A smashburger is born when a patty is pressed into a pan or griddle. While they’ve been around since the mid-twentieth century, they became popular when the Smashburger restaurant chain opened in 2007. Plenty of local restaurants are serving up their own delicious takes — here are our favorites!
Joyland
Joyland’s smashburger is also a crustburger, which means they press that bun flat with some buttery magic. It’s my favorite, and the gluten-free bun is delicious. Joyland is in East Nashville and Sylvan Park. — Margaret Kingsbury
Cledis
If you want some smashburger variations, Cledis is the place to go. From Thai to Italian to Georgia peaches, Cledis offers a wide variety of smashburger styles to choose from. The fries are the best part. It’s a cool place to hang out, with lots of memorabilia from the 80s and 90s. They’re in Elm Hill, and recently opened a new restaurant in Bellevue. — MK
Bad Luck Burger Club
What started in 2021 as a pop-up outside a barbershop is now one of Nashville’s best burgers: Toasted potato buns, grilled onions, oozy American cheese, and a to-die-for burger sauce. No wonder it won the 2024 Nashville Scene’s reader’s poll for best burger in Nashville! Their trucks can be spotted all over town, or permanently parked at Honeytree Meadery in East. — Marie Cecile Anderson
Cafe Roze
Featuring mustard-grilled patties, melted cheddar, tangy house pickles, and a crave-worthy special sauce, Cafe Roze’s smashburger might be the best-kept secret in town. It’s simple yet elevated, bursting with bold flavor and perfectly crisped edges. Well worth the trip to East Nashville. — Daniel Sumstine
Dreamburger
Right across from Cafe Roze in East Nashville, Dreamburger is a food truck parked at Vinyl Tap, with, according to reviews, killer smashburgers, and even vegetarian options! It’s inexpensive and delicious. — MK
Brave Idiot
Brave Idiot’s food truck is tucked behind No Quarter pinball bar in East, and for those who think a smashburger might just be a patty melt with a better publicist, the Mattie Melt (complete with bacon dijon) is for you. — Whitney Pastorek
