One Of The Best New Fast Food Sandwiches Of 2026 Comes From A Classic Burger Chain
Sonic is known for its retro concept and an extensive drink menu that includes quality shakes, slushes, and limeades.
“Something about the patties [tastes] off ... It's the char flavor being really intense due to the patties being so thin, combined with lack of seasoning,”
Offered as a two- or three-patty burger, the item has a simple ingredient list: hand-smashed, cooked-to-order Angus beef, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, ketchup, and mayo on a potato bun. Additionally, customers can order it with or without bacon. Sonic initially released a $6 combo including the All-American Smasher, tots or fries, and a medium drink. Though billed as a limited release, the burger is still on the menu as of this writing.
Rave reviews have rolled in since the item's unveiling. "It is much better than anything from the big three and gives Culver's a run for its money... Everything tasted fresh, the tomatoes were good, and the beef was crispy on the edges and tender in the middle... I actually enjoyed it more than a smasher from Freddy's," one Reddit user wrote. "I was surprised how good it was for $6... Sonic burgers are definitely underrated," claimed another. "I got a Sonic burger... a few weeks ago and it was UNBELIEVABLE. I was blown away by how delicious it [was]," said a thoroughly impressed customer.
Most diners love Sonic's All-American burger
The standard All-American Sonic Smasher contains 610 calories, 37 grams of fat, 32 grams of carbs, 8 grams of sugar, and 35 grams of protein. With bacon, it's 60 calories more, plus 5 and 4 more grams of fat and protein, respectively. While both versions sound filling on their own, customers can also stack the sandwich with additional toppings like mustard, jalapeños, or chili.
Previous Sonic customers who haven't tried this burger might wonder how it compares to the original Sonic Smasher. The main difference is that this updated version comes with lettuce, tomato, ketchup, and mayo instead of a tangy Smasher sauce. Both get pickles, American cheese, and onions. As for Sonic's other beefy offerings, the All-American Smasher is more ornate than the plain and double cheeseburgers. The Sonic cheeseburger is most similar to the All-American, as the only differences lie in the style and number of beef patties.
While many folks hail the All-American Smasher as one of the best new fast food offerings of 2026, there are naysayers. Some allege that the burger is excessively salty, while others just don't get the hype. "It's good, but I don't notice a big difference between it and [the] regular burger," one Reddit user remarked. "Something about the patties [tastes] off... It's the char flavor being really intense due to the patties being so thin, combined with lack of seasoning," another Redditor added. As with any menu offering, one person's smash hit is another's disappointment.
