Smashburger opens first location in downtown Denver

By Dylan Burkhardt Wed., Sep. 22 2010 at 4:30 PM

After a brief delay because of a thirteen-inch construction snafu, Smashburger finally has a downtown location, in the Tabor Center. This is the eleventh Smashburger in the metro area -- but the homegrown chain, which got its start three years ago on South Colorado Boulevard, now has close to eighty stores across the country.

The restaurant opened today and had a line outside the door all morning. One of the employees said he couldn't believe how many fans the place has. "People downtown know about Smashburger," he says, "and they just keep wanting more."

And they definitely will be getting more. This Smashburger will offer not just Smashburger's standard menu (which added more chicken and salads last week), but its signature Colorado items. And there are several features unique to this spot: a line of breakfast sandwiches served all day, an iced tea bar, special adult shakes and floats made with Häagen-Dazs ice cream and liquor, expanded beer and wine choices, and expanded hours on the weekends -- until midnight Thursday through Saturday. (Otherwise, it's open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.)

One more very special feature: Through September 30, Smashburger is donating one dollar from every Colorado Smashburger sold to Denver's Road Home, the city's campaign to end homelessness.