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Family Dining in Marin: Smashburger (CLOSED)

SmashburgerMarin families now have yet another place to get their burger fix: Smashburger in Novato. The Novato location is the Denver-based chain's first Bay Area location, and it serves up a variety of innovative burgers, chicken sandwiches, and salads using fresh ingredients.

I had the opportunity to attend a media preview of the Novato Smashburger last week, where I tried a selection of their food. Smashburger offers an array of specialty burgers, including the Bay Burger (with arugula, mushrooms, Swiss cheese, and truffle mayo); BBQ, bacon and cheddar; and spicy Baja.

Each burger is also available as a grilled chicken sandwich—my favorite of Smashburger's offerings was the chicken avocado club, with avocado, applewood-smoked bacon, and ranch dressing. You can also create your own burger or sandwich from the variety of toppings, sauces, and add-ons ranging from grilled onions and "Smash sauce" to guacamole and a fried egg.

Sides include their signature Smashfries (tossed with olive oil, rosemary, and garlic), veggie frites (fried carrot sticks and green beans), haystack onions, and (my favorite) sweet potato fries. Kids' meals include a burger, hot dog, or chicken strips, fries, and a drink. Non-meat-eaters have several options to choose from, including a veggie burger and salads. Wash your meal down with three different kinds of iced tea. an old-fashioned milkshake made with Häagen-Dasz ice cream, even a beer from local brewer Lagunitas. You can see the entire menu online here.

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Each new restaurant apparently is designed to complement its location, so the Novato store has decor reflecting the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as special menu items like the Bay Burger, which is only offered here. Oh, and the name "Smashburger" is derived from the cooks' practice of smashing a ball of ground beef on the griddle.

Everything I tried was fresh and tasty, and my husband and son checked it out after it opened and enjoyed their burgers, too. Smashburger aims for a sort of "fast casual" feel that's more than a fast food joint and less than a sit-down restaurant. Prices are inexpensive (burgers and sandwiches cost from $4.99–$6.99, and kids' meals check in at $4.99), especially given the quality and quantity of the food.

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The Novato Smashburger is located at 7320 Redwood Boulevard, Suite B, (next to Peet's Coffee and, ironically, McDonald's). They're open daily from 10 am to 10 pm. Call them at (415) 408-6560 or visit them online at www.smashburger.com.

Southern Marin residents only have to wait a short time before the Mill Valley Smashburger opens next month at East Blithedale and Sunnyside Avenues.