Small's Smash Club

I've been following Smalls Smash Club for years. They have been to a ton of local wineries and breweries. When they announced their brick and mortar store I was so pumped! Today was their opening day and they were amazing. Perfectly smashed burgers with excellent small sauce with fries and onion rings. We also ordered white wine bottle which pairs so well with the simple but absolutely delicious food. This is the definition of amazing local eats and can't wait to smash another one soon. The decor, vibes and food make the perfect mix of what I love about San Clemente.

This place is an absolute must-try. The burgers are perfectly cooked, with a crispy, caramelized crust on the outside while staying juicy and tender on the inside. You can tell they use high-quality ingredients because the flavor is just incredible. The service here is top-notch too! The staff are super friendly and attentive, making sure you have everything you need. It’s clear they really care about giving you a great experience.

Good overall. It’s cool that they cook with beef tallow! We all liked the burger. You get what is expected, but it tastes good. The fries were good as well and have a seasoning on them. I wouldn’t go out of my way to eat here, but the next time I’m in the area I would come back

Burger was incredible, and with the chilies it’s perfection! The Tallow fries with the smalls sauce were perfectly seasoned! Service was friendly and quick even with tons of orders ahead of ours. We will be coming back!

I’m a burger guy, so when I heard about this smash burger spot, I had to try ASAP. Pulled up and ordered a double smash, a brew, and onion rings. The space is great, a chill laid back burger joint that has plenty of seating and character. The burger was extraordinary, a classic smash packed with juicy flavor, the onion rings were crispy and delicious and the fries were cut just right with the right amount of crispiness. Someone’s got to tell me what’s in the secret sauce. Overall it was a great experience and I look forward to my next visit.

Food and service is beyond amazing! Smalls Smash Club makes the perfect burger. A most go to spot!

Just what San Clemente was missing! The fries cooked in beef tallow are SO good. I don’t know what’s in the smash sauce, but it’s incredible! A tad pricey, but you get what you pay for!!

Hands down the best smash burger I’ve ever had! The fries were perfectly crispy and unforgettable. Great food, friendly service, and a fun vibe! can’t wait to come back

Today was my first visit to this restaurant, but I was definitely in the mood for a burger so I decided to give it a try. It's very easy to find just off Estrella next to the old movie theaters ...it's a very cute restaurant from the outside and even cuter on the inside! It has indoor and outdoor seating as well as some bar seating. You order at the counter and go find your seat and they bring your food out to you. And for me, the best part was that the staff wear T-shirts that say "you're killing me, smalls" on the back of their T-shirt, which made me chuckle because that's what I say to my little dog pretty much every day that I walk him when he's smelling every blade of grass! It's a very simple menu... they offer three versions of a burger with either french fries or onion rings and some miscellaneous added toppings. For drinks they offer the typical soda drinks plus beer and wine. What I found interesting is that it is truly a smashed burger so I ordered a single thinking that it would be thicker, but it was very flat so now I see why you can get two or three patties!! I thought it was really good but if you're a guy, I would say you'd want at least three patties! I added the onion rings which I found delicious, they were crunchy and perfectly cooked. And I have to add that this burger and onion rings came out to me in like five minutes. They're super fast! I'm not sure this would be a dinner place for me, but it's perfect for lunch. Unfortunately I did not take any photos of my food, but here's a photo of the interiors.

We really wanted to love this place and were excited to try it. Unfortunately it didn't live up to the hype. The service was just ok, burgers were overcooked/burnt, their soda machine was broken. They give you ketchup and mustard in packets. Overpriced for what you get! UPDATE: the owner of this establishment takes criticism poorly! Thankfully everyone is entitled to their own opinion and taste. Very unfortunate for a business who would benefit from local support. For the record, I HAVE had smashburgers before and this place just didn't do!

I've had smash burgers before but never like this one. Their menu is simple, as are the options. Can you take ingredients off the burger if you wish (pickles, onions) I had a single smash burger combo with everything on it but their special sauce. The burger was good. The meat was however a bit dry, the edges were of course crispy bit overall the patty was so flat it definitely needed the sauce. I love grilled meats/well done, so it wasn't the biggest if deals. However, I must say it was definitely on the dryer end. In the end I ended up adding some of the sauce. They had solid fries. The place is small but with enough seating. It looks so long to eat a burger. The staff is nice and friendly.

