Seattle, Washington’s Best Smash Burger Comes From a Lao Restaurant Turned Burger Counter

Taurus Ox was a celebrated Lao restaurant on Capitol Hill in Seattle. When Sydney Clark, Khampaeng Panyathong, and Jenessa Sneva converted their original location into a burger-focused offshoot called Ox Burger, the Lao Burger became the bridge between the two concepts.

Kauai grass-fed beef smash patty, American cheese, pickled onion, and jeow bong mayo: a chili-tamarind paste-based sauce that carries the Lao culinary identity into every bite.

Eater Seattle included it in their 2023 list of 16 spots for mind-blowing burgers in the city. That combination of local and national recognition reflects a restaurant that's doing something genuinely new. It made Only In Your State's burger picks across America.

The conversion of the original Taurus Ox space into Ox Burger carried the house-made condiment philosophy and quality sourcing standards from the restaurant into a format designed for speed and accessibility.

What to Order

The Lao Burger is the essential order, especially for any first-timers: a double smash patty, American cheese, pickled onion, and jeow bong mayo. The caramelized patty edges and acidic pickled onion create a balance that rewards the unexpected combination.

The OG Burger provides a more traditional reference point for those who want the base before exploring. Salt-N-Pepa fries are the recommended side.

Hibiscus ginger hard seltzer, rotating local beers, and soft serve for dessert. For more on the food scene nearby, see Capitol Hill restaurants that define Seattle food.

From Lao Restaurant to Seattle's Best Burger

The Lao Burger is the through-line between Taurus Ox and Ox Burger: an American format built around Southeast Asian flavors that the team developed over years of Lao cooking.

Taurus Ox opened in December 2019 on Capitol Hill. The conversion of the original location into Ox Burger gave the team a new format while maintaining the sourcing and kitchen standards that built the original restaurant's reputation.

The conversion of the original Taurus Ox space into Ox Burger was a considered decision. The team saw the burger format as a way to make the Lao flavor profile more accessible without compromising on ingredient quality or culinary identity.

Capitol Hill's dining density is unusual even by Seattle standards. That Ox Burger established itself as the neighborhood's top burger recommendation within a few years of opening reflects how well the concept resonates with the diners who live there.

The decision to source Kauai grass-fed beef, rather than a local Washington product, reflects a sourcing choice made specifically for flavor. The team tested multiple beef sources before settling on the one that best complemented the jeow bong mayo. For more of the state's dining history, see the best burgers in Washington state.

Plan Your Visit

Ox Burger is at 1523 East Madison Street, Suite 101, in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Happy hour runs from 3 to 6 p.m. Parking garage nearby. Call (206) 420-8220. While you're planning the trip, check out Seattle restaurants blending Asian and American flavors.