Smashed - West Village

While it seems like there’s a new smashburger place on every corner these days, the crispy, lacy burgers with a crunch at Smashed are worth walking a few extra blocks for, at least. This West Village location is smaller than their Lower East Side restaurant, but both are subway tiled, black-and-white spaces, with black-and-white menu boards, serving black & white shakes (plus a few other kinds).

That’s because all the color here is reserved for the golden-brown smashed cheeseburgers, served with a mix of raw and grilled onions, pickles, and a special sauce that’s on the sweeter side. Smashed does a chili cheese option, as well as things like an Oklahoma burger, and a fried chicken sandwich, but just stick to the classic and marvel at how this simple smashburger can take you straight to beef Candyland.

photo credit: Will Hartman