If I could actually open a window at the office I'm working in, I could probably spit on the Shake Shack. Not that I'd want to. Because today, I went down at 11:45 to beat the lunchtime crowd for the first of what will probably be many artery-assaulting visits over the course of the summer. After a five minute wait on line to order and another 7 minutes waiting at the pick up window on this gorgeous spring day, I had 18 minutes left to wolf down my lunch. It's a shame, because I'd love to be one of those park loiterers, enjoying a slow lunch by the gurgling fountain under the budding trees of Madison Square Park.
I went for the classics for my inaugural meal -- a junior whopper sized Shack Burger with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and "Shack sauce", cheese fries, and a root beer float with their frozen custard (think Mister Softee, except made of real cream, tastes good and actually melts). I was pleasantly surprised by the superiority of each item. The burger was perfect -- savory and flavorful with excellent browning along the crisp edges, on a pillowy but not fragile bun. I can't say the Shack sauce tasted like anything special -- in fact, it needed a little ketchup help. The crinkle-cut fries were well-seasoned and perfectly crisp, with a melted American cheese sauce that began to congeal quickly as it cooled, though not in an entirely unpleasant way. The crowning acheivement was the root beer float in a tall waxed paper cup, one large blob of incredibly creamy and light vanilla frozen custard floating in root beer bubbles. Portion sizes are perfect for me, but others might find them a little meager. When I'm eating this kind of food, it feels much better to not overdo it; that way, I don't have to feel guilty about going back very, very soon.
Grade: A
Total: $11.50 for a Shack burger, cheese fries, and a root beer float
Will I return? Yes. Possibly Saturday. Possibly sooner. I'm intrigued by the Shack Trilogy (Shack burger topped with mushroom and...another burger?) and the concretes. Where else are you going to get Valhrona chocolate chunks to mix in your ice cream?
Shake Shack
Madison Square Park
At 23rd St & Madison Ave
R train to 23rd St., 6 train to 23rd St., F to 23rd St.
The Chicago dogs and concretes are good to. In fact a single burger and a Chicago dog is a way to maximize variety for around $5.
I work close by too, but have only been once so far, since the lines and wait are a bit outrageous. But I do enjoy it, especially since I'm from St. Louis, and this is basically the one bit of St. Louis style food they have here (Danny Meyer is from somewhere around St. Louis). The concrete & frozen custard originated in St. Louis, and the burgers are just like midwestern chain Steak & Shake, except with less grease. I do wish Shake Shack had a small concrete though, what they give you is a bit much for me.
I'll have to go back one of these days when I get hungry early or late in the day.
My carnivorous boyfriend went three times in the first week it opened because he says it's the best thing to eat in the area. Since then I think he still goes at least once a week. I hear the secret is to get there before 11:30, or after 2:30 to avoid the insane lines.