This is going to make a lot of us old heads cry, but remember the Six-Dollar Burger? Hard to believe in the age of the $15 “value meal,” but once upon a time Hardee’s/Carl’s Jr. used to sell this massive, thick burger - supposedly the size of the $6 hamburgers restaurants sold – for like $3.50. And this was maybe a decade ago. Here, I brought some Kleenex.
Well, I am happy to report that this week marks the return of the reasonably-priced hamburger to our city, in the most unlikely of places: Brickell. A new smashburger spot called Granado’s opens today with a small menu and low prices, offering a brief respite from fast food menu sticker shock. Granted, the burger will run you around $7, but at this point anything in single digits feels like a bargain.
7 bucks? This burger’s gotta be, like, Happy Meal sized, right?
Oh no! Make no mistake, Granado’s signature smash burger isn’t near the size of what Carl’s Jr. used to dish out. Or even the Flanigan’s lunch special. But the smash patty – covered in fried onions, melted American cheese, and Granado’s special mayo/mustard burger sauce – is about the size of most of the smashburgers people rave about in this city. Except it costs about $4 less.
The scene: Feels very much like a little neighborhood burger joint. Granado’s took over the old T.I.T.T.S. Chicken space on S. Miami Ave., with an open kitchen, a soda counter, and a smattering of tables inside and out. Its green checked color scheme gives it a little bit of an old-timey steakhouse vibe, albeit one whose menu is posted on the wall. Or maybe E.R. Bradley’s, minus the bar.
What to eat and drink: The smashburger is what owner John Paul Granado – a born-and-raised Miami kid who gives serious Fernando Mendoza minus the Heisman – set out to bring to his neighborhood. The burger’s good if you’re in a burger frame of mind, but the menu has better stuff. The real star is the Avo Smash chicken sandwich, where Granado’s blends the chicken and spices it in house, smashes the patty, then tops it with avocado, butter lettuce, pickles, and a Greek yogurt sauce. It almost feels healthy.
There’s also a Choripan burger – essentially a chorizo smash burger topped with chimichurri mayo, onions, American, and pickles. It’s a spicier twist on the traditional smash, albeit a bit greasy. The fries are also a standout, fried in a fruit oil with a high burning point for extra crispiness. They’re slightly breaded, like a thicker Burger King fry. But the portions are the perfect size.
Don’t miss: The menu of bowls. If you’re going low carb or like to think you’re gluten free, you can get all of the burger combinations served over rice or fresh greens.
Perfect for: Inexpensive, quick lunch or dinner. Late-night drunk food (they’re open until 3 am on the weekends!)
Expect to pay: $10-15 with fries and a drink. Same as at the drive-thru, but exponentially better.
How’s the parking: El. Oh. El. It’s Brickell, bro. Take the Metromover or walk.
@eatgranados // 1250 S. Miami Ave., Brickell