Hollywood, Florida has its burger spots — but when locals want the best burgers in Hollywood FL, more and more of them are making the quick 15-minute drive up to Benny’s Smash Burgers in Plantation. Here’s why that short trip is absolutely worth it.
Hollywood to Benny’s: The Drive That’s Worth It
From central Hollywood to Benny’s Smash Burgers: about 10 miles, roughly 15 minutes up University Drive or the Turnpike. From Hollywood Beach, add about 5 minutes. That’s less time than you’d spend deciding where to eat on a Friday night.
And what waits at the other end is something Hollywood just doesn’t have: a fresh, never-frozen Angus beef smash burger with lacy, crispy, caramelized edges — made to order in under ten minutes. No frozen patties. No heat lamps. No compromises. Just the best smashburger in Plantation FL — and all of South Florida.
What Makes Benny’s Worth the Drive from Hollywood
The Smash Burger Technique
A smash burger isn’t just a thin patty — it’s a fundamentally different way of cooking beef. Here’s how Benny’s does it:
- Start with fresh beef: A 2.5oz ball of 80/20 Angus chuck and brisket blend, loosely packed — never compressed. Frozen beef won’t smash right and won’t develop a proper crust.
- Smash on contact: The ball hits a 400°F+ flat-top griddle and gets pressed flat with a heavy steel smasher. We hold for 8-10 seconds — long enough for the Maillard reaction to create that golden-brown crust, short enough that the center stays juicy.
- Season immediately: Salt and pepper go on while the surface is still wet, bonding to the crust as it forms. Timing matters — too early and the salt draws moisture out; too late and it doesn’t stick.
- Scrape and flip once: A sharp steel scraper releases the patty cleanly, preserving every bit of crispy edge. One flip only. Never press again — that squeezes out the juices.
- Cheese and steam: Two slices of real American cheese go on immediately after the flip. A splash of water and a dome create steam that melts the cheese into every ridge and valley of the patty in under 10 seconds.
- Build with care: Toasted potato bun, sauce on both sides, pickles on the bottom, patty stack, lettuce and tomato on top. That order isn’t random — it prevents soggy buns and keeps every layer tasting distinct.
Ingredients That Make the Difference
Great technique needs great ingredients. Here’s what goes into every Benny’s burger:
- Beef: 80/20 fresh Angus chuck and brisket blend from regional Southeast suppliers. Arrives fresh, gets ground fresh, hits the griddle within hours. The fat content is intentional — it renders into those crispy edges while keeping the center moist.
- Buns: Locally baked potato buns, buttered and toasted on the flat-top in the beef drippings. Soft inside, golden outside, sturdy enough to hold a double stack.
- Cheese: Real American cheese that melts properly — not processed cheese food product. Two slices per double, melted evenly.
- Produce: Arrives fresh multiple times per week. Crisp iceberg lettuce, vine-ripened tomatoes, fresh onions. We slice daily — nothing pre-cut, nothing bagged.
- Sauce: Our signature smash sauce, made in-house. The exact recipe is a secret, but the flavor is unmistakable — tangy, creamy, savory, balanced.
- Fries: Hand-cut daily from whole potatoes. Seasoned with our signature spice blend. Never frozen, never pre-bagged.
The Full Benny’s Menu
Here’s what Hollywood locals are driving to Plantation for:
- The Classic Single — One smashed patty, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, Benny’s sauce. $8.99. The perfect entry point to the smash burger world.
- The Double Stack — Two 2.5oz smash patties, double cheese, twice the crispy crust. $11.99. Our bestseller for a reason — it’s the ideal ratio of crust to beef to cheese.
- The Triple Threat — Three patties of pure beef brilliance. $14.99. Come hungry. Leave happy. Bring a friend who can finish what you can’t.
- The Oklahoma — Caramelized onions smashed directly into the patty, American cheese, pickles, yellow mustard. $11.99. An old-school Depression-era technique that creates an incredible sweet-savory crust.
- The Miami Spice — Signature spice rub, pepper jack cheese, chipotle aioli, jalapeño slaw. $12.99. Heat that builds with every bite but never overwhelms the beef.
- The Brisket Melt — Double smash patty plus slow-braised brisket, cheddar, on garlic butter brioche. $15.99. The burger for when a burger isn’t quite enough.
- Loaded Fries — Crispy hand-cut fries topped with chopped smash patty, cheese sauce, grilled onions. $9.99.
