How many burger joints can Orange County sustain? Apparently plenty, judging from the countless restaurants serving America’s favorite comfort food.
Add one more to the mix: SmorBurgers at the 4th Street Market in Santa Ana.
What makes this burger restaurant different is that the concept comes courtesy of Chef Joe Youkhan, a Food Network “Chopped” champion. The menu is simple—high-quality burgers made with two Angus beef patties and house-made toppings served between garlic-herb Portuguese buns. Add hand-cut fries and a couple of fun side options like loaded fries, and you have a tasty and decadent burger joint in the middle of downtown Santa Ana, which has become an OC dining mecca.
As a lifelong burger fan, I had to try SmorBurgers. Parking for 4th Street Market is easy, and free for the first two hours. The Market has revamped its entire space, with new outdoor dining areas in the rear, and a patio in front with umbrellas.
For my first time at SmorBurgers, I opted to try two: Bourbon BBQ with smoked cheddar, bourbon barbecue sauce, black garlic bacon jam, tomatoes, red onions and Carolina slaw, and the Ultimate Mac & Cheese burger with deep-fried mac and cheese with three different cheeses plus applewood smoked bacon.
Both burgers were impressive, as were the fries. I liked how the mac and cheese was deep fried and placed atop the patties almost like a third patty, so the mac and cheese did not spill out of the bun.
The restaurant’s slogan is “So good you’ll want smor,” and I did indeed go back a week later to try the Umami Bomb with aged swiss, garlic bacon jam, grilled mushrooms and truffle aioli, and the Peruvian Pork Belly Fries—sweet potato fries with crispy pork belly, Amarillo aioli, salsa, cotija cheese, cilantro and scallions.
I’m told the Umami Bomb is the most popular item on the menu. I’m not surprised—it exceeded my expectations with a flood of flavors almost overpowering my taste buds, yet the combination was pure delight.
The sweetness of the fries blended perfectly with the other ingredients in the pork belly dish. I could almost feel the calories in every bite, but I didn’t care. This is fun, satisfying food. I’ll be back for smor.
Open Wednesday-Sunday, noon to 7 p.m.
SmorBurgers: 201 E. 4th St., Santa Ana, (949) 353-9106, smorsburger.com
