Memphis offers a variety of hidden gems, but the Secret Smash Society pop-up is one secret that’s too good to keep. This elusive event has Memphians craving more, with its locations revealed only through Instagram two weeks in advance. Founded by friends Cole Jeanes, Schuyler O’Brien, and Harrison Downing, the Society is all about community and reimagining the classic smash burger.
Get to know the team’s founding members, their signature burgers, and what’s coming next. (Spoiler: There’s a brick-and-mortar restaurant location in the works!)
The Secret Smash Society’s owners are far from new to the local food scene. In fact, Cole Jeanes owns Kinfolk, the hot new breakfast restaurant on Mud Island, which hosted a wildly successful pop-up event for the Secret Smash Society this summer.
Harrison Downing is a chef and sandwich artist at Grey’s Fine Cheese, and Schuyler O’Brien is currently the Food and Beverage Director for City Silo Table + Pantry, which offers two locations in the Memphis area, including one in Germantown. And while Schuyler notably cut his culinary teeth in Orlando, Florida, working for Disney World, he tells us that he was most inspired as a young chef at Blackberry Farm in East Tennessee.
“I lean towards a kind of modern Southern technique,” he says, “So that’s kind of the realm that I sit in — that all of us are in, honestly. We have this love for old Southern food, fast food, and fine dining.”
The team’s signature burgers feature two grass-fed beef patties from Home Place Pastures in Mississippi, cooked on a flat-top griddle until perfectly crispy and juicy. Patrons can choose between “dressed” with lettuce (or “shredduce”), tomato, pickle, onion, cheese, and “Daddy Sauce” or “undressed” with just pickles, cheese, and sauce. All this goodness is served on a toasted Martin’s potato roll, delivering a burger experience that’s worth the hunt.
For all their exciting endeavors, the Secret Smash Society is also Schuyler, Harrison, and Cole’s chance to enjoy each other’s company while sharing great food. “We bounce ideas off each other,” shares Schuyler, “and it’s just so organic. Everything just comes together; it’s been really, really fun.”
Over September 7 weekend, the chefs attended their favorite cooking event of the year, the Hill Country Boucherie at Home Place Pastures in Como, Mississippi. The team cooked under the tent amid other world-class chefs from all over the South — including cities like New Orleans, Atlanta, and Nashville — to feed around 300 guests.
“It’s fun for us to have a little competition,” says Cole, “but we also get to see all of our friends in the restaurant industry.” He adds, “There aren’t many times you get a weekend off in our industry. Better yet, all of your friends have the same weekend off, and we get to go down there and blow off some steam.”
What’s next for Secret Smash Society?
Beyond events like the Boucherie in Como, the trio are most looking forward to opening a new brick-and-mortar restaurant in a few months. Hard Times Deli will be located in the Edge District, down the street from Sun Studios, and we can look forward to an upscale neighborhood deli concept with approachable fine dining elements. These guys are passionate about their fast-casual culinary fare!
If the Secret Smash Society’s success is any indication of what’s to come at Hard Times Deli, we can’t wait to sink our teeth into their sandwiches. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the beef will be sourced from Home Place Pastures, and the three are currently working with a local baker to source their bread.
“It’s going to be a really cool addition to the city.” Harrison says, “[It’s] something the city doesn’t have that other major cities do, and we’re excited to bring it to Memphis.” Stay tuned, and be sure to follow the Secret Smash Society Instagram page for pop-up location updates!
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