- Hand-Spun Shakes — Real ice cream, blended to order. Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and seasonal flavors. $6.99.
Hollywood’s Burger Scene vs. Benny’s
Hollywood has solid burger options — Le Tub’s famous burger draws crowds, GG’s Waterfront does a respectable version, and the Broadwalk has beachside spots. But here’s the reality:
- Le Tub makes a great thick pub-style burger, but it’s a 13oz patty — completely different animal. You wait 30+ minutes, pay $15+, and leave stuffed. It’s excellent at what it does, but it’s not a smash burger and it’s not fast.
- Chain restaurants along Sheridan and Hollywood Boulevard use frozen patties, pre-made sauces, and standardized procedures. Consistent? Sure. Exceptional? Never.
- Fast food is fast food. You already know the difference between a drive-through burger and a fresh, hand-smashed patty.
What Benny’s offers that no Hollywood burger spot does: fresh Angus beef smashed to order, creating that lacy, crispy crust — combined with the speed of smash burger cooking (under 10 minutes), restaurant-quality ingredients, and prices that beat most sit-down places. It’s a specific niche that Hollywood just doesn’t fill.
From Hollywood to Benny’s: The Route
Getting to Benny’s from Hollywood is straightforward:
- From East Hollywood / Hollywood Beach: Take Sheridan Street west to the Turnpike north, or take I-95 north to 595 west, exit University Drive south. About 20 minutes.
- From Central Hollywood: Take University Drive north straight up about 10 miles. 15 minutes, no highway needed.
- From West Hollywood / Emerald Hills: Take Stirling Road west to University, then north. About 12 minutes.
We’re at 1023 S. University Dr., Plantation, FL 33324. Open Monday–Thursday 11am–9pm, Friday–Saturday 11am–10pm, Sunday 12pm–8pm.
Hollywood Families Love Benny’s
We see a growing number of Hollywood families at Benny’s — especially on weekends. Our dining room is built for families: comfortable booths, a menu with options for all ages, gluten-free buns available, and prices that keep dinner for four around $45-60. Kids love the shakes and fries. Parents love the Double Stack. Everyone leaves happy.
For Hollywood professionals, we’re a quick lunch destination. Our kitchen is fast without being rushed. Order at the counter, grab a booth, and your burger arrives in under 10 minutes — fresh, hot, and exactly how you ordered it.
Visit Benny’s — Worth Every Mile from Hollywood
The best burgers in Hollywood FL aren’t actually in Hollywood — they’re 15 minutes north at Benny’s Smash Burgers. Call (954) 999-5568 to place a pickup order, or just show up. Dine in, take out, or get delivery through Uber Eats and DoorDash.
Hollywood locals who’ve made the trip once usually come back. The crispy edges, the fresh beef, the house-made sauce — it’s the kind of burger that makes you wonder why you ever settled for less. 🍔
And if you’re in Plantation, you don’t have to drive anywhere — visit our smash burgers in Plantation, FL page to see why locals call Benny’s the best in town.
FAQ: Best Burgers in Hollywood FL
Where is the best burger near Hollywood, FL?
Benny’s Smash Burgers at 1023 S. University Dr., Plantation, FL 33324 — about 10 miles (15 minutes) from central Hollywood. Fresh, never-frozen Angus beef smashed to order, creating crispy-edged patties no Hollywood burger spot can match.
Is Benny’s worth the drive from Hollywood?
Absolutely. Hollywood locals make the 15-minute drive regularly for fresh smash burgers, hand-cut fries, and house-made sauce. The combination of fresh beef, proper smash technique, and fast service makes the short trip worthwhile every time.
Does Benny’s deliver to Hollywood?
Yes. Benny’s delivers to Hollywood through Uber Eats and DoorDash. Pickup is also available at our Plantation location. Call (954) 999-5568.
What are the best menu items to try at Benny’s?
The Double Stack ($11.99, two smash patties with double cheese) is the bestseller. First-timers should also try the Oklahoma ($11.99, caramelized onions smashed into the patty) and the Loaded Fries ($9.99).
How does Benny’s compare to Hollywood burger spots like Le Tub?
Le Tub makes an excellent thick pub burger (13oz, 30+ minute wait, $15+). Benny’s offers a different experience: fresh smash burgers with crispy caramelized crust, ready in under 10 minutes, $8.99-$15.99. Both are great — they’re just different styles. For the smash burger specifically, Benny’s is unmatched in the Hollywood area.
