Wanna Smash

Let’s get one thing out of the way: Wanna Smash—which reads like a text you’d receive from an unknown number at midnight—is a terrible name. And the cringey sexualized names of the burgers on their menu are even worse. But if you can put all that aside, the over-the-top housemade sauces and topping combinations make this tiny smashburger spot in Van Nuys at least a little different from its competitors. Plus, despite being squished on a flat top within an inch of their life, the griddled meat here still maintains its juiciness. Our go-to is the Hot & Heavy (groan), a double gussied up with bacon strips, sliced jalapenos, pickles, and two kinds of sauces, piled on a potato bun that somehow holds together under the strain.