Start by making the burger sauce. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Stir until smooth and refrigerate while preparing the tacos.

Divide the ground beef into equal portions. Lay the tortillas flat and press a thin layer of beef onto one side of each tortilla, spreading it close to the edges. Season the beef generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Preheat a cast-iron skillet or flat-top griddle over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the tortillas beef-side down directly onto the cooking surface. Immediately press them down firmly using a spatula or burger press.

Allow the beef to cook undisturbed for 2–3 minutes. This helps develop the crispy smash burger crust that gives these tacos their signature texture and flavor.

Carefully flip the tacos once the beef is deeply browned. Add a slice of American cheese to each taco and continue cooking until the tortilla becomes golden and crisp underneath.

Remove the tacos from the skillet and let them rest for about a minute so the cheese settles slightly. This also keeps the tortillas crisp.

Top each taco with shredded lettuce, diced onions, pickles, and a drizzle of burger sauce. Serve immediately while everything is hot and fresh.

For extra flavor, serve with fries, onion rings, or coleslaw and keep additional burger sauce on the side for dipping.