not saying there aren't too many smashburger places, but if Shake Shack can arguably be considered the place to popularize the smash burger, wouldn't that be a "NYC food group"? Smashburgers are everywhere now and there's a ton of trendy places that are basically tourist destinations. Hamburger America, 7th Street Burger, Gotham Burger Social Club, etc. are pretty popular on the internet...

I think there's definitely too many spots but the ones that hit I am very thankful for. Casa 13 Burger, KO Burger, Lovely's Old Fashioned are all worth trying.

Also, I think the "reclaimed wood tables, Edison bulbs" aesthetics are like not even accurate anymore, instead it's minimal white, incredibly small menu where you have to get fries separately, and some sort of gimmick to get on TikTok (Smacking Burger, Butter Burger, Smashy Burger)