Believe the hype. Said hype, which was reported on before, made the entire staff of AHT twitch with desire. The long lines held us off for only so long, but the staff gave in last week.
The burgers at Shake Shack, like Blue Nine, follow the west-coast style. What really separates them from the pack is their choice of meat. Instead of ground chuck or something similar, they use a mix of sirloin and brisket, which is freshly ground across the street at Danny Meyer's Eleven Madison Park. The unusual choice results in a higher fat content, which produces a fantastically tasty burger. Although it's fun to pile a burger high with condiments, this one can stand alone. My favorite part is that although the burger is juicy, the hot griddle seals it in so the juice gets in your belly and not on your plate.
Having been twice now, I tried both a plain burger and a Shack Burger, which includes their Shake Shack Sauce. The sauce is mayo-based, but the ingredients are secret. It was good, but not an essential part of the experience. I'm more of a mustard guy, anyhow. All of the other condiments—lettuce, tomato, bun—were tasty. The bun was very plain, but a perfect compliment for the flavorful burger.
The line is, as expected, long. From my local scouts, the line is still about half an hour during the peak lunch times (12 p.m. to 2 p.m.), but when I've visited at 2:30 p.m., I was ordering in about 10 minutes. When I visited for dinner —Shake Shack is now open until 9 p.m. for the rest of the summer—I hardly waited at all. Don't worry about grabbing a table right away as there are usually some available and turnover is quick if there aren't.
Shake Shack is an essential part of the NYC burger experience. It is not to be missed.
"Flame-grilling"??? Last year they used a big metal griddle, just like McD's. Also, it's a Shack Burger, not Shake. My fave is a Double Shack. Great place, lives up to the billing.
I wouldn't compare anything about the shake shack to blue nine. I don't know if you've been there lately or not, but blue nine has fallen into near total disrepair. Horrible service, sloppy burgers, dirty facilities: I don't expect it to last much longer.
Blue Nine is indeed on the ropes. More's the pity, 'cause its in my neighborhood, and I love a good burger. Blue Nine had a great concept, but unfortunately it's been poorly executed and managed. On my last (and last) visit, I got huge chunks of fat and gristle in my burger. Props for a coarse grind on the meat, but they definitely need to better trim the cuts going into it. And I normally like a view into an open kitchen, as you get here, but not when the kitchen is as filthy as it was and the cook has uncapped hair down her neck. And the fries have always been mediocre at best: greasy, too short, and full of black chunks also from not being thorough in prep/peeling.
I have a feeling that 99 Miles of Philly, an excellent cheesesteak place that opened up two doors away, will significantly cut into their business, and Blue Nine will not be around in another year.
I just made similar comments about Blue9 in the AHT review down the page, and I'm done there as well unless something major changes, Thor's right about 99 Miles to Philly, they're great at what they do. Expect grease, but also expect a perfectly executed cheesesteak and very good, very fresh waffle fries. Not burgers, but...
Shake Shack is just fantastic. My only criticism is that my normal lunch is usually around $15, sometimes more. If it were less I'd probably eat there three times a week. As is, they already remember me at the counter. I've found the time to get there is before noon or late afternoon, usually around 3-4pm.
While the wait is a pain...the burgers are delicious. My only complaint? Only shakes and no malts. Why is it so difficult to find a good burger/malt place in this town? Are malts a midwest thing? Anyone have any suggestions?
Does anyone know if Shake Shack will be open during the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party this weekend? I'll be making a hit-and-run trip to the city, and my only chance to try a Shack Burger will be on either the 12th or 13th. Will I be out of luck? BBQ is a fine consolation prize, but I want the Shack!
Shake Shack is still the one and only place to get a hamburger in the NYC. The wait is much longer than 1/2 hour. At peak lunch times, expect to wait at least 45 minutes, usually longer. Wait times during the dinner hours are comparable, if not longer. Try the chicago dog. I've been forgoing the fries and getting a shack burger + chicago dog. MMM!!
It seemed to be a half hour last year (summer 2005), when this post was written. From what I've heard, it's now closer to an hour at peak times. Insane. That's why I haven't visited yet this year. —Adam
Shake Shack is like In N Out in LA, there is another place in Queens, Joe's Best Burger on Main St., I think the quality is about the same at Joe's but the service is faster...unless you live in Manhattan, in that case you have to take the 7 to Main Street.
