Medford officially welcomed Smashburger to its restaurant community when the fast-casual chain opened its doors yesterday, December 9, according to Boston Restaurant Talk.

Smashburger, a Denver-based restaurant with locations across the country, joins Panera and Noodles & Company in the redeveloped Medford Fellsway Plaza at 495 Riverside Ave.

The restaurant is known for forming its burgers into meatball-shaped spheres before smashing them for cooking. Smashburger has a handful of signature burgers, and customers can customize their meals. There are also chicken sandwich options, plus salads, assorted fries (including the restaurant's signature "smash fries"), fried pickles, and Häagen-Dazs ice cream shakes.

Smashburger's Medford store has been in the works for quite a while and will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Other nearby locations are in Westwood and Natick.