Smash burgers in Madrid have arrived to stay. An increasing number of names are offering this concept that competes fiercely with traditional burgers.
What is a smash burger?
The concept is simple. Instead of going for the classic patty, it is nothing more than a mound of ground meat that is smashed directly onto the grill to form discs. In the United States they’ve been thriving for years, whether in established restaurants or in world-renowned chains, such as Five Guys or the California-born In-N-Out.
Although it may seem like a simple recipe, getting it right is tricky. If you overdo the grill temperature, you can end up carbonizing the piece. The secret lies in mastering the technique, but also in the quality of the raw material, to achieve a patty that is cooked, but at its perfect point. Experts say there is more to it, such as achieving the Maillard effect, a chemical reaction that transforms the proteins and sugars in the meat when exposed to high temperatures, into a crusty layer.
Beyond technical details, what is clear is that smash burgers are gaining ground over the classics. If you’re one of those who dies for them, here are the best ones you can bite into in Madrid. And indeed, in Spain the fever for crushed burgers (their literal translation) has inspired top chefs to craft their own versions.
Where to eat the best smash burgers in Madrid
HYPE (Cardenal Cisneros, 21 / Meléndez Valdés, 6)
Juan Beltrán, trained at the Basque Culinary Center, wanted to create burgers that would showcase his culinary talent, but in a quick format. Telmo Trenado, a social media content creator, tried them and felt compelled to join the project, bringing visibility, because such a flavor deserves to be known by everyone. Today, the two are the creators of one of the city’s best burgers that fully lives up to its name: HYPE.
In the beginning they were in a 17-square-meter kitchen at Barceló Market. Today they have two own premises in Madrid and total 21 across Spain, proof enough that the hype is justified.
Beltrán, by personal preference, decided to omit some key elements of the traditional burger, so you won’t find lettuce, tomato, ketchup nor mustard in any of the options, but you will get premium beef and original sauces created for each option. Our favorite? Samurai Shadow: double smash on brioche bun, American cheese, HYPE special sauce, crispy bacon and pickled red onion that gives it the distinctive twist to a burger that at first glance looks classic.
