Friday's are typically my "Freebie" day, the day when we can eat whatever tickles our fancy. On Freebie day, one of my pleasures are burgers and garlic fries.
Last week, I was invited to come nosh by the folks at SmashBurgerin Tempe, their first restaurant in Arizona. Can I tell you that their SmashFries tossed with rosemary, garlic, herbs, and olive oil was phenomenal. No trans fat here. I was really in fry heaven. I particularly reveled in the rosemary because it was subtle yet added a unique twist especially for chain restaurant fries.
These SmashFries rank up there with Gordon Biersch garlic fries, and we all know how much I LOVE those fries. Here's a glimpse of these crispy savory SmashFries.
I believe that it's not possible to eat clean and perfectly every day or all the time especially when you live in a culture that bombards us with a plethora of choices. Life is too short, and you should be able to enjoy the foods you like even if they are junk or processed.
The key to balanced eating is moderation, and eating a diet that predominately contains foods that benefit your health and well being. On Freebie day, have a burger and enjoy it, guilt-free.
At SmashBurger, I did a Create-Your-Own burger containing: 1/3 lb burger, grilled onions, guacamole, fresh jalapenos, leaf lettuce, tomato, and mustard on a spicy Chipotle bun. The burger is big so, I'll eat half, and take the other half home and eat for lunch the next day.
The cool part of visiting SmashBurger was that they let me go back in the kitchen AND take pictures. The "Smash" in the SmashBurger name comes from the fact that the beef (before it's cooked) is rolled into balls, and then smashed like so on the grill.
And here is a glimpse of burgers being assembled once the burger is cooked. I thought it was fun to be in the trenches watching the food being made.
One of the things I would love SmashBurger to add is a Veggie burger. They do have a chicken burger, but if you're a vegetarian your only options are salads and SmashSides like fries, onion rings, and these Veggie frites which are flash fried asparagus, green beans, and carrots.
Check out SmashBurger in Tempe. Here's their menu. There will be more Smash restaurants opening throughout metro Phoenix over the next couple years. You will definitely see me on a Freebie day eating the rosemary fries.
