Smashburgers have long bypassed the 'flavor of the month' phase and have planted its flag as a mainstay on menus everywhere. Thanks to the perfection in its simplicity, people have developed a regular craving for the burgers known for its crispy, lattice-like patties that give way to morsels of tenderness.

Unexpectedly, Buffalo Wild Wings, the chain sports bar known for their chicken wings, picked up on the smashburgers movement gaining momentum back in 2019, as they quietly added them to the menu in March of that year.

Fast forward to now and you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who is even aware that Buffalo Wild Wings has smashburgers — and ones that surprisingly didn't fall victim to the quality issues chain restaurants run into, thus giving them such an ignominious reputation.

Flip to the 'Burgers' section in the BWW menu and you'll see the following lineup, all of which are smashburgers:

- All-American Cheeseburger
- Cheese Curd Bacon Burger
- Smoked Brisket Burger
- Southwestern Black Bean Burger
- Bacon Smashed Hatch Chile Burger

Though the burger patties lack the assertive crisp and latticework pattern found in well-executed smashburgers, they still were flavorful, juicy, and the perfect dance partner for all the melty cheese its adorned with. No, they're not amazing smashburgers, but sometimes being "surprisingly good" earns its place in your culinary rotation — a pleasant surprise coming from a joint known for chicken wings.