I came here on a Saturday night to get my Small's smashburger fix. It was slightly crowded with most tables filled. We opted for the bartop. I tried a glass of the Big Orange wine and loved every sip! The taste was unique and yummy. I'm itching to try the other 2 natural wines they have in stock! The bartop is rather plain with not much to look at but the menu or the TV. The food came out incredibly fast. The fries are always so tasty fried in tallow. The burger itself was delicious and cooked to perfection. The double patty burger I got left me stuffed! This is the perfect spot for a casual bite and drink.

We had heard about Smalls on our last trip to SC and were anxious to try them. The new store is really nice, bright and clean. Service was very good and the burgers were excellent. The fry order very large and tasty. We did find our fries were pretty oversalted with their. seasoned salt. Otherwise our meals were terrific and we look forward to returning on our next trip down this way.

We came to try this new spot since we've been hearing such great things. Their menu is simple, you can either do combos which comes with a drink & fries or you can sub the fries for onion rings for $2.. or order just the burger by itself as a single, double, triple. Then there are side extras ie/ extra cheese, patty, jalapeño, raw onion, fountain drink.. The kids did enjoy their burger, and tallow fries were a hit (made me feel maybe less guilty eating all of them) The one thing I would like to see is just more options for kids when it comes to drinks. It was soda or Gatorade (none that my kids drink) I'm used to some kind of refreshing drink.. even a lemonade option would have been nice. Service was great, and it didn't take long to get our food. The decor inside is very cozy, relaxed and I did like the sitting area that makes it seem like you are in your own living room. All in all. It was a good burger.

I came to Small's Smash Club today after hearing a lot of really positive things. I love the whole vibe, it feels very fresh, clean and just what we need in San Clemente. This shopping center has been kind of dead since the closing of the Krikorian, so it's really nice to see some new restaurants popping up! I came on a Tuesday around 12:30 and it was super busy. Found a table outside. One thing that was odd to me was that when I attempted paying with cash, I was told that they couldn't because the change would need to be less then $10 (even though I didn't see a sign about that or anything). I got a grilled cheese with everything on it, and fries, while my friend got a plain double smash. For me, the grilled cheese was ok. I wasn't throughly impressed, but it was still tasty enough. The fries were also pretty good. I'd love to see a few more items for vegetarians, but other than that, I'm happy I got to try them finally. I also love their tag line "you're grilling me smalls." Very cute and clever!

There's been a lot of buzz about this place so I was excited to finally have the opportunity to try it and man oh man was it satisfying! I placed a takeout order for onion rings and a single burger, added an extra patty, and added raw onions. The smash burger was uniquely delicious with the crispy beef and I loved that the onion rings were fried in tallow. I was helped by a nice bartender and who was very polite and positive. I asked for a side of the yellow peppers which he kindly gave me. When I got back to my car, I opened the box and saw the amount of food inside and realized one side of smalls sauce was not going to cut it. I went back inside to purchase another with my credit card in hand, and they gave it to me for free which was very nice. I'm already looking forward to returning and trying their natural wines and tallow French fries! THANK YOU TO THE FRIENDLY EMPLOYEES!

The smashburgers were soooo good. Exactly what we needed. I had the Surf Ghetto beer and my husband had the Lo-vis hazy ipa and a double smashburger. Super cute place. Vibes for sure. Seems like a local spot. Will be back for sure!! Servers were friendly.

The burger was great, the Monster Blind Lemon Hard Lemonades were a nice surprise, and the fries were great tasting as well. Also, friendly and attentive service. We will definitely be back !

Been here twice now. First time when it just opened the wait was pretty crazy. This time we got our burgers in like 5 minutes. This place is FIRE. Don't let the couple bad reviews steer you different. Local spot that serves a real smash. Come try it out. Cheers!

My husband picked up a double smash burger and onion rings. The smash burger was crispy on the edges just as you would expect a Smash burger to be. It was seasoned well and was so good! The onion rings were crispy and yummy. Service with Alec was awesome!! They do pup burgers too. Thats a bonus in my book. So glad Small's opened near by!! if you love a good Smash burger and crispy, yummy onion rings run to this place!!

