A smash burger from Rocomamas is a delicious burger made by smashing a ball of minced beef right on the grill to get a thin, crispy, and flavorful patty. Rocomamas is a popular South African restaurant chain known for its great burgers made with quality ingredients. Their smash burger is a customer favorite.
What is a Smash Burger?
A smash burger is a style of burger where the beef patty is smashed thinly on a hot griddle or grill. This smashing technique results in a patty with crispy edges and a tender, juicy center.
Some key features of a smash burger:
- The patty is made from a loose ball of minced beef, seasoned simply with just salt and pepper.
- The ball of beef is placed directly on a hot, lightly oiled griddle and smashed down firmly with a spatula.
- The patty is cooked quickly over high heat, developing a dark crust and caramelized flavors.
- The patty is typically thinner than a regular burger patty, around 3-4 oz and 1/4 inch thick.
- The edges get crispy and browned from contact with the griddle.
- The interior stays juicy and tender when cooked correctly.
The smashing technique allows for more surface area to get browned and crispy, adding great texture and flavor. The thin patty overall allows the beef to cook quickly while staying juicy.
How Rocomamas Makes Their Smash Burgers
Rocomamas has perfected the art of the smash burger. Here is how they make their delicious smash burgers:
1. High Quality Beef
They use 100% pure minced beef, not processed into patties beforehand. This allows them to shape the patties fresh before smashing. They typically use a blend of cuts like chuck and brisket.
2. Seasoned Prior to Smashing
The loose beef balls are seasoned with salt, pepper, and just a pinch of oregano and thyme to add flavor without overpowering the beef.
3. Smashed on a Hot Griddle
The seasoned beef ball goes right onto a hot griddle greased with just a thin layer of oil. It is smashed down hard with a spatula, pressing down on it for about 10 seconds to get it thinner than 1/4 inch.
4. Cooked Quickly Over High Heat
The thin patty is cooked over high heat for just 2-3 minutes per side. The high heat helps the sugars in the meat caramelize, adding flavor.
5. Topped with Cheese and Condiments
Right after flipping, the patty gets topped with a slice of melted American cheese. As soon as the patty comes off the griddle, it gets dressed simply with mayo, ketchup, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles on a soft burger bun.
Why Rocomamas Smash Burgers are So Good
There are several reasons why Rocomamas smash burgers have such devoted fans:
Flavorful Beef
Using a high quality blend of boneless beef chuck and brisket makes for a juicy, beefy burger patty with great texture.
Crispy Edges
Smashing the patty thin on a hot griddle gives those irresistible crispy edges on the patty.
Caramelized Flavor
The hot griddle caramelizes the natural sugars in the beef, adding complex sweet and savory flavors.
Melty Cheese
A slice of melted American cheese adds creamy texture and cheesy goodness.
Fresh Produce
Crunchy lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles balance out the richness of the patty and cheese.
Soft Burger Bun
The burger gets served on a soft, toasted egg bun that holds together but doesn’t overwhelm the fillings.
Simple Condiments
Just a spread of mayo and ketchup allows the great beef flavor to shine through.
Types of Smash Burgers at Rocomamas
Rocomamas offers a few different varieties of their smash burgers to suit different tastes:
Classic Smash Burger
This is their standard smash burger with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and a choice of cheese. You can customize with add-ons like bacon, avocado, fried egg, and more.
Greek Smash Burger
Comes with feta cheese, tzatziki sauce, tomato, onion, and shredded lettuce for a Mediterranean twist.
Blue Cheese Smash Burger
Topped with salty, tangy blue cheese crumbles instead of American cheese for a more robust flavor.
Jalapeño Smash Burger
Adds sliced pickled jalapeños and Sriracha mayo for some heat.
Brunch Smash Burger
An egg, bacon, and cheese topped patty with mayo for a breakfast style burger.
How to Order the Smash Burger at Rocomamas
Ordering Rocomamas’ famous smash burger is easy whether dining at one of their locations or getting delivery:
At the Restaurant
Stop by one of their locations during opening hours, typically 12pm to 10pm. Sit down and order at your table from their menu.
Online for Delivery
Browse the menu and order on the Rocomamas website or mobile app for quick delivery straight to your home or office.
By Phone
Call your nearest Rocomamas restaurant to speak with a team member and place your order over the phone.
Be sure to specify that you want the “smash burger” and choose patty size and toppings. Rocomamas smash burgers can be ordered on their own or as part of a meal with sides.
Smash Burger Cooking Tips
Want to try making smash burgers at home just like Rocomamas? Here are some helpful cooking tips:
Use Freshly Ground Beef
Pre-ground beef can be inconsistent in texture. Grind your own chuck roast or brisket for ideal smash burger meat.
Make the Patties Loose
Gently form loose, rough balls of meat without compacting too much. This allows for maximum smashing.
Get the Griddle Very Hot
Use a thick cast iron or steel griddle and get it scorching hot, around 450°F if you have a thermometer.
Grease the Griddle Lightly
Use just a thin sheen of a high smoke point oil like avocado or grapeseed oil to prevent sticking.
Smash Patties Thin
Press patties down firmly with a spatula for about 10 seconds until they are 1/4 inch thick.
Don’t Move the Patties
Let them cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes per side to get a good sear.
Melt Cheese on Top
Add cheese right after flipping so it melts evenly over the patty.
Allow Resting Time
Let burgers rest 1-2 minutes after cooking for juices to redistribute before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about Rocomamas’ smash burgers:
Are the burgers made from fresh or frozen beef?
Rocomamas uses fresh, never frozen beef for their burgers.
What cuts of beef do they use?
A blend of chuck and brisket is typical for their smash burger patties.
How big are the smash burger patties?
Sizes range from 3oz petit to 8oz mega smashes. A regular is 5oz before cooking.
Can you choose how done the patty is cooked?
Yes, you can request rare, medium rare, medium, etc. when ordering.
Are Rocomamas smash burgers gluten-free?
The burger patties are gluten-free, but need to be ordered without the bun to be fully gluten-free.
Do the burgers come with fries?
Most combo meals include your choice of side like fries, onion rings or a side salad.
The Appeal of a Smash Burger
Smash burgers like those at Rocomamas have become so popular because they offer an exciting burger experience with some key benefits:
- The thin, crispy, well-seared patties have tons of flavor and satisfying texture.
- They tend to be greaseless and less messy than thick pub-style burgers.
- The patties cook fast over high heat, so you don’t have to wait long.
- You can add lots of toppings without overwhelming the patty.
- They are a more unique, chef-driven take on a traditional fast food burger.
For burger lovers looking for a great combination of taste, quality, and customizable options, smash burgers like those at Rocomamas hit the spot.
Conclusion
Rocomamas’ smash burgers are a prime example of this trendy burger style done right. Their fresh beef, sizzling griddle technique, high quality toppings, and reasonable pricing all come together to make a really satisfying burger. If you are in South Africa, visiting a Rocomamas location to try one of their delicious smash burgers for yourself is a must. Just looking at a Rocomamas smash burger with its crispy edges and juicy center is enough to get your mouth watering.