Ottawa's new food truck serves giant wagyu smash patties that have already gone viral

A new food truck has parked in Ottawa's Little Italy, and it's being hailed as a genuine contender for serving the tastiest burgers in the capital.

Smash Daddy's succulent, tender, cheese-draped wagyu smash patties hang off its generously sauced brioche buns to make a smash burger so delicious that you'll have no choice but to devour it on the spot.

Ottawa's newest patriarch of smash burgers opened in early March and already has customers lining up and down its small and humble parking lot at 298 Preston St. This is the perfect spot to grab lunch with friends while enjoying all that Little Italy has to offer.

According to its website, the new food truck got its name "from a night of smash burgers, joking at the idea of a burger shop, and doing dishes with a Scrub Daddy." Then, Smash Daddy was born.

For the uninitiated, a smash patty is exactly what it sounds like. It's a ball of ground beef put on the griddle and smashed into a mouthwatering flat, crispy patty, cooked to perfection.

Smash Daddy's owner, Richard Nguyen, told CTV that before opening the truck, he "ate burgers for months" to figure out how to build the tastiest smash burger in town. Many burgers he tried had "a lot of issues," like the patties being too dry and lacking colour.

Nguyen says what makes his burgers stand out from the rest is the caramelization of the beef, which gives his burgers those iconic browned, crispy edges that stick out from between the buns.

Smash Daddy offers two varieties of beef: a AAA Canadian grass-fed beef patty for $13 and a premium Japanese wagyu patty for $24. It's important to mention that, like many food trucks, they only accept cash or e-transfer.

Like any good and hearty burger joint, Smash Daddy has a scrumptious "secret sauce" that acts as the cherry on top and elevates its smash burgers from outstanding to perfection. Smash Daddy sauce is smokey, well balanced and the ultimate companion to the beef smash patty. Once you have a Smash Daddy in your hands, you can take it home, gobble it in your car or take a seat at one of the picnic tables right next to the truck.

Videos of guests digging into the burgers can be found all over social media, with viral TikToks about Smash Daddy burgers racking up hundreds of thousands of views and likes. One particular video showcasing the Ottawa truck has a whopping 90,000 views.

While digging into what is probably Ottawa's most viral burger right now, you can admire one of the largest murals in Eastern Ontario. The Leonardo da Vinci mural was painted by Dems & Doll, an Ottawa-based couple who've designed murals all over the city. This outstanding art piece is absolutely huge and is one of many colourful murals featured on walls throughout Little Italy.

While the Smash Daddy burger is the truck's crown jewel, it is not the only item on the menu. If you're not feeling a Smash Daddy, try Deez Nugz, the truck's golden, crispy, tender chicken nuggets. If you want to stick to the basics, you could choose a Basic Chick, a classic yet delicious fried chicken sandwich with creamy slaw and pickles.

If none of that's up your alley, perhaps consider getting the Shrimp & Chips, deep-fried and crunchy torpedo shrimp alongside Smash Daddy's signature fries. Naked Fries are hand cut, double fried, well seasoned and crispy as can be, and they pair with literally anything else on the menu.

According to Smash Daddy's website, they plan to eventually expand to the sweet side of the flavour spectrum.

If you plan to grab a bite from Ottawa's newest burger daddy, expect a line, especially if you're going at lunch or dinner time. However, Smash Daddy is one of those things in life that is 100% worth the wait.

The Leonardo Da Vinci Mural in Ottawa's Little Italy.Keith de Silvia-Legault | Narcity