Smash, a fast-casual burger restaurant from the team behind Glen Ellen Star and Stella, is getting ready to open in Sonoma at 497 1st Street West.
The team’s new concept will occupy the ground floor of a historic early-1900s bank building near Sonoma Plaza, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. While an exact opening date has not been announced, the restaurant is expected to debut in May 2026. Created by chef Ari Weiswasser and managing partner Spencer Waite, Smash will introduce a hyperlocal take on the classic burger concept.
The new concept leans into a more casual format while maintaining the same focus on sourcing and execution found in the team’s full-service restaurants. Located just steps from Sonoma Plaza, the restaurant will benefit from steady foot traffic and its proximity to the central park. The area allows open container alcohol consumption during certain daytime hours, giving customers the option to take drinks and food into the plaza.
In addition to the ground-floor restaurant, the team will also operate The Beacon, a speakeasy located on the second floor of the building. Smash will provide the full food menu upstairs, while The Beacon will offer cocktails that can also be served downstairs. This setup creates a connected experience between the two spaces while allowing each to maintain a distinct identity.
The menu is expected to feature a range of smashburgers, including single and double, as well as more elevated versions, alongside fried chicken sandwiches, including a Nashville hot option. Additional offerings will include fries, tater tots, salads, and vegetarian items like a falafel smashburger. Gluten-free buns and seasonal salads will also be available.
Ingredients and sourcing will play a key role in the concept, with bread supplied by Napa Baking Company and produce coming from Glentucky Family Farm. The team is also developing multiple bun options and finalizing a custom beef blend for its burgers.
“This is our take on the classic burger spot,” the team shared on Instagram. “Smashed burgers with crispy edges, fried chicken sandwiches, fries, shakes, cocktails… all built with the same attention to detail we care about, just in a way that’s a little more everyday.”
