Shake Shack: Fast Food Done Right

July 30, 2009 12:39 pm

A drive-thru window at any fast food joint would be the last place you would ever find me. The only time I ever eat fast food is if I am on a road trip, on a major budget or very early in the morning after a late night (even then I can keep the urges at bay). However, I recently found myself on the Upper West Side standing in line at what I wouldn't necessarily call your typical "fast food," but in a burger/hotdog establishment that raises the bar and the quality for that matter.

During a girl's day out on the town with my step daughters, Laura and Marie, we filled our hearts' content with manicures, pedicures, shopping and lunch at the Shake Shack. Knowing that the two of them love a cheeseburger and French fries, as well as any moment to get a decadent dessert, I would have to put my snobby fast food boycott on hold. Boy am I glad that I did!

The Shake Shack is part of the genius Danny Meyer Union Square Hospitality Group, and is of brilliant concept. When we walked in, the place was jam packed with families, business people, firemen, and an abundance of strollers. This place was obviously going to be a treat. There were two lines to stand in, one for hot food and one for desserts. We decided that we were going to order our lunch first and take dessert to-go. Don't let the crammed full entry way and minimal amount of tables fool you on the seating size of the place. There is a "Rec Room," with additional seating downstairs, thank goodness!

Looking at the menu, there are two options: burgers and hotdogs. Still, both contain quite a variety to choose from. We all went with a burger (**note all burgers are served medium unless otherwise specified) me being the only one to forgo the cheese. We took two small fries and each had a soda fountain drink, and waited quite impatiently for our buzzer to shake. Finally, our half sheet tray was filled to the edges and stacked with high with condiments and plenty of napkins. Lunchtime was officially in session.

Thinking that because we were on the "Upper West Side," and that this wasn't your typical fast food place the ticket would be a little pricey. It was actually all under $25 for the three of us to stuff our faces with high-quality, meaty goodness, followed by a little crunch of heaven in each perfectly crinkle cut French fry.

Now for the moment the two girls had been waiting for, the "shake" part of the Shake Shack. We made our way to the line once more looking over the dessert items. Though each of them sounded too good to be true, plain vanilla shakes were in order. Light and creamy with each sip coating the inside of your mouth, this was the perfect refreshment to feast on while sitting in a chair getting your toe nails painted a pretty pink, or blue if you're Laura.

—Hailee Moore

Shake Shack, Upper West Side
366 Columbus Ave. (at 77th Street)
646.747.8700

Shake Shack, Madison Square Park
Southeast corner of Madison Square Park,
Near Madison Avenue and 23rd Street
Park New York, NY 10010
212.889.6600

Shake Shack, Citi Field (Home of the New York Mets)
12301 Roosevelt Avenue, Flushing
citifieldshack@shakeshack.com