The Station Smashburgers

The Station Burger is one of Berkeley’s most popular burger destinations. It is a lively, energetic, outdoor destination with a small, to-the-point menu featuring beef smash burgers, ground chicken patty burgers, impossible burgers, rice bowls, fries, and loaded fries, as well as ice cream, milkshakes, and alcoholic beverages. From the second I arrived, I could smell the heavenly scent of the burgers, fries, and other dishes. I looked at what everyone else was eating and became very excited to try my own.

The whole outdoor eating area is always abuzz with people, particularly young people and new parents, having a good time in Berkeley’s sunny weather. Some of the seats are protected by a cheap roof, but many of the others are not. The music is loud, and the tables turn over relatively quickly. The point here is instant gratification: a quick, easy fix for your cravings.

The kitchen, which is the only indoor part of the restaurant besides the restroom, churns out these mouthwatering items at a rapid pace, quickly and efficiently following delicious recipes as soon as they are ordered. These incredible dishes draw crowds seemingly all day, every day, and there’s always a line forming full of people who want to order.

The ingredients here are what make the food special. The labor is cheap; the eating area itself is little more than a patio, and the food is served on disposable dishes. The real expense is the flavor-packed ingredients that distinguish this from cheap fast food. It costs more than fast food, but it tastes much better, too.

The beef smash burgers here have a very classic, old-fashioned vibe. They are soft, warm, and melt in your mouth. They have a well-seasoned patty, gooey American cheese, a tangy sauce, and a soft, sweet bun. They’re saucy and cheesy without being too messy and warm without being hot.

I enjoyed the fries I ordered with my burger because they were salty and crunchy, giving off those nostalgic American burger joint vibes. Although they were not included with my burger, I found them worth my while.

The ice cream selection here is not to be overlooked. The chocolate-dipped ice cream cones were popular, but I tried a thick, creamy chocolate milkshake that reminded me of childhood and summer vacation.

But as old-fashioned as the burger/fry/milkshake combination seemed, I was struck by the creativity and the modernity of the other menu items my friends ordered. The Saigon Smash chicken burger (a burger made from a ground chicken patty) was something I had never even heard of before, but it was appetizing, hearty, and delicious. With jalapeño, sriracha mayo, and pickled daikon and carrots, it was a real pinnacle of fusion cuisine. I was as impressed by the Saigon Bowl, which took the insides of that chicken burger and changed it into the toppings of a rice bowl.

It’s a great place to savor a quick and relatively inexpensive meal, perfect for young families or casual outings with friends. It’s super casual and super delicious.