Lunch event features smashed burgers

HUNTLEY — Mobile Mondays is a Huntley Area Chamber of Commerce program which gives food vendors a chance to show off their talents.

Kevin Byrnes’ business, SmashD Burgers and Fries, a smash style burger served from his food truck, took center stage at Huntley Area Public Library July 22. Byrnes is a veteran of the US Marine Corps, where he served for nine years.

“I think the event in Huntley went very well. I would like to thank the support from the community and business leaders as well as the library,” Byrnes said.

“I started SmashD Burgers and Fries as a hobby in 2022 to help with mental stress,” Byrnes, of Crystal Lake, commented. “I watched a lot of video and worked on a lot of smashed burgers recipes. Tony Colatori, owner of Cucima Bella in Algonquin, has been a great mentor.”

“We travel to a lot of breweries, to events such as Lakeside Festival in Crystal Lake and Rotary Ribfest in Lake in the Hills, and to private events and companies. We’re pretty well booked,” Byrnes said.

Byrnes said the smashed burger technique is a growing one. His web site has an explanation of the cooking process.

“All Smash’D burgers begin with fresh 80-20 ground chicken rolled into meatballs. We thinly slice and salt sweet onions and jalapeños to create a signature onion, jalapeño, or 50-50 Smash’D, on top of our smoking hot griddle. All Smash’D burgers are topped with our burger sauce and American cheese and are placed onto a butter-toasted brioche bun.”

A 2002 graduate of Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake, Byrnes then enlisted in the US Marine Corps. His career included deployments to Iraq, and to Afghanistan and also to Kosovo. His military background as a Marine, where he gained Staff Sergeant Six rank, is important to him.

“It builds a sense of leadership qualities, perseverance until the job is done, a sense of patriotism and taking care of your troops,” Byrnes said.

For more information on SmashD Burgers and Fries, visit www.SmashD BurgersAndFries.com or email @SmashDBurgersAndFries.com; phone 815-348-7530.

Huntley Area Chamber of Commerce Mobile Mondays are held from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Future dates are: Aug. 5, Your Sister’s Tomato at Huntley Springs Retirement Resort; Aug. 19, Del Toro Street Taco at Christ Community Church; Sept. 16, Smash’D Burgers and Fries at A to Z Chiropractor & Physical Therapy and Sept. 30, Del Toro Street Taco at Hansen Heating, Plumbing and Air Conditioning.