Lola’s Mt Pleasant

 Lola’s Smash Burger Review 

Some burgers surprise you. This one absolutely blindsided me. 

It was a rainy day in the Charleston area, so a beach trip was off the table. My wife had been wanting to try Lola’s—a seafood spot near her job—for a while, and we figured this was the perfect excuse. Since Lola’s is known for seafood, I was shocked (and intrigued) to see Smash Burgers on the menu. 

To be honest, I kept my expectations low. Seafood restaurants aren’t exactly where I go looking for great burgers. 

Turns out, that was a mistake. 

Appearance – 4/5

This burger came out looking exactly how a smash burger should. Two beef patties stacked high, each blanketed in melted American cheese, all tucked inside a toasted bun. Nothing fancy, nothing gimmicky—just a burger that looked ready to do business. 

Bun – 7/10

A true unsung hero. 

The bun held up from first bite to last without even hinting at surrender. Even though the bottom was toasted right to the edge of being burnt, it actually added a nice layer of flavor. Structural integrity and flavor? That’s a win. 

Meat – 26/30

The beef was seasoned well and packed plenty of flavor. These weren’t thin little smash burger patties either—two quarter-pound slabs with crispy, caramelized bits in every bite. Those crunchy edges were burger gold. 

My only complaint? The patties could have been a little juicier. Still, the flavor more than made up for it. 

Cheese – 11/15

The American cheese was one of the stars of the show. 

This wasn’t the bland, plastic-wrapped stuff that tastes like it came straight from a chemistry lab. It had real depth and richness, with one slice melted over each patty for maximum cheese coverage. Extra cheesy and extra delicious. 

Vegetables – 12/15

The toppings came on the side: lettuce, tomato, red onion, and pickles. I appreciated being able to customize each bite exactly how I wanted it. 

The tomatoes were perfectly sized for the burger. The onions were shaved thin and tasted fresh. But the real MVP here was the pickle situation. Instead of little pickle chips, Lola’s served long pickle slices that stretched across the bun, guaranteeing pickle goodness in every bite. 

That’s thoughtful burger engineering. 

Dressing – 7/10

Ketchup was provided, but this burger didn’t need it. 

A burger that tastes complete without sauces is usually a sign that everything else is being done right. The ketchup stayed mostly untouched. 

Messiness – 2/5

This burger was remarkably tidy. 

No drips. No falling apart. No burger avalanche halfway through. It stayed intact from start to finish and only required a single napkin. While some people love a messy burger, there’s something satisfying about one that keeps itself together. 

Burgerness – 8/10

This burger understood the assignment. 

The crispy meat, flavorful cheese, fresh vegetables, sturdy bun—everything played its part. There wasn’t one ingredient trying to steal the spotlight. It all worked together to create a genuinely enjoyable burger experience. 

Final Verdict: 77 Patty Points 🏆

Let’s be clear: Lola’s is a seafood restaurant. In fact, the smash burger is practically the lone non-seafood option on the menu. 

Because of that, I walked in expecting very little. Honestly, I was bracing for disappointment. 

Boy, was I wrong. 

This isn’t the greatest burger I’ve ever had, but it’s an exceptionally solid burger that completely exceeded expectations. The kind of burger that makes you double-check whether you’re actually in a seafood restaurant. 

The next time my wife wants seafood, I won’t need any convincing to tag along—because I already know exactly what I’m ordering.