Jacksonville's burger scene just picked up some Miami swagger. Sip n' Smash, a smash-burger spin-off from the local operators behind Talkin' Tacos, has opened a fast-casual spot at The Palms at Gate Parkway, serving smashed patties, fries, milkshakes and breakfast sandwiches in a neon-soaked, Miami-inspired setting. The debut marks the operators' first burger venture in the U.S. and adds to their growing footprint in Northeast Florida.
According to the Jacksonville Business Journal, the cousins who brought Miami's Talkin' Tacos to Jacksonville Beach and St. Johns Town Center are also behind Sip n' Smash. The outlet reports that the Gate Parkway shop is the group's first burger concept in the country. Representatives for the operators did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Public records track the build-out from paperwork to opening. The city issued a Sept. 23, 2025 permit for roughly $220,000 in tenant renovations across about 2,270 square feet at Units 115-116 in The Palms at Gate Parkway, with Honest Construction Inc. listed as contractor, according to the Jacksonville Daily Record. Filings with the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations show Sip N Smash Inc. was registered May 28, 2025, with Jason Malih and Steven Salman named as officers.
The Talkin' Tacos brand itself started as a Wynwood food truck before growing into a multi-unit fast-casual operation, a trajectory chronicled by the Miami New Times. The chain's official site lists active Jacksonville locations in Jacksonville Beach and at St. Johns Town Center, underscoring how the operators have already planted roots in the local market.
What to expect
Early coverage and the concept's own marketing promise smashed patties, hand-spun shakes and warm donuts alongside breakfast sandwiches and fries, per What Now. Floor plans and permitting documents point to ordering kiosks and a mix of table and booth seating, and materials referenced by the Jacksonville Daily Record indicate capacity could reach about 110 diners.
Local context
The Gate Parkway retail strip has become a magnet for new fast-casual concepts, and Sip n' Smash slides into a cluster of recent openings and planned build-outs vying for lunchtime and evening crowds, the Jacksonville Business Journal reported. Local outlets have also noted a broader trend of franchise operators turning food-truck success into brick-and-mortar growth across Northeast Florida.
For updates on hours, hiring and menu tweaks, early coverage points diners to the restaurant's social channels. What Now highlights the brand's Instagram presence as a hub for previews and announcements, so expect staffing notices and menu rollouts to hit those feeds as the new Gate Parkway spot settles in.
