Who Invented The Smash Burger? (Hint: It Wasn't The Chain) - Tasting Table

"A beef patty flattened on the grill to create crispy outer edges and a juicy interior - that's the essence of a smash burger, and the reason why many passionately defend the viewpoint that smash burgers are better than regular burgers. This thinner style of patty has seen a rapid rise in popularity in the late 2010s, and the trend doesn't seem to be going anywhere."

"One story traces the beloved burger back to the Great Depression, when meat was scarce and expensive. Ross Davis, a burger vendor from Oklahoma, began mixing the beef with onions, which were much cheaper, to bulk up the patties, smashing the two together on the grill."

"In 2007, a chain called Smashburger opened its doors, serving burgers with exclusively smashed patties. The eatery saw very fast growth, soon expanding internationally - as of 2026, it has locations in seven countries and 34 states. Through its iconic meaty burgers, the chain is largely credited with the revival of the smash burger and may have even given the flattened patty its iconic name."

Smash burgers feature flattened patties cooked on a grill to achieve crispy outer edges while maintaining a juicy interior. This style gained significant popularity in the late 2010s, with dedicated chain restaurants like Smashburger leading the trend. However, smash burgers are not a modern invention. They date back to the early 1900s, with multiple origin stories including one from the Great Depression when Oklahoma vendor Ross Davis mixed beef with cheaper onions and smashed them together on the grill. Another account credits a Dairy Cheer line cook in Kentucky with accidentally discovering the technique. Smashburger, which opened in 2007, is credited with reviving the smash burger trend and possibly giving it its name, though the exact pre-existing terminology remains unclear.

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