Follow the Queue to Outer Sunset Smash Burger Nirvana

We love our burgers.

Maillards steadily won over fans over the last few years as a smash burger pop-up at the Outer Sunset Farmers Market and at Heritage Restaurant & Bar, but now this permanent location has become a burger beacon for all. Two Pitchers Brewing Company brought on Max Ponzurick and his burgers for its new Outer Sunset location that opened on Wednesday, April 22, and, judging by the lines forming outside the establishment, folks are psyched about the addition to the neighborhood. I strolled up at 3:40 p.m. on a Thursday afternoon, 20 minutes before opening, and was the 12th person in line.

The vibe

Befitting a beach-adjacent taproom, the vibe is mostly chill — save for the big-ass line that bisects the dining room and goes straight out the door. Even so, most are understanding as you scooch by to pick up your food or drink order, or to use the bathroom toward the back of the taproom.

What I’d suggest is a list of roles and responsibilities amongst your group: a table scout, a drinks chief, and a food czar (there’s a reason why Venmo is popular). It’s the only way to get anything done. But if you’re solo, you’re not done for: Patiently work the food line, order a beer while you wait for your order, and secure a seat where you can (I’d suggest the bar or parklet). There’s not much artwork or anything by way of tchotchkes; there’s a TV on the wall for sports watching as needed.

What to order

• I’m a simple burger person, and as such, I still think it’s imperative to order the classic Maillards ($10, single patty) option to get a baseline of the business. I was on a burger-eating mission, so I ordered a single patty for each burger, but our group agreed that the Maillards burger would be perfect as a double patty ($2 more) in all its smashed, lacy glory. It has a nice mix of caramelized shallots, American cheese, Maillards sauce, and house pickles, that’ll satisfy for a meal.
• The standout (non-classic) burger is the Bird’s Eye ($11 single, $13 double), a Thai-coded burger that subs in fried shallots and Thai chile aioli with a lovely herby salad layered inside. Of the burger bunch, this was the one my group kept going back to, and it’s one you won’t get anywhere else. (And if you know of another one, I dunno: Email me and let me know.)
• If you’re looking for a side, honestly, the fries ($5) are It for me. They’re crisp and fried in beef tallow, and pair well with the herbed ranch. Other sauces ($.50 each) to distract yourself include the Maillards sauce, smoked jalapeño aioli, Moroccan-spiced honey, and Comeback sauce. I have my eyes on the Caesar salad for my next visit.

The drinks

Look, as much as folks are fixated on the burgers, this is still very much a taproom. There are Two Pitchers beers aplenty on tap (plus options from other local favorites), with Two Pitchers six-packs available to-go in the fridge just past the bar. The Two Pitchers website has the latest options listed, so buy a pint or pitcher (I don’t judge) of your favorite. I can’t tell you what to order here because beer preferences are personal, but for the cash-strapped, there is a $3 Baseline lager (“All-day dad beer,” the menu reads) clocking in at 4.2 percent ABV. Do with that info what you will.

There is also a brief wine list (like, five options by the glass), plus three spritz styles and a michelada number. A selection of canned not-Two Pitchers alcohol options is also available for the sake of expanding the drink menu — think a stout by East Brother, hard cider, mead, or a hard kombucha — while the nonalcoholic portion offers two beers from Fieldwork, sparkling hop water from Lagunitas, fresh lemonade, and a few sodas to round out the selections.

Take note

You might be flummoxed at the chile pepper heat-rating system, as I was. The ratings go from “no spice” up to three chile peppers, but know that despite my conservative two-pepper order, I didn’t find the spice unbearable. Spice fiends will likely want to go all the way with the heat level and might still want more.

Insider tip

I have not one, but two tips for you all:

• If you’re looking for ways to try Maillards that doesn’t involve rolling into the newest taproom in the Outer Sunset, the business still pops up (for now) from 9 a.m. until sold out on Sundays at Outer Sunset Farmers Market and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays at Heritage Bar & Grill. I’d suggest checking with the Maillards Instagram page for the latest status on those two spots in case that changes.
• If you, like me, were tempted by the soft serve but disliked the idea of having to immediately eat some ice cream either after ordering or when picking up burgers, I was heartened to discover that there are options. The (somehow very patient) front-of-house team states that you can pick up soft serve with your burger order or come back to the front counter for it afterwards. (Just keep the receipt and be lovely and kind to the team — like I know you always are.)