A month for meat candy

By April Corbin

Monday, May 10, 2010 | 6 p.m.

Deciding how to celebrate National Burger Month is one of May’s most daunting challenges — right behind admitting to yourself that the itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini from last summer didn’t shrink; you’re just fatter. Luckily for lovers of plump patties, Smashburger has you covered.

The burger joint, located on Lake Mead Boulevard near Buffalo Drive, has packed May full of special deals in observance of the month-long burger bonanza that is National Burger Month. For the truly dedicated, there’s the Biggest Smashburger Fan competition, which is looking for someone who loves burgers so much they use the restaurant’s 100-percent Certified Angus Beef as a pillow. The dedicated must send a YouTube video link or picture that best illustrates their love for what Smashburger calls its “meat candy.”

For those whose Angus appetites aren’t all-encompassing, Smashburger is offering specials, redeemable by members of its e-mail list. Beginning today until May 13, all Smashburgers will include a free side of Smashfries, which they demand you eat with co-sponsor Heinz Ketchup. Then, from May 18 to 20, whole families who come into the restaurant will get the pleasure of getting one of their kid’s meals free — hopefully the middle child’s meal, because that forgotten soul needs some special attention. Finally, on May 25, if you treat a friend to a Smashburger, you’ll get a 1/3 lb. All-American Smashburger.

The good times don’t end there. Smashburger’s also gone digital! The restaurant is holding a Twitter contest that asks Tweeps to obtain clues to meet up with a clandestine “sizzle squad” and awkwardly yell out, “I love Smashburger” in order to receive a gift certificate. If you’re too lazy to follow @SmashburgerLV, you could also just scream your love for the fast-casual restaurant every five minutes. Who knows? Maybe you’ll get lucky.

If all those promotions are the burger, bun and ketchup (Heinz, of course), the Golden Smashticket is the extra-special ingredient (relish, maybe, or Skittles) that can make your burger extra nom-nom-nommy. On May 28, which is apparently the National Burger Day within National Burger Month, one lucky customer who buys a Smashburger will score a Golden Smashticket, which scores them free Smashburgers, Smashsides and Coca-Cola fountain drinks for one whole year. That sweet heaping of meat candy would make even Willy Wonka jealous.