Smashburger Set to Open Wednesday

Slowly but surely, quality, made-to-order burgers are becoming in vogue on Bolingbrook’s west side.

While has long been a staple of The Promenade Bolingbrook shopping center, it was just a few months ago the restaurant opened its second Bolingbrook location near Boughton and Weber roads.

Now, a new burger joint will join the fray as is set to officially open its doors to the public Wednesday.

Smashburger CEO and Chairman Dave Prokupek likened the restaurant, which is based in Denver, to Five Guys, except instead of offering only burgers, Smashburger caters to the tastes of all.

“We certainly run the same kind of business model … a fast casual restaurant, order at the counter and cooked to order,” Prokupek said. “But from there, there are mostly differences. We’ve been really focusing in on a full line of grilled and crispy chicken sandwiches. We have hot dogs and salads.

“We don’t cater to the burger only folks... we have delicious food for everybody,” he said.

The Bolingbrook Smashburger, at 137 N. Weber Road, is the second location in the Chicago area—Smashburger’s first venture into Chicagoland came in .

Prokupek said the Chicago market is important for the company and plans to open other locations in Schaumburg, Darien and Oak Lawn also are in the works.

“Bolingbrook is a really strong market for us,” he said. “The household incomes are really good … it’s just a strong suburban market with really great tenants.”

Unlike Five Guys, Smashburger will sell beer and wine to be served with its food and Prokupek said a partnership with Haagen-Dazs ice cream—all of Smashburgers milk shakes are made with Haagen-Dazs’ ice cream—sets it apart from most other restaurants.

The restaurant will have a VIP sneak-peak of the new Smashburger tonight. After opening to the public Wednesday, it will host a number of festivities and events to raise money for local charities.