Where in Vancouver can you find a Seth Rogen-themed bathroom (with a surprise push-button dance party), a cocktail named after Ryan Reynolds, an impressive drinks line-up (including a flight of boozy slushies), an incredible menu of game-themed burgers and sides, and tons of retro video and arcade games, all in one place?
The answer is Glitch Retro Arcade Bar and Super Smash Burgers in Kitsilano (2287 W Broadway).
Open for a few years now, the Glitch crew is behind the impressive bar menu, the colourful conversation-starting decor, and the mind-blowing selection of games on multiple platforms. However, late last year the arcade bar brought on a fresh food concept to operate out of the venue, replacing a short-lived taco venture and Mimi's Burgers before that.
Super Smash Burgers is the project of industry veteran chefs and partners who are not only injecting their talent into the menu but also making noteworthy business choices that allow them to support marginalized - particularly Indigenous - youth.
Joseph Brown and Vernon Black met when they both worked as chefs for Yaggers, the now-defunct sports pub that at one point had two Vancouver locations. The duo jumped at the chance to take the next step to create and operate their own concept to house at Glitch, and went for a gaming-themed concept with a tight menu of crushable handhelds and sides that can be enjoyed onsite alongside the games and drinks, or for takeout and delivery.
Super Smash Burgers: What's on the menu?
The Super Smash Burgers menu features, as the name indicates, the iconic smashburger, executed beautifully by Brown, who makes the patties with fresh (never frozen) certified Angus beef and smashes them to create stunning crispy, flavourful lacy edges. Available as singles, doubles, or even triples, these are easily some of Vancouver's best smashburgers.
You can "power up" your burger with add-ons like Applewood bacon or caramelized onion, or go for a veggie burger (the Leafeon, which is a name any Pokémon fan will recognize) or the fried chicken burger, which is a dupe for the iconic McChicken - only this features a plump, juicy piece of chicken along with shredded lettuce, pickles, and special sauce. One of their fun sides is the "Shaking Gems" which are tater tots tossed in a paper bag with seasoning, adding a fun interactive element to your meal.
For those who want to do a little good alongside tucking into a burger feast should keep an eye on the menu for Super Smash's "Do Good Things" special, which is a burger created and offered as a fundraiser for a different local cause each month.
Right now they're doing a smashburger with sauteed mushrooms and gooey cheese, and $1 from each burger sold goes to The Heart Tattoo Society, which helps feed those experiencing homelessness on the DTES.
Black says that he and Brown carefully select the recipient organizations, putting an emphasis on supporting groups that work with members of the Indigenous or queer communities - or both.
In fact, Black and Brown make a concerted effort to make Super Smash Burger an employer that offers living wages and a safe space for young workers who may struggle to find employment or who need flexibility due to school schedules. Being a place where employees want to come to work and pick up extra shifts, is a source of great pride at Super Smash Burgers, says Black, who also works by day as a legal assistant for a pro-bono legal clinic serving the Indigenous community.
Thanks to Super Smash Burgers' initial popularity, the restaurant operation is hiring new staff to meet the demand for in-person and online orders, and is also looking into potential expansion of the brand.
If you want a fun, immersive, and delicious experience you can head into Glitch to play some games, have some drinks, and crush some burgers.
Watch: Checking out the food, drinks, and retro games at Glitch and Super Smash Burgers
@forkingawesomevia Seth Rogen vs Ryan Reynolds 🎮🚦🍔🍹 #forkingawesome #vancouverbc #smashburgers ♬ Coconut Mall (From "Mario Kart Wii") - Arcade Player
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