Best Smash Burger in town! Let's start with the food. For such an affordable price, you're getting really high-quality ingredients. The onion rings and fries are fried in beef tallow, and as someone with digestive issues, I was thrilled to finally enjoy fried food without any discomfort afterward. I haven't been able to eat onion rings outside of my own kitchen in years, so it was such a treat to enjoy something that tasted amazing and made me feel good afterward. As for the smash burger, it's exactly what you'd hope for. I got the double patty and it is by exact definition a SMASHED burger. The crispy edges of the beef patty pairs perfectly with their house sauce. Simply straightforward, and delicious! The ambience is also very fresh and welcoming. In addition to a reasonable amount of tables, there's a bar and a couch with board games making it great for a hangout spot! The style and artwork is also purely San Clementian. Very Beachy vibes. Finally, we were greeted by the friendliest host ever! He made sure we understood what was on the menu and offered us free drink refills and extra cups of water. Honestly, I didn't know what to expect going in and I was more than satisfied with my experience. From the delicious food to the welcoming service, this is my new favorite restaurant in the San Clemente area!

Best burger and onion rings in town. Service is quick and friendly. Cute decor inside. We love the couch/lounge style dining in the corner. Very kid friendly and adult drinks for the parents ;). Burgers are big and delicious. We love this spot

i saw this new smash burger place pop up on yelps months ago, and have been meaning to try it since. the restaurant looks super cute, clean, and newly remodeled. we got greeted by a very nice lady the second we walked in, and she was so helpful and welcoming- absolutely love her. at first, we ordered a double smash with jalapeños + fries and onion rings. random side note, i love that they fry with beef tallow here!! all the food came out within 10 minutes and everything was fresh and piping hot. everything tasted amazing, tens across the board- literally no complaints. we liked it so much, we ended up ordering a second burger. just from the service alone, i would definitely come back.

Small menu but the burgers are awesome and affordable. Convenient location. Great beer selection. Good service. Have been here a couple times and will keep coming back.

I really like my gluten-free cheese free, pizza place that was here before and I am surprised that people are eating so unhealthy in San Clemente. I was looking for something reasonably edible on the menu for special needs eaters like me. The best feature is the cute name. They have some nice craft beers but need to have gluten free ale as well! Parking is easy and the employees are nice

Really solid food and good portions. Awesome service. Top notch reggae/ska music. Also super cool that they have YUTH magazines here too!!

10/10! This place just opened and has already blown us away... so much so that we came here two days in a row! The staff is so welcoming and helpful. The burgers are true smash burgers with crispy edges. The Small's sauce is money, fries and onion rings are flavorful on their own & crispy (but even better when you dip them in the smalls sauce). They serve Coke products and have a variety of beers on tap (& I believe a selection of wines) We are local and this spot will definitely be put into our weekly rotation!

We were visiting the area and found this restaurant on a TikTok. We took their word for it and plugged the address in the GPS and headed over here. We are grateful for that TikTok because these are delicious burgers fries, and a really cute diner It's basically like an animal style smash burger . We decided we're always stopping here when in the area because it is too delicious..

The food is squished and it just tastes delicious and the secret sauce is perfectly taste well

Quality ingredients and fast service. I've tried it twice and both times were great. String fries are fresh. If you want a quick smash and fries in South OC this is worth a stop.

Best smash burger in OC and the fries We're top notch. Plenty of seating and quick service.

This has been one of my favorite Smashburger spots come here often. Even better than some of LA's best atmosphere is awesome even though I don't rate about atmosphere. Has a good beer selection great fries very nice staff and very clean.

Smash burgers and tallow fries? What more can you ask for This was an absolutely delicious meal to try on a hot day in sunny San Clemente. Great new burger addition to the town. They have a super cute western surf theme going on in the restaurant, very aesthetic. I got a single smash burger combo, my boyfriend the double burger added jalepenos no combo and they still hooked him up with fries. Both burgers came out perfectly crispy and loaded with sauce, the fries had the best seasoning on them. Fountain drink cups are small but that's fine - we got a Los Molinos margarita seltzer with ab all natural juice base. Highly recommend! Next time I will probably try one of their natural wine selections. Reason for four stars instead of five: -couldn't find certification if meat is grass fed/finished -prices are a little high but justified if meat is grass fed/finished like point above -I loveeeee pickles but for some reason I thought they forgot the pickles in my burger while eating because they lacked flavor and crisp, maybe just a bad batch Overall, a great burger and experience. Definitely recommend to anyone who lives around here and has heard the hype - it's worth it.

