Smash burger vs thick burger: which is better?

By DesiSmash by Chef Hass · Nov 2026 · 3 min read

The Triple Threat, three 2.5 oz smash patties stacked

A smash burger is thin, crisp-edged and full of browned flavour, while a thick burger is taller, softer and juicier in the middle. Neither is simply better. They are two different ways to cook mince, and they suit different moods.

People often ask whether a smash burger beats a thick pub-style burger. The honest chef's answer is that it depends what you want from the bite. Here is a fair comparison, so you know what to expect when you order.

The main differences at a glance

Thickness. A smash patty is pressed down to around a centimetre or less. A thick burger is usually 2 cm or more and often 6 oz or heavier.
Crust. Smash burgers have a wide, crunchy, deeply browned surface. Thick burgers brown outside but have far less crust compared with the amount of meat.
Juiciness. Thick burgers hold more juice in a soft centre. Smash burgers feel juicy because the fat fries the edges and the cheese and sauce add moisture.
Cook time. A smash patty cooks in a couple of minutes. A thick patty needs several minutes and care to cook through safely without drying the outside.
Toppings. Smash burgers are usually stacked, two or three patties, so you get crust in every layer. Thick burgers lean on the one big patty.

Why smash burgers get more flavour

Flavour from cooking comes largely from browning, and browning happens on the surface. A thin disc has a lot more surface for the same amount of meat than a thick puck does. That gives a smash burger more of the roasted, savoury taste people chase. If you love the crispy edge of a roast potato, you already understand the appeal.

Where a thick burger wins

A thick patty is hard to beat when you want a soft, tender bite with a big meaty centre, or when you want to cook it your own way on a barbecue. It is also more forgiving to leave on a grill for a few extra moments. Either way, the Food Standards Agency advises cooking burgers all the way through, so a thick patty needs the time to get there.

Which should you order?

Choose a smash burger if you want:

Crispy, lacy edges and a savoury, roasted flavour.
A burger that arrives fast and eats easily without falling apart.
More than one patty, such as a double or our Triple Threat, with three 2.5 oz smashed patties.

Choose a thick burger if you want:

A soft, tall burger you can load with lots of toppings.
A single big patty and a slower, more relaxed meal.

Does a smash burger fill you up?

Yes, because it is stacked. A double smash has two patties, and the meal deals with fries and a can make a full dinner. The patties are thin, but they are not small portions. If you are hungry, go for a double or the Triple Threat.

How DesiSmash does it

Every DesiSmash burger is a double smash on a butter-toasted brioche bun, except the Triple Threat. Chef Hass smashes each patty to order on a very hot griddle, so you get the crust straight off the heat rather than a patty that has been waiting. You can choose a classic Original patty with salt and pepper, or the Desi patty with chilli, coriander, ginger-garlic and house-roasted spices, in beef or chicken. We are cooking Friday to Sunday and serving Leicester and Glenfield.

If you want to understand the method, read what a smash burger is, or try making one at home with our step-by-step method.