35%
Critic reviews
Dedicated reviews and reported features from established editorial outlets. Strong criticism and detailed praise matter more than a passing mention.
Smash Score Methodology
How a Smash Score
takes shape.
Four weighted signals, one transparent starting point for deciding where to eat next.
The Smash Score is a 100-point research model. It evaluates available evidence around a restaurant’s featured smashburger and makes the inputs visible on the restaurant page.
It is not a critic score, a user rating, or a paid placement. It is a structured way to compare the evidence we can verify today.
The model
Four signals. One score.
45%
Crowd scores
Normalized diner ratings from major review platforms, with attention to volume, consistency, and whether the burger is the relevant subject.
10%
Community buzz
Useful local conversation from food communities, independent blogs, and social discussion. This is a supporting signal, not a substitute for reporting.
10%
Verified accolades
Documented competition results, awards, and meaningful list inclusions. Claims that cannot be verified do not receive credit.
How to read it
A score is context, not certainty.
Sources vary by city, restaurant age, and the amount of public reporting available. A high score means the available signals are unusually strong. It does not mean a restaurant is objectively best for every eater.
Scores can change when new reviews, more complete data, verified accolades, or meaningful menu changes surface. We would rather revise a ranking than pretend it is permanent.