I went to Shake Shack yesterday afternoon, to see what all the fuss is about, I went after 2PM but the line was still fairly long. It took about 20 minutes for me to get to the front of the line, I ordered a Shack Burger, A Chicago Dog, Fries, and a small Coke. I decided to buy a Custard later. Anyway, I got my food, I actually thought the Chicago Dog tasted fresher than my Burger. The Shack Sauce was basically ketchup and mayo. I didn't think this tasted much better than something I had at a barbecue, even though this hamburger was a made on a griddle. It was a definite letdown, I have no idea why people wait in line for this crap, I guess the world is full of idiots. It wasn't a total loss, I bought a double scoop of Vanilla Custard, tasted a bit like Mister Softee but thicker, anyway I hopped onto the N train and then too the 7 to Main St., went to Joe's Bestburger, no kidding, Joe's Burger is far better than Shake Shacks, I think their ice cream products are better too. It only took me about 5 minutes to get my food too. When I came home, my wife asked if I was going to eat dinner, I said I was going to lie down, she started yelling at me because I had burgers.
I went to the Shack with the gf on Wednesday, and, at least then, it blew. The burger had a funny taste to it. A weird acrid aftertaste. And it was cold. And yes, Joe's Bestburger is great. I really like it. Too bad they don't have one in Manhattan.
Shack Shack is another East Coast ripoff of In N Out. If you are going here for a day trip, don't bother, you can get the same burger at Joe's Best Burger on Main St. in Flushing. Unlike pizza, which can vary greatly in flavor, burgers are easy to copy. Blue 9, Fatburger, and a few other places make the same kind of burger as Shake Shack. Take a tour of a few pizza places and you will notice a big contrast in flavor. Go to Di Fara on Avenue J and then Spumoni Gardens near the Avenue U station and you will notice a big difference in the slices offered by both.
Well if you go to shake shack...
you MUST and i repeat you MUST try a "shack stack"
it was the best!!!!!!
fresh,and just plan yummy!!!!
and the black&white shake was soo good i stood in line for another one on my way home =)
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Believe the hype. Said hype, which was reported on before, made the entire staff of AHT twitch with desire. The long lines held us off for only so long, but the staff gave in last week.
The burgers at Shake Shack, like Blue Nine, follow the west-coast style. What really separates them from the pack is their choice of meat. Instead of ground chuck or something similar, they use a mix of sirloin and brisket, which is freshly ground across the street at Danny Meyer's Eleven Madison Park. The unusual choice results in a higher fat content, which produces a fantastically tasty burger. Although it's fun to pile a burger high with condiments, this one can stand alone. My favorite part is that although the burger is juicy, the hot griddle seals it in so the juice gets in your belly and not on your plate.
Having been twice now, I tried both a plain burger and a Shack Burger, which includes their Shake Shack Sauce. The sauce is mayo-based, but the ingredients are secret. It was good, but not an essential part of the experience. I'm more of a mustard guy, anyhow. All of the other condiments—lettuce, tomato, bun—were tasty. The bun was very plain, but a perfect compliment for the flavorful burger.
18 Comments:
That address is kind of confusing--shouldn't it say which avenues it's between, instead of 51st and 52nd St's?
Hamburger alizinha at 10:59AM on 05/16/05
"Flame-grilling"??? Last year they used a big metal griddle, just like McD's. Also, it's a Shack Burger, not Shake. My fave is a Double Shack. Great place, lives up to the billing.
Hamburger anon at 11:00AM on 05/16/05
Ah, you're right anon. A late-night writing session isn't always so precise. 'Tis fixed.
capndesign at 11:45AM on 05/16/05
I wouldn't compare anything about the shake shack to blue nine. I don't know if you've been there lately or not, but blue nine has fallen into near total disrepair. Horrible service, sloppy burgers, dirty facilities: I don't expect it to last much longer.
Hamburger matt b at 4:05PM on 05/16/05
Blue Nine is indeed on the ropes. More's the pity, 'cause its in my neighborhood, and I love a good burger. Blue Nine had a great concept, but unfortunately it's been poorly executed and managed. On my last (and last) visit, I got huge chunks of fat and gristle in my burger. Props for a coarse grind on the meat, but they definitely need to better trim the cuts going into it. And I normally like a view into an open kitchen, as you get here, but not when the kitchen is as filthy as it was and the cook has uncapped hair down her neck. And the fries have always been mediocre at best: greasy, too short, and full of black chunks also from not being thorough in prep/peeling.
I have a feeling that 99 Miles of Philly, an excellent cheesesteak place that opened up two doors away, will significantly cut into their business, and Blue Nine will not be around in another year.
Hamburger Thor at 4:49PM on 05/16/05
I just made similar comments about Blue9 in the AHT review down the page, and I'm done there as well unless something major changes, Thor's right about 99 Miles to Philly, they're great at what they do. Expect grease, but also expect a perfectly executed cheesesteak and very good, very fresh waffle fries. Not burgers, but...
