SMASHED NYC: New York City Smash Burger Restaurant
SMASHED NYC is a New York City–based smash burger restaurant founded in 2020, known for its crispy-edged burgers, high-quality ingredients, and fast-casual dining experience. The brand operates multiple locations across Manhattan and Brooklyn.
At a Glance
Founded: 2020
Founder: Mark Mendaros
Locations: 4 across NYC (East Village, West Village, Union Square, Dumbo)
Known for: crispy-edge smash burgers, chicken sandwiches, proprietary sauces
As seen in: The Infatuation, The New Yorker, Time Out Market, and more…
Social Media: @smashednyc (200K+ followers on Instagram and TikTok combined)
From Fine Dining to Smash Burgers
SMASHED NYC is a New York City–based smash burger restaurant founded in 2020 by Mark Mendaros. Known for its crispy-edge smash burgers, high-quality ingredients, and signature sauces, SMASHED NYC has grown into one of the city’s recognizable destinations for smash burgers, with multiple locations across Manhattan and Brooklyn.
After closing his French-American bistro in the Lower East Side during the pandemic, Mark shifted from fine dining to something more raw, fast, and deeply satisfying—burgers done right.
He later brought his longtime friend Chef Fredy Cetina, from California, to help expand the concept. What began as a simple two-burger menu has grown into a full lineup featuring over 12 specialty smash burgers, along with fried chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, and more.
From Two Burgers to Four NYC Locations
Today, SMASHED NYC is widely recognized as one of New York City’s early brick-and-mortar restaurants dedicated exclusively to smash burgers. We've been honored by the recognition of some of the world's most accomplished chefs, and by guests who've traveled here from around the world, just to try our burger.
With locations across the West Village, East Village, DUMBO, and Union Square, there's always a SMASHED NYC location near you. Visit our locations page to find the nearest one.
What Makes SMASHED NYC’s Smash Burgers Different
At SMASHED NYC, what separates us from the rest isn't just the burger — it's the culinary foundation behind it.
Founder Mark Mendaros and Chef Fredy Cetina both come from a French culinary background, where technique, precision, and the quality of ingredients are non-negotiable. That foundation is what set the tone for everything at SMASHED NYC — from how the burgers are built, to how they taste, to how every element on the plate works together.
The Technique
Every burger at SMASHED NYC starts with a fresh, hand-portioned ball of high-quality beef, pressed onto a screaming hot griddle with precision and force. That single motion triggers the Maillard reaction — the same chemical process behind great searing and roasting — creating a deeply caramelized, crispy crust that locks in juice and amplifies flavor. The result is a burger with crispy, lacy edges, a rich and juicy interior, and a depth of flavor that's hard to achieve any other way.
Sauce-Forward by Design
The menu at SMASHED NYC is intentionally sauce-forward. Inspired by the French culinary tradition of building complex, layered flavors through sauces, Mark and Fredy developed every recipe with that same philosophy in mind. Every sauce and chili is made fresh daily, in-house — never from a bottle, never shortcuts — crafting bold flavor profiles that elevate each burger into something memorable.
Fresh, High-Quality Ingredients
From the beef to the produce to the sauces, every ingredient at SMASHED NYC is chosen with care. Our beef is always fresh, never frozen — because a great smash burger starts before it ever hits the griddle. Fresh, high-quality ingredients aren't a marketing line — they're the standard that Mark and Fredy built this kitchen on. Because when the technique is right and the ingredients are right, the flavor speaks for itself.
Reviews Across SMASHED NYC Locations
⭐ 4.6+ average rating across our locations. Based on 500+ reviews on Google and Yelp
“Sometimes you just want a wholesome, delicious burger to treat yourself after a long day. A burger from Smashed always gives me that satisfied feeling, like I chose right. It's exactly what a burger should taste like—flavorful patty, melty cheese, soft bun.”
— Samantha M (Google)
“Everything is Amazing! Service, food, and experience is top tier and delicious . Must visit or you are missing out!”
— Rohan A. (Yelp)
“The sweet potato fries are the best ever, crispy outside melts inside. The Big Schmacc is delicious, patty cooked to perfection, perfect amount of cheese, lettuce fresh!”
— Carmina D. (Google)
“This place is amazing! Hands down the best burgers we tried during our trip to New York. Everything was delicious, and the cashier was super kind and sweet, which made the experience even better. We absolutely loved the vibe of the place, great energy, great food, and great people. Definitely a must visit!”
— Mary G, (Google)
Crave-worthy Mentions
From food lovers and frequent visitors to world travelers and well-respected chefs, SMASHED NYC has earned a recognition that no amount of marketing could buy — one built entirely on the burger itself. Consistently rated the top smash burger spot in New York City, the word keeps spreading the old-fashioned way: make SMASHED a habit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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SMASHED NYC is known for serving some of the best smash burgers in New York City, featuring crispy, caramelized edges, simple but high-quality ingredients, and a consistent focus on flavor and execution. The menu focuses on simple, bold flavors with burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, and a variety of sides designed for consistency and flavor at every location across New York City.
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SMASHED NYC specializes in classic smash burgers made with thin, griddled beef patties that develop crispy edges and a rich, caramelized flavor. The menu features a range of 10+ specialty burgers built on this technique, along with a signature house approach to toppings, sauces, and overall execution.
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Smash burgers are cooked by pressing a ball of beef directly onto a hot griddle, creating a thin patty with crispy edges and a juicy center. This technique maximizes surface contact, triggering the Maillard reaction—a chemical process that creates a deep, savory crust and enhances flavor. Compared to thicker, traditionally grilled burgers, smash burgers deliver a more intense sear and a richer, more flavorful bite.
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Yes, SMASHED NYC uses fresh, high-quality ingredients across its menu. From the premium-quality beef used in its smash burgers to its sauces and toppings. Our focus every day, is to deliver on consistency, flavor, and quality in every item served.
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SMASHED NYC was founded in 2020 by Mark Mendaros. The concept was created during a pivotal time for New York City, marking a shift from fine dining to a more focused, fast-casual smash burger experience built around quality and consistency.
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SMASHED NYC was founded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic by Mark Mendaros, who is the sole owner and operator of the brand. After closing his French-American bistro in the Lower East Side, he launched SMASHED NYC as a focused, fast-casual burger concept built around quality ingredients and a simple, craveable menu.
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SMASHED NYC has multiple locations across New York City, including the West Village, East Village, DUMBO in Brooklyn, and Union Square. Each location offers the same core menu, with select variations depending on the neighborhood.
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SMASHED NYC has 4 locations across Manhattan and Brooklyn: East Village, West Village, Union Square, and DUMBO.