Been meaning to check this place out after seeing all the buzz on the San Clemente Facebook page--and it did not disappoint! I really enjoyed the "$5 mystery beer" -- I assumed it would be draft, but it came in a can (still totally worth it for five bucks!). The vibe and taste of the food were both spot-on, especially for a newly opened restaurant. You can tell a lot of thought went into the concept. That said, the prices felt a bit high for a smash burger, but I get it -- inflation is real. At the end of the day, I don't mind paying a bit more when the food is this good. Definitely planning to come back again!

The burger here is tasty and delicious. The interior is also very well done. My only feedback is the price for the burger is very high. If I wanted to order two burgers, that's $30 just for me. The services was great too. Love the onion rings. The special sauce didn't have flavor or kick to it. I would go back on special occasions and I hope they can offer a lower price on the burgers. Maybe a happy house for burgers.

I still give it 5 stars cause the product when done correctly is sooo good, BUT there may be some consistency issues I am hoping they can figure out. First visit was A+++ for the food. So much so, we returned a week later. The second visit, we got the same order (double burger with just one slice of cheese), BUT the meat was too dry. Probably a matter of timing on the grill. Also, the fries were not as hot and were likely sitting before they were served. Hopefully these opening inconsistencies will be worked out. Please please.

I was sadly disappointed by this burger as I expected it to be a bit better based off so many people saying it's the best smash burger! The bun was super sweet and the special sauce just didn't hit as well as I expected. That being said, the price is right and the atmosphere is fun and liked the fries!

This place serves a TRUE smashburger. Thin, crispy patty smothered in homemade sauce... just the way I want my burger to be. The fries are a decent sized portion, easily feeding 2-3. Yes, the food is pricey compared to other burgers spots... but quality food ain't cheap. Also great beer options and friendly service. Well worth the visit.

I love burgers. And I especially love smash burgers. So this place is my sweet spot. But even in a crowded sea of smash burger places, Small's takes the prize. I consider us lucky to have this gem in San Clemente. Beef tallow fries the way they were meant to be done. Perfect bun to complement the crispy goodness of the seasoned meat and a homemade sauce that kicks in all the right ways. Jordan and team - you're awesome. Thanks for being here!

Ambiance is chill and friendly. Great burgers and fries. Great all around place to get a burger and beer.

If you're looking for a great classic smash burger, Small's is the place to go. Their burgers are delicious and the service is great-- their staff is very friendly. Wait time is also pretty quick for how busy they get. It would be nice for their phone to be connected at some point so that customers can call to ask any questions about the business. But other than that, I would recommend this place!

Got to check this place out while camping at Doheny beach. It's close enough for a quick bike ride so that was nice. The burger tasted great but it was a tad bit salty, the pickles and house sauce def helped. The fries were good but a little too crispy for my liking (next time I'll try to order them lightly fried) would def recommend trying this place out if you're in the area.

First time here! A brand new hidden gem in San Clemente. The food was very fresh and delicious, the lady at the counter was really friendly, nice, and awesome, amazing upbeat music, and I had such a great time. The buns were soft, and the fry sauce was savory.

This new place is great and worth a visit. Smashburgers have been a trendy thing for a while now, but so many places do not do it as well as Small's Smash Club. Too many just serve a thin burger that does not have the caramelized crust that you find here. That feature adds both taste and texture to the ground beef. In addition, they fry the onion rings and the French fries in beef tallow, which was what used to make McDonald's fries so fantastic. That fat adds so much flavor. In addition, they have a great selection of local craft beers and a few "natural" wines (which I'm not clear on that that description means, but I'm OK with it). There's an impressive mural on the wall, and I love the reference to "Sandlot" on the staff member's shirts ("You're Grilling me, Smalls!") Anyhow, this is a great place, you order at the counter, and they call out your number when the food has been cooked to order. One table outside, comfortable and clean seating inside. Definitely worth a visit.

