The Original Fried Onion burger with American cheese, onion, pickle, ketchup, and mustard on a potato bun
While I had been hearing about smash burgers for a few months, it wasn't until mid-May that I first tried one at Lovely's, a burger spot next to the Two Pitchers Brewing taproom and beer garden on Webster and 24th in Oakland. Based on what I've heard from experts close to the source, smash burgers are different from traditional burgers in that they're composed ("smashed") on a flat grill, so they're more likely to seem cobbled together. This, plus the restaurants' use of high-quality ingredients, makes them taste fresher and juicier than a typical burger from a fast food chain. It seems like there aren't many brick and mortar places that specialize in the smash burger — many are pop-ups — so it's nice to see that they're easy to come by at Lovely's.
I believe I tried the Original Fried Onion burger with American cheese, onion, pickle, ketchup, and mustard on a potato bun when I visited. I remember it did taste better than a burger I'd get elsewhere and I understand that burger fiends seem to enjoy their offerings. I'm not big into burgers made with beef (I prefer veggie burgers) and I don't like lines (theirs felt like it took 20+ minutes to order and more to be served), so I probably won't be returning soon.
Maybe the service is faster now and if so, I would try a fried chicken sandwich or even a hot dog for kicks. What a great way to celebrate summer: classic American emoji food. If you've been to Lovely's, what would you recommend trying?
Lovely's
2344 Webster St., Oakland, CA 94612
Open: Wednesday - Thursday 4 - 9:30pm, Friday - Saturday 4 - 10pm, Sunday 12 - 4:30pm
Check out more posts from Oakland.
