Urban Guy and I took a little trip to check out SmashCity Knoxville’s new space. You’ll remember that they closed their restaurant stall in the flagship location at the end of June and took over the space that OliBea vacated just before that.
While there have been some aesthetic changes, those who loved the OliBea space will still recognize some of the aesthetics. The relaxed vibe remains. SmashCity’s classic black, white, and gold colors accentuate the interior. Natural wood shelves, storage and wall accents, and a pop of color with aquamarine chairs complete the color scheme. Whimsical décor on the shelves rounds out the ambiance and gives the restaurant a fun and playful feel.
When we entered the restaurant, we placed our order to the right of the entry door, grabbed our drinks, and took our number to a table. There is seating for 54 inside, with 20 more on the patio during good weather. The kitchen was visible and bustling while we were there. It took our food less than 10 minutes to arrive at our table.
Urban Guy and I both enjoyed a SpicySmash Burger with fries. He went with the classic ketchup with his fries, and I went bunless (AKA “Rad Style”) and added truffle mayo (my fave!) and ranch for fry dipping. The spicy burger is my favorite, and since I had been missing it while they made this transition, I had to order it. I did have my eye on the chicken sandwich, though, and I will definitely return to get that. The spicy burger had the perfectly crispy edges I like in a smash burger and had a real kick. The fries were crunchy on the outside and soft inside. Urban Guy approved. We ended the meal with the most adorable hamburger-themed macarons I’ve ever seen. Magpies Bakery created these cute little bites.
If you have special dietary needs or preferences, you can get a potato or gluten-free buns and build your own burger combination. The Rad Style is served on a bed of lettuce sans bun. Vegetarian? No problem. You can get a Black-Bean Smash. Kids won’t feel left out with a Kid’s Smash Pack, including a single patty burger and small fries. See the menu here.
The 211 S. Central St location hours are 11-8 Sunday through Thursday and open until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Carryout is available during business hours, and they are on DoorDash to meet your delivery needs.
