Smacks Burgers & Shakes (2407 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota) happened to be on my path toward a weekend I was spending in the Tampa Bay area. Whenever I’m on one of my road trips, it’s imperative to check out the surrounding cities to your destination. I always seem to find great food gems that way.
I’ve also been following Smacks Burger on Instagram and checking out the burgers they’ve been making. They caught my eye & were already on my radar; what can I tell you?
First Timer Here
First time here, which meant I chose the Original Double burger route with only cheese and smacks sauce. I also “sampled” the split and then griddled hot dog. My friend ate the super messy chili cheese dog, and he preferred my dog.
The garlic herb parmesan fries and beer-battered onion rings were both winners. However, I should put an asterisk next to the fries as they were probably the most addictive of all the things I tried at Smacks Burgers.
You have to keep it simple on your first time somewhere. I know folks who try these crazy toppings and then hate a place. I like to go the basic route and work my way up to insanity.
The Original Double was a perfect little ditty. The Smacks sauce is not overpowering and adds the right condiment element to the griddled burger patties with melted American cheese. The Original Double is a can’t miss burger.
The special frozen custard was chocolate orange. So the best way to describe it is if Orange Julius had a chocolate version, this would be it.
If you don’t understand that, think orange slushy meets chocolate flavor. I can, at last, use an adjective that I’d never think of with chocolate, refreshing.
Smacks Burgers in Sarasota is a great spot. On our way to Tampa, it made for a perfect little break, but it will be our destination next time.
Smacks Burgers closed permanently in September 2020.