Mijas sees thousands flock to the smash burger frenzy

Mijas hosts its first ever The Champions Burger Smash Edition. This gourmet smash burger event on the Costa del Sol has been packed with thousands of curious and hip people, prompting queues of up to 100 waiting for a taste of some of the most colourful, tasty and smash burgers. 

The cooking method is what makes a smash-burger different from others. Although the origin of the smash burger is debated, the most common story credits a fry-cook at Dairy Cheer Ashland in Kentucky, during the 1960s. Bill Culvertson hired the cook who discovered that by pressing the flattened ground beef into a can, it would produce more flavour due to the better contact of the heat. The burger was subsequently dubbed the “smash”. The result is an edged flat patty which has a richer, more juicier and tasty centre.

At the Las Lagunas Feria grounds, the event runs until Sunday, 31st August. It features 18 restaurants that present their unique creations using food trucks. They are all competing to win the title of Spain’s Best Smash Burger. Free entry to the festival has led to traffic jams caused by visitors of all age groups.

They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are topped with sauces such as smoked mayonnaise and Al-Capone. To add to the uniqueness of each burger, it comes with toppings such as Pringles (or gold dust), “gubbins”, and other unidentified items. Gottan Grill offers a pair of free blue rubber gloves for eating.

The Champions Burger is now in its 8th year and brings together the top burger places from all over the country. This event aims to increase the creativity, quality and variety of gourmet hamburgers while also encouraging new establishments. The 20 top voted burger places will compete in the finals to determine Spain’s best smash-burger recipe after the 2025 national tour.

In a fierce competition that spanned 18 locations, and included over 100 burger restaurants, Malaga’s Gottan Grill won the title for Spain’s Best Burger last year with its Lil Wayne, which was inspired by the American singer. The championship has attracted nearly three millions visitors. It is now the most popular culinary competition in the country.

The Champions Burger Smash Edition is on display at the Las Lagunas Feria grounds until August 31. It is recommended that you visit during the week early before 7pm or late after 10.30pm to avoid queues.