Shake Shack is just fantastic. My only criticism is that my normal lunch is usually around $15, sometimes more. If it were less I'd probably eat there three times a week. As is, they already remember me at the counter. I've found the time to get there is before noon or late afternoon, usually around 3-4pm.
Hamburger Joe at 7:47PM on 05/16/05
While the wait is a pain...the burgers are delicious. My only complaint? Only shakes and no malts. Why is it so difficult to find a good burger/malt place in this town? Are malts a midwest thing? Anyone have any suggestions?
Hamburger Mike at 9:47AM on 05/17/05
Does anyone know if Shake Shack will be open during the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party this weekend? I'll be making a hit-and-run trip to the city, and my only chance to try a Shack Burger will be on either the 12th or 13th. Will I be out of luck? BBQ is a fine consolation prize, but I want the Shack!
Hamburger Ryan at 4:25PM on 06/06/05
your website is wonderfull. i'll come visit again. all the artist knew one another: http://burchkid.blogspot.com/2005/09/fool-for-love-robert-altman-1985.html , rare pieces questioned for a long time
Hamburger steven campbell at 12:03AM on 10/04/05
Shake Shack is still the one and only place to get a hamburger in the NYC. The wait is much longer than 1/2 hour. At peak lunch times, expect to wait at least 45 minutes, usually longer. Wait times during the dinner hours are comparable, if not longer. Try the chicago dog. I've been forgoing the fries and getting a shack burger + chicago dog. MMM!!
Hamburger Darn at 5:41PM on 06/01/06
It seemed to be a half hour last year (summer 2005), when this post was written. From what I've heard, it's now closer to an hour at peak times. Insane. That's why I haven't visited yet this year. —Adam
Adam Kuban at 6:14PM on 06/01/06
Shake Shack is like In N Out in LA, there is another place in Queens, Joe's Best Burger on Main St., I think the quality is about the same at Joe's but the service is faster...unless you live in Manhattan, in that case you have to take the 7 to Main Street.
Hamburger Jeff at 2:44PM on 05/03/07
I went to Shake Shack yesterday afternoon, to see what all the fuss is about, I went after 2PM but the line was still fairly long. It took about 20 minutes for me to get to the front of the line, I ordered a Shack Burger, A Chicago Dog, Fries, and a small Coke. I decided to buy a Custard later. Anyway, I got my food, I actually thought the Chicago Dog tasted fresher than my Burger. The Shack Sauce was basically ketchup and mayo. I didn't think this tasted much better than something I had at a barbecue, even though this hamburger was a made on a griddle. It was a definite letdown, I have no idea why people wait in line for this crap, I guess the world is full of idiots. It wasn't a total loss, I bought a double scoop of Vanilla Custard, tasted a bit like Mister Softee but thicker, anyway I hopped onto the N train and then too the 7 to Main St., went to Joe's Bestburger, no kidding, Joe's Burger is far better than Shake Shacks, I think their ice cream products are better too. It only took me about 5 minutes to get my food too. When I came home, my wife asked if I was going to eat dinner, I said I was going to lie down, she started yelling at me because I had burgers.
Hamburger Stevo at 11:38PM on 05/04/07
Oh yeah, you get much better hot dogs at Papaya King.
Hamburger Stevo at 11:38PM on 05/04/07
I went to the Shack with the gf on Wednesday, and, at least then, it blew. The burger had a funny taste to it. A weird acrid aftertaste. And it was cold. And yes, Joe's Bestburger is great. I really like it. Too bad they don't have one in Manhattan.
Adam Kuban at 12:06AM on 05/05/07
Shack Shack is another East Coast ripoff of In N Out. If you are going here for a day trip, don't bother, you can get the same burger at Joe's Best Burger on Main St. in Flushing. Unlike pizza, which can vary greatly in flavor, burgers are easy to copy. Blue 9, Fatburger, and a few other places make the same kind of burger as Shake Shack. Take a tour of a few pizza places and you will notice a big contrast in flavor. Go to Di Fara on Avenue J and then Spumoni Gardens near the Avenue U station and you will notice a big difference in the slices offered by both.
Hamburger Jeff at 4:37PM on 05/11/07
I had a ...
Plain Double Cheeseburger
Fries
Strawberry Shake
Ask me how it was, Go ahead....
It Was PERFECT!
phauxtoe at 2:37PM on 05/19/08
Well if you go to shake shack...
you MUST and i repeat you MUST try a "shack stack"
it was the best!!!!!!
fresh,and just plan yummy!!!!
and the black&white shake was soo good i stood in line for another one on my way home =)
dabxsunshine at 7:59PM on 04/15/09