I remember when the first Smashburger restaurant opened in New York. It was in downtown Brooklyn and was treated as an exciting culinary discovery. Looking back, it’s pretty hilarious that anybody went crazy for this now ubiquitous chain.
However, who could have imagined that many years after that first NYC Smashburger debut, lots of local burger joints would be claiming the style of smashing their burger patties as their own. It’s now as popular and expected in the NYC burger world as a square pepperoni slice is in the NYC pizza world.
I’ve tried a number of these new smash burgers and generally enjoy them, but the best I’ve had recently is from a modest little stand below Essex Market in the Market Line food hall. It’s called Mighties and it lives up to its name.
One of the secrets of Mighties is that they source their grass-fed burger blend from Ends Meat (who are part owners, along with the group behind Wildair). The local butcher has a stand in the market and so it is a natural collaboration.
The flat patty is impeccably charred on the exterior and juicy as all heck. A Lil Mightie (which is bigger than a slider) was the perfect size to sample the meaty masterpiece. The toppings are simple but satisfying: American cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and a familiar tangy special sauce.
This city has come along way from the days we were awed by a burger chain from Colorado. And who needs In n Out? Not us. Price: $7-$13
| MIGHTIES |
| 115 Delancey Street (at Essex Street), Inside The Market Line Lower East Side (929) 567-3942 |
| mightiesburgers.com |
