Smashburger smashing into downtown next week

After a slight delay created by a thirteen-inch problem with a neighboring wall, Smashburger is ready to smash into downtown Denver, where it will unveil a new store in the Tabor Center, at 1203 16th Street, on Wednesday, September 22.

Since the chain opened its very first Smashburger just over three years ago on South Colorado Boulevard in Glendale, it's grown to close to eighty outlets across the country (and counting -- a couple more are opening this week), with plans to have more than 400 locations in operation five years from now.

But this will be the first restaurant in the heart of the town where the concept of the "better burger" was born, and there are some new twists planned for the Tabor Center store. "Our hometown of Denver has a modern vitality and great nightlife," said Smashburger founder Tom Ryan in announcing the official date. "We are thrilled to open our first downtown location and cater to the lifestyle of those who live, work and play near the 16th Street Mall."

And talk about catering: This Smashburger, and this Smashburger only, will have an exclusive line of breakfast sandwiches that are served all day, as well as alcohol-spiked "After Hours" Häagen-Dazs shakes and floats, an expanded beer and wine list, a custom iced tea bar and weekend hours that stretch until midnight on Thursday through Saturday, to feed the club crowd. Of course, it will also serve the full Smashburger menu (which introduced more chicken and salad options on Monday), as well as the signature Colorado menu of regional specialities -- and maybe even the black-bean burger that until now had only been available at the Boulder store.

Before it opens, the downtown Smashburger will host a VIP party at the new spot on September 21 - and on September 20, Cafe Society will be giving away four tickets to that bash.

Should be smashing.