If there’s one protagonist in the universe of pressed burgers in Lisbon that’s been making headlines, it’s called Stack Smash Burgers. After having tasted practically all the smash burgers available in the capital, there’s no doubt about it: this is one of the places that needs to be on your radar if you’re looking for a really memorable smash.
There are a few reasons why we like this Stack – a lot: the potato bun, the special sauce and the privileged experience of the three partners in this business: Malcolm Granath, Swedish-Swiss, living in Lisbon since 2021, after about 12 years living in Los Angeles (from where he brought all his wisdom to this business); Louis Bayle and Paul Cukierman, French, in Lisbon for 8 years, all of them with one mission in mind, which is to create a simple burger with a focus on taste and quality of ingredients.
We can say that the goal has been achieved. Congratulations!
From Mirari… to the Anjos neighborhood… to the Gulbenkian
May 2023 marked the three friends’ entry into the smash burgers sector, first through a pop-up space in Mirari, on Avenida 24 de Julho, with just two smash burgers.
The success was so great that, within a year and a half, they were already working on a small store in Anjos, also expanding the menu to three suggestions, with a strong focus on artisan potato bread, as is done in the United States, as well as producing their own sauces (there are four to try), pickles and ice cream, all of which stand out from the competition already existing in the Lisbon capital.
A third store is soon to open next to Gulbenkian and CAM – Centro de Arte Moderna, at Avenida Conde Valbom 118, which we’ll be sure to visit.
But Stack’s success isn’t random, not only because it makes good smash burgers – some of the best in the city – but also because it has a strong connection with the community in which it operates, especially the discounts for students and professionals, as well as loyalty cards that allow you to enjoy some perks, especially merchandising such as the brand’s t-shirts.
The Secret Lisbon experience
There are three smash burgers to try at Stack, all of which are delicious, but there’s always one that leaves you wanting more, and in this case it was the House Smash (€10.90), which is spicier (thanks to the house’s excellent sauce of the same name) and comes with two patties, two slices of American cheese, iceberg lettuce and mayonnaise, all inside the lightest potato bun we’ve ever tasted.
Then there’s the Exit Smash (€11.90), which is an ode to the American hamburger, inspired by the “animal style” sold by the fast food chain In-N-Out, where the burgers are grilled with mustard , plus two slices of cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, house pickles and sauce.
We couldn’t leave Stack without trying the Original Smash (€10.90), the most common recipe in all the houses that sell this delicacy: it has two patties, two slices of cheese, pickles, onion, mustard and ketchup. The only surprise is the bread, which really stands out from the competition.
You can add fries and a drink to each of these smashes for an extra €4. And speaking of fries, the ones at Stack are fresh, cut into thin sticks and fried twice until they’re perfect and crispy.
And if you’re not in the mood for a smash burger, you really must try the Stack Fries (small for €6/large for €8), accompanied by extra toppings such as jalapeños, sweet bacon and your choice of sauces, for an extra €0.80.
We’ve left dessert for last, and here we’re sure you won’t be prepared for the taste and aroma of this ice cream: it’s homemade, created from a recipe that will take you back to your childhood, through a creamy preparation of milk with cornflakes , slightly sweet and with little crunchy notes on top, simple but very authentic, something that left us truly surprised. Not trying this ice cream is a crime!
From our experience at Stack, there is one detail present in everything we tasted: the crunchiness, which in this house is the absolute protagonist, not compromising the juiciness of all the products, since each bite releases juice, lots of flavor and extra texture, elements that transform the simple act of eating a smash burger into an experience that goes beyond. We loved it!
Address: Rua Jacinta Marto 1A (Anjos); Avenida 24 de Julho 170 (Mirari)
Opening hours: Thursday to Monday, from 12pm to 11pm
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