Smash Hit Showdown: Rive-Sud’s Smash Burger Battle

Smash burger enthusiast? People of the South Shore rejoice! The year 2024 has brought us 2 new restaurants specializing in these burgers on the South Shore, specifically in Longueuil.

This type of burger, which was first created towards the end of the 2000s in the United States, quickly became all the rage. In Quebec, it has gained significant popularity in the last 2-3 years.

And since we now know about these 2 new restaurants in the area, what a great opportunity to bring you the battle of the smash burgers!

But first, what is an authentic and good smash burger?

First and foremost, the difference between a smash burger and a traditional burger is that, while traditional burgers are placed on the grill or griddle already formed into patties, smash burgers are made from balls of ground beef that are placed on the grill and then smashed with a burger press until they are ultra-thin. The patties have a crispy, asymmetrical edge, and are well-cooked, juicy, and caramelized.

Additionally, the burger is topped with sauce, a slice of cheese, onions, and pickles, all served on a brioche bun. Some may also add other condiments, including bacon (our choice). What a delight!

Here are our 2 contenders:

Chez Écrapou

20 Bd Jean-Paul-Vincent, Longueuil, QC J4G 2M5

At Chez Écrapou in Longueuil, we were impressed by the quality of this burger and the warm demeanor of the co-owner, who quickly shows his passion for operating this small restaurant! We opted for a double burger with candy bacon—what a delight! The burgers are made with 100% fresh brisket meat every day, with a perfect fat percentage, making the meat crispy.

The patty is not too thick; it is presented as it should be. In addition, the sauce is homemade. What more could you ask for? We enjoyed discovering this spot on the South Shore of Montreal; it’s a must-visit!

Chez Simon Cantine Urbaine

951 Rue Sainte-Hélène, Longueuil, QC J4K 3S1

Chez Simon Cantine Urbaine is a well-known Montreal restaurant much appreciated by smash burger fans. They actively contributed to popularizing the smash burger in the Montreal area. We ourselves had the pleasure of tasting one of their delicious burgers on Hochelaga Street. Naturally, we were very excited to learn this summer that a Simon Cantine Urbaine would soon be opening in Longueuil!

A few weeks after the opening of this branch, we hurried to go “test” this smash burger.

But unfortunately, this first visit disappointed us!

Perhaps it was an isolated incident, but we received a burger that was somewhat “drenched” in fat (the bottom bun was soaked with fat) with a thick patty that definitely did not resemble our previous experience on Hochelaga Street. Moreover, the cheese was clearly over-melted. The service was adequate but more hurried than their competitor.

We will give them a second chance to redeem themselves, as we are aware that the restaurant has only been open for a few weeks and still needs time to match the “master” from Hochelaga Street.

Conclusion

So, for this first round, following our evaluation of the best smash burger on the South Shore, the highest rating goes to Chez Écrapou.