I had the same meal at Wahlburgers and Smashburger. Both were good, but there's one I can't stop thinking about.

Business Insider

3 days ago

First, I went to the Wahlburgers location in the heart of Boston.
Founded by chef Paul Wahlberg and co-owned by two of his famed brothers, Mark and Donnie Wahlberg, the first Wahlburgers debuted just outside Boston.
The original location in Hingham, Massachusetts, has since closed, so I headed to the next best thing: the Wahlburgers location just steps from Boston's iconic Fenway Park.
It was about 5 p.m. on a Thursday, and the customers inside mainly looked like they were grabbing dinner on their way home from work.
When I walked in, I thought the restaurant looked bright and tidy, with swaths of color giving the ambiance a cheerful vibe.
The location I visited offers a standard counter for placing your order, an entire full-service bar with booths and tables, and a patio out back.
The white and green color scheme was bright and playful, but the attached bar was more traditional and cozy with tufted booths, wood detailing, and subway tile throughout.
I was surprised by how hot and flavorful my burger was.
I ordered an Our Burger, a beef burger with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, Walburgers' trademark Wahl Sauce, and "government cheese" — American cheese that the Wahlbergs have described as "a nod to our family's roots." I also ordered tots.
The burger, which cost $9.95, was the most basic offering on the menu compared to the double-decker, barbecue-bacon, and southwestern-inspired ones.
After less than 10 minutes, my name was called — and it was clear that what I received had been made to order. The burger was piping hot with perfectly melted cheese and all the promised toppings.
I loved the flavorful addition of the secret Wahl Sauce, a condiment that includes ketchup, mayonnaise, and Sriracha. It added a creamy convergence of tang and sweetness to my burger and perfectly complemented the buttery bun.
The tots were crisp and delicious.
I also ordered an appetizer-sized side of Parmesan truffle tots for $8.95.
I was impressed to find them hot, crispy, and plentiful. Dusted with Parmesan and parsley and drizzled with truffle oil, these were a standout part of my meal.
The truffle flavor wasn't too overpowering, and the tots' subtle saltiness amplified the Parmesan and parsley. I'm still thinking about them today.
Then, I headed to Smashburger in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Up next, I drove to Warwick, Rhode Island, to visit the Smashburger restaurant that opened in 2016. It's the only location in the state, but one of more than 200 across the country.
Founded in Denver in 2007, Smashburger gets its name from its specialized process of cooking burgers by "smashing" the meat down on a flattop grill at a high heat.
This time, I went at lunchtime on a Friday, arriving with a good appetite in tow.
The restaurant's interior was sunlit, and the decor included local photography on the wall.
I noticed the restaurant's signature red color throughout, on details like pendant lights and decor. It had a trendy, industrial aesthetic and featured traditional seating, a banquette that ran the length of the space, and comfortable high-top tables.
The food came out hot, and it was clearly made right away.
I ordered tots and the $7.19 Classic Smash, a burger with American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, pickles, ketchup, and Smash Sauce on a butter-toasted bun.
Under 10 minutes later, my meal was ready. The size of the entire burger, fixings included, seemed a little smaller than the one I got at Wahlburgers' — it is a "smashed" patty, after all — but it was big on flavor.
I appreciated the beef's rich natural flavors. The meaty taste also balanced well with the juicy tomato, red onions, buttery toasted bun, and legendary Smash Sauce.
I found Smashburger's signature sauce full-bodied but simple. Tons of "dupe" Smash Sauce recipes can be found online, and most are made with a base of mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, chopped pickles, and pickle juice, plus a variety of spices.
The tots were simple but hot and crispy.
Like Wahlburgers, Smashburger offers a variety of fries and tots. I got an order of classic tots for $3.99.
They were served fresh from the fryer but weren't at all greasy. The texture was perfect: crisp, but tender on the inside.
Both of my orders exceeded my expectations, but Wahlburgers delivered the more memorable meal.
I was impressed by both of my meals. All in all, Wahlburgers and Smashburger both offer solid, made-to-order burgers, and it's no easy feat to pick one winner.
My Wahlburgers burger was more robust and gave that "big burger bite" experience, but Smashburger held its own despite its slightly smaller stature.
The tots at both restaurants were hot and fresh, and if you're a fan of a more classic taste and texture, Smashburger won't disappoint. The restaurant also serves tots tossed in rosemary, garlic, and olive oil, as well as ones tossed in Nashville Hot seasoning and served with ranch.
However, if you love the taste of truffles, the ones from Wahlburgers are a good choice. I'm still thinking of the restaurant's Parmesan truffle tots, so it's hard not to choose those as my winner.
Ultimately, thanks to its flavorful burger and mouth-watering tots, Wahlburgers is officially my new favorite fast-casual burger spot.