Stopped in on our way through the OC and we will definitely be back! Best smash burger I've had since the trend started! The patties were perfectly crispy and the fries were SO GOOD! The line moved quickly and the GM holding down the front of house is such an asset to this business! The man hustled and smiled the whole time! My family loved the onion rings and they aren't my favorite usually but they were the best beer battered onion ring I've ever had because the onions had an easy bite and didn't just pull out of the breading like so often happens. The only wish I have is that I'd love to see more sauce options to dip fries in or put on the burgers. Would gladly pay .50 for some ranch or a garlic aioli or something to kick it up a notch.

I don't like giving negative reviews. But, people, at least I do, use Yelp as a resource whether a restaurant establishment is a place that I want to try. The primary reason that I was disappointed was that the burger patties were not crispy on the outer edges of the burger patties. That is one of the primary well known and satisfying characteristic of a smash burger. Not with this burger. I was surprised about that very basic miss.

Tried this place today - it was so good! 3 singles, all prepared slightly different and 1 grilled cheese with an order of French fries and onion rings. We loved everything; even our very picky 7 year old who ate his entire grilled cheese. The service was friendly and the lady who was expediting food, and doing the odd jobs (taking out the trash, wiping tables) was hustling! Phew! All with a smile and a welcoming attitude. We were lucky enough to find a table for the four of us right away, but as we left there were quite a few people waiting. This place is popular! Love to see that. We will be back!!

I have another favorite place to eat in San Clemente! The food is terrific, made to order and it seemed really easy for them to accommodate my unique diet. No pepper in the whole place! The onion rings are the best I've ever had. Smash burger equally amazing. The service is terrific, the staff is kind and very efficient, too! It's a small place but cozy feeling. It you want a great smash burger, Smalls is one of the best ever!

Just tried for the first time... my husband took a bite and said "this might be the best burger I have ever had." I have to agree! So good! The fries are also incredible! I wasn't expecting much from another burger place but I was definitely wrong!! Burgers and fries were insanely good! Way to go Smalls! This might be our go to for burgers! Definitely worth the money!

Wow what a delicious burger this place has! The staff were very friendly when I walked in. I ordered the single burger with fries. It wad absolutely delicious and love the fact that the fries are cooked in beef tallow. The place has the cutest interior and is very clean. I also love that it's in a shopping mall so it's easy to find parking. Will definitely be back!

Wow! This burger is AMAZING. my honey and I picked up a couple of burgers to go and the service was fast, kind, and helpful. It only took about 10-15 minutes to order and grab it, which was nice! The quality of the burger itself surpassed our expectations. The patty was very juicy, the cheese rich, and the sauce perfectly balanced. This is hands down my new favorite craft burger joint and can't wait to go back. Next time we will be sure to dine in because the restaurant looks very inviting and friendly, with plenty of seating!

I loooooove this place, family owned and great service and i swear the burgers always hit. The people leaving bad reviews must be karen's because i've NEVER had a bad experience :) Plus the boxes they put the food in are so darn cute lol. 100000/10, would come again and again! Best pickles ever too.

Love this place! Burgers and onion rings are so good!!! The staff is also very friendly!

Elite smash burger, awesome staff, laid back OC vibes! This is a joint that actually SMASHES the patty. Crisp edges, rich flavor, in house special sauce with pickles.

Smalls Smash burgers are legit! Loved the service and enjoy our time at the establishment. We loved them at South O Brewing. Staff are awesome and I'll look forward to coming back...

Easily one of the best smash burgers I've ever had...crispy edges, super juicy, and full of flavor. The onion rings were perfectly crunchy, and the beef tallow fries were so bomb. Everything was so good. The whole vibe of the place is awesome too..cool atmosphere, great energy. 100% coming back soon! Toddler approved!

Super super inviting place for a fast casual fantastic burger. Legit the perfect smashburger with the overhang, fantastic pickles and spread. Fries were cooked to perfection. Onion rings were solid as well. Service was friendly and helpful navigating the food and beverage options. Will be going back again at least once a week. Request - pick up a seltzer option on the alcohol options.