The Single Onion Smash
Wisconsin Ave. Lunch Co.
86.9/ 100points.
Verdict: Worth the Detour
Worth going out of your way for.
“One patty, no excuses.”
The Score
PattyShow definition17.5 / 20
Beef flavor, seasoning, crust, juiciness, texture, and doneness.
BunShow definition13.5 / 15
Freshness, structure, flavor, and whether it holds through the final bite.
BuildShow definition13.0 / 15
Cheese, sauce, toppings, and whether every ingredient earns its place.
BalanceShow definition17.5 / 20
The proportion of richness, salt, acidity, fat, crunch, and sweetness.
ExecutionShow definition13.0 / 15
Temperature, melt, assembly, timing, and structural integrity.
ValueShow definition9.0 / 10
Whether the burger feels worth the price.
Return FactorShow definition3.4 / 5
Whether we would go back for it—and how soon.
Total86.9/ 100
Worth the Detour
The Report
A single-patty smashburger from a small counter off Wisconsin Avenue. Onions pressed thin, American cheese, pickles, and nothing else. It is the most disciplined burger on the Board.
With one patty there is nowhere to hide, and it does not need to. The beef is well seasoned and seared hard, and the onions are sliced paper-thin so they melt into the crust. The bun is a plain potato roll, lightly toasted. The build is close to ideal for the size. What is missing is a second patty's worth of richness, which is the point of ordering a single.
At $10.75 it is among the best values on the Board. If you are hungry, order two singles instead of a double. It is an ideal solo lunch in Georgetown when you would rather not commit to a sit-down.