone, has quickly made a name for itself since its mid-2023 launch, becoming a buzzworthy name in the city's smashed burger scene.
You can order their burgers from Foodpanda or from their page directly. We ordered their Truffle Shuffle (Tk600) and Loud Crispy Onion Burger (Tk480) as Foodpanda identified them as "hot items" at the time.
Our experience with these burgers couldn't have been more different.
The Truffle Shuffle, though priced at a gourmet level, lived up to expectations with its taste and quality. It featured a single smashed beef patty, melted cheddar cheese, caramelised onions, sautéed mushrooms, and a decadent truffle sauce. The sweetness of the handmade brioche bun provided a perfect counterbalance to the savory flavours.
On the other hand, the Loud Crispy Onion Burger was a letdown. The onion rings, which should have been the highlight, were chewy instead of crispy, likely losing their texture during delivery.
Perhaps the experience would have been better if eaten fresh from the kitchen, but that wasn't possible. Additionally, the sauce, reminiscent of local sweet chili, was far too sweet for a burger, and the sweetness of the bun only worsened the overall flavour.
Given its nearly Tk500 price tag, this burger fell far short of expectations.
Takeout
Joining the hype, Takeout, one of the most popular burger joints in the city, also introduced smashed burgers in their menu recently.
At a price of Tk385, the smashed burger is a definite win. While the size of the burger isn't particularly large, it feels justifiable given the price.
The beef patty is smashed to perfection, with just the right amount of char around the edges. The burger's stuffing includes grilled mushrooms, caramelized onions, sliced cheese, and jalapeños, creating a flavourful combination. Overall, the burger lives up to Takeout's reputation while bringing something new to the table.
