This new smashburger joint is causing a buzz in Madera. ‘Forget the dishes at Smash’
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- Sizzlin’ Smash Burger opened in Madera with fresh angus beef and house sauces.
- The restaurant builds community ties by hiring local students and honoring schools.
- The restaurant's owner grew up in his uncles' pizzerias in Philadelphia.
Moe Utqi and his family wanted to bring something different to Madera.
So, they brought certified, never-frozen angus beef that’s cooked to order and sauces made in-house.
“Nothing is pre-cooked,” Utqi said. “We want to make sure you’re getting the hottest, freshest fries and that your patties are smashed the right way.
The smash burger craze that’s taken Fresno by storm has arrived in the city of Madera.
On Friday, Utqi and his family celebrated the grand opening of their new restaurant, Sizzlin Smash Burger. Located at 1512 Howard Road, its the first burger joint of its kind in Madera.
Word of its arrival has been spreading in town since its soft opening a few weeks ago, when the restaurant began serving up its smashed patties, milkshakes and appetizers, which from fried zucchini sticks to jalapeño poppers and “Sizzlin Smash Fries.”
For many customers, it’s a welcome addition to a Madera restaurant scene that has been diversifying in the recent years with new Japanese, Italian and award-winning barbecue options.
“It’s a new place, and we could always use new places,” said Junior Mendoza, who tried Sizzlin Smash on Friday.
Community roots from Philadelphia to Madera
Utqi lives in Fresno and his brothers live in Madera, though their family’s roots are in Philadelphia.
“I’m a Philly native,” he said, “so, we know a little about food.”
Cooking has been a life-long passion for Utqi, who worked in his uncles’ pizzerias when he was growing up in Philadelphia. So, he said he thought, “If we could do this at home, why don’t we just try feeding people?”
“When you follow something you love doing, you never feel like you’re working,” Utqi said.
In Madera, which Utqi descibed as “one of the most beautiful communities we’ve ever been a part of, the restaurant has seen a lot of support. On Friday, neighbors joined city and county elected officials to celebrate Sizzlin Smash’s arrival as the customer line grew past the door and to the outside.
Utqi said he plans to hang athletics jerseys from Madera’s high schools in the dining room. The restaurant has also hired local students.
“We want people to come in and make sure they connect with their hometown,” he said. “We wanted to make sure that we bring the youth into this because we want to make sure that we’re connecting with the community.”
The restaurant is also aiming to make sure customers feel like they are eating at home when they visit.
But customers can “forget the dishes at Smash,” said Utqi, repeating the restaurant’s slogan.
What are people saying about Sizzlin Smash?
Linda Aleman tried Sizzlin Smash on Friday with her children. She was not shy about her recommendation.
She enjoyed her Sizzlin Smash Basic, which includes a single smashed angus beef patty with cheese and “Sizzlin Sauce” on a potato bun. Aleman also recommended the zucchini.
“If you want a delicious, reasonably-priced place, come here and try it,” she said.
Aleman’s 8-year-old daughter, Ariel, said she liked Sizzlin Smash burger “1000%.”
“Better than McDonald’s,” she said.
Madera County Supervisor Robert Poythress, who visited the restaurant Friday, said there’s been a buzz around Madera about Sizzlin Smash.
“Since it opened a few weeks ago, I know an individual who’s been a vegetarian who’s become a carnivore,” he said during the grand opening. “This is going to be a smashing success.”
This story was originally published July 21, 2025 at 12:06 PM.
