Cult-favorite brings $4.50 smashburgers to Santa Monica as city reels from closures

A cult-favorite Venice burger stand is heading north — and bringing its famously cheap cheeseburgers with it.

The Win~Dow is set to open a new location on Santa Monica’s Montana Avenue this May, expanding the brand’s growing footprint across Southern California.

The smashburger spot — known for its $4.50 cheeseburgers — first launched in 2019 as a tiny walk-up window in Venice and quickly built a loyal following.

Now, the concept is moving into a 50-seat space at 930 Montana Ave., marking a bigger push into brick-and-mortar dining while keeping its signature low-price appeal.

The opening also comes as Santa Monica’s retail and dining scene has taken a hit, with a string of high-profile closures shaping the area in recent months.

The nearby Third Street Promenade has seen a wave of vacancies and longtime businesses shutting their doors,, including the impending closure of staple bar The Misfit.

At the same time, some spaces are being backfilled by chains — including a Taco Bell Cantina set to replace 30-year resident British pub Britannia.

The new burger outpost will feature its signature pattys alongside fried chicken sandwiches, grain bowls and kale salads, plus dipped cones and milkshakes for dessert.

A new weekend breakfast menu is also in the works, including burritos and egg-topped burgers.

The space, designed by Klein Agency, blends classic burger stand vibes with a more polished, modern feel — complete with indoor-outdoor seating and murals by LA artist KC Haxton, the Santa Monica Mirror reported.

The expansion comes as smashburgers continue to dominate SoCal’s fast-casual scene, with The Win~Dow emerging as one of the movement’s most recognizable names.

The restaurant will operate from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays with earlier 9 a.m. openings on weekends.

The Santa Monica debut is just the beginning — with more locations planned across the region later this year, the Santa Monica Mirror reported.

Outside of the Venice location, The Win~Dow has five other locations: Santa Barbara, The Grove, Hollywood, Long Beach and Silver Lake. The burger spot is part of the American Gonzo Food Corp., which also operates concepts like Pitfire Pizza, American Beauty and Superba.

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