Well-seasoned smash burgers at Southeast Portland's Steely's

Well-seasoned smash burgers at Southeast Portland's Steely's

Smash burgers have become the norm in recent years, but finding a good one is still a challenge.

What to expect: Steely's, a new spot on Southeast Hawthorne, delivers with tasty burgers, a nice tap list of beers and ample space to take a date, watch a game or even get some remote work done.

The menu: The standard smasher comes as the "looper," while the "looper deluxe" adds caramelized onions.

  • You'll also find fried chicken, bologna and beet sandwiches alongside chicken wings, wedge and beet salads, a chocolate chip cookie and, of course, fries.

    • Best bites: I went for the deluxe burger option, which came with well-seasoned patties — crisp on the edges, but not too dry — with a hit of sweetness from the onions and offset by the tang of sliced pickles.

    Tastiness incoming. Photo: Kale Williams/Axios

  • It checked all the smash burger boxes for me, though the bottom bun got soggy a little more quickly than I would've liked.

    • The vibe: Steely's has several communal hi-top tables, bar seating, three booths and a red-leather banquette lining one wall, with outlets nearby.

    If you go: Steely's (4343 Southeast Hawthorne) is open 4pm to 10pm Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon to 11pm Fridays and Saturdays and noon to 9pm Sundays.