Tampa food blogger — Smash burgers have come into vogue recently and are made by smashing ground beef onto a hot griddle, making them thin enough at the edges for the meat to get crispy and tasty.

I love discovering little hole-in-the-wall places that serve great food, so when fellow foodie Andy Huse bragged about the food at the Smashbun Burger shop at 6113 N. Florida Ave., it went to the top of my must-try list. It’s tucked into a strip center between a beauty shop and a harvest market, with only a small, easy-to-miss banner along Florida Ave. The interior is also small, featuring four 4-top metal tables and a counter with benches along the front window. But, there’s nothing small about the size and flavor of their burgers.

Smash burgers have come into vogue over the last several years, but aren’t a new concept. They are typically burgers that are literally mashed onto a hot griddle, making them thin enough at the edges for the meat to get crispy and lacy, while increasing browning and intensifying taste. Real pros will smash and spread (like a spatula) all in one motion. That thin patty with crispy edges is what defines a smash burger. For as long as I can remember, places like Steak ‘n Shake have created their sandwiches this way. But they call them Steakburgers, not smash burgers.

The menu here keeps it nice and simple. Diners can select from four burger options, ranging from a single burger ($9.99) to more complex dishes such as The Wisconsin ($12.99), which features a double burger patty, sautéed onions, the house's “yummy” sauce, and Swiss cheese. They start with a buttered brioche bun toasted just right on the griddle. They top it with 2 of those perfectly seared jagged hamburgers, then pile on the toppings. The burger itself is flavorful and peppery. The sautéed onions and delicious sauce bring a hint of sweetness and acidity, and the gooey Swiss cheese is tangy and creamy. It’s one of the best burgers in town.

Their Buttermilk Chicken sandwich is also top-notch. It’s a thick chicken breast brined in buttermilk, then dredged in flour and deep-fried. It is served with Asian coleslaw, ranch dressing, sweet pickles, and American cheese on a buttered and flat-top toasted brioche bun. The chicken is tender and juicy on the inside, thanks to the buttermilk brine, with a nice crunch on the outside. There is a slight heat afterburn from the Asian coleslaw that ties the whole bite together.

The sweet potato fries are a heaping helping of crispy, salty, thin-cut strips, balanced by the light sweetness of the potato and the house-made yum sauce, which adds a creamy, peppery kick. The onion rings are a pile of battered and deep-fried to a super-crispy, golden-brown delight. They also offer standard crinkle-cut French fries.

We also sampled the Stakes (sic) sandwich, made from grilled filet. It is topped with grilled green and red peppers, onions, Swiss and provolone cheese, all piled on a hoagie roll. The flavor is there, but the steak is too chewy. It’s not their best effort.

Beverages include canned and bottled sodas, some fruit juices, and iced tea. They also offer standard milkshakes, including strawberry, vanilla, chocolate, and Oreo.

Service is fast and easy, and prices are low to moderate. I asked about the name, SmashBun Burger, at the front counter and was told it’s because they smash their burgers. When I asked the obvious question about the buns, I was told they could smash that if I wanted as well. Some things were meant to be a mystery.

They are open every day, but the hours listed on a web search and their website aren’t always accurate. They were closed on one of my attempted visits, so consider calling before going. They offer order pickup and delivery through the typical carriers after you order online.

These are some of the best burgers in town. The beef is fresh, the toppings are delish, and that smashed flavorful edge.. divine!

Smashbun Burger 6113 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33604 (813) 231-7761

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