359 replies to this topic

[mpav]

Which of you sages can tell me how they keep the pigeons away from the place? They are all over the rest of the park, and I'd like to know the answer, especially if it also works on mice.

[Dryden]

An effort to revitalize this thread, as well as add some new information.

The Shake Shack is now open 11-9, although it appears that their hours going forward will be somewhat flexible - it you plan on coming late, you might even want to try calling ahead (probably to eleven madison).

They have added a new shake, in caramel, and now offer a triple shack burger, which I had today for lunch. While is does contain more meat than a double shack, and is still delicious, it is, sadly, too big. You will run out of bun before you run out of meat (although if you're on atkins, this may be a good thing). There also wasn't quite enough sauce to enrich all 3 patties.

It is also worth noting, as no one seems to have mentioned it before, that the cheese fries are simply superb. My wife, who is a connoisseur of such things has informed me that they are the finest such fries she has ever consumed, and that she may like them even better than the burger. While I prefer the fries at Balthazar and Pommes Frites, I will say that the Shack's fries are extremely good, easily the best crinkle-cut, no skin fries I've ever had.

Does anyone know what they plan to do in the winter?

[Dryden]

Which of you sages can tell me how they keep the pigeons away from the place? They are all over the rest of the park, and I'd like to know the answer, especially if it also works on mice.

They don't... most people don't drop any of their food, which helps. For the bits of food left lying on the ground, it's a pigeon free-for-all. I had two roaming around my feet while I was eating (an earlier patron had dropped some fries, I wouldn't dream of doing such a thing) to my great annoyance. Rats with wings, indeed.

[kpurvis]

OK, after missing this place in its incarnation last summer, I've been drooling all this summer. I'm flying in on Sept. 9 and will probably get through airport hell/hotel checkin about 1:30 or so. Can anybody tell me if they'll still be open in September? Should I set my sights there for a late Thursday lunch?

[Fat Guy]

The plan is for the Shake Shack to be open year-round.

[MHesse]

I scored the last hamburger served tonight at the Shake Shack at closing time. It was quite good, especially when compared to the New York Burger Company burger I had 90 minutes previously. Good, fresh, juicy, beefy little burger...far superior to NYBC's dry, over-ground patty.

Friends of mine had custards. All agreed flavor is lacking. The smoothies at NYBC, admitedly a different concoction, were very good.

[kpurvis]

The plan is for the Shake Shack to be open year-round.

Danke. See you in the park.

[juuceman]

new offerings-

the triple shack..
a double shack burger with a shroom burger in the middle..
carmel milkshakes..


enjoy..

[Bux]

While I prefer the fries at Balthazar and Pommes Frites, I will say that the Shack's fries are extremely good, easily the best crinkle-cut, no skin fries I've ever had.

I'm tempted to ask if they're changed their fries. I should imagine they're real potatoes, frozen maybe, but they seemed to capture the essence of processed potato product both times I had them, not terrible, but not good and certainly not in a league with Balthazar.

It's not the sort of food I can really get worked up over, although if the fries were better, I might. It's a very welcome addition to the city and particularly to the neighborhood. I've visited several times and even had "dinner" there twice. The park is a very pleasant place on a nice day. The requirement to consume the beer and wine in a restricted area is most annoying, but that's not their fault and I understand it's difficult for the city to deal with abuses of public consumption of alcohol. Unfortunately, the application here is an invitation to "brown bag" a beer from a grocery store.

What I don't get is how this could be an important culinary destination for an out of town visitor--a great stop on walking tour that brought you close, perhaps, but I'd choose 11 Madison Park or Tabla if I had the time or money for lunch. Then again, on a visit to relatives in western Michigan, we all went out for burgers at what appeared to be a regional institution. It was a huge sprawling old place that was packed with families. Service was most friendly, but an order for mustard on a cheeseburger with onions came with mushrooms. Must have been my NY accent. I was impressed, though not particularly favorably, by the notice on the menu that burgers may not be ordered with lettuce or tomato. The unordered mushrooms appeared to have been boiled or canned--no real surprise and the onions had been heated in oil, but to no advantage. The fries however, were so totally unrewarding that that most of them went uneaten. I can't hardly remember a portion of bad diner fries that I didn't at least finish over half. I do understand how bad this genre of food can be.

And, reading the last post as I previewed mine, I'll probably order the 'shroom burger next time as I've been prepped for it.

[alacarte]

I grabbed a Shake Shack burger on my way home yesterday. It was one of the best burgs I've had in a while -- my only complaint was that it was too small.

The meat was tasty and done perfectly (I prefer my meat done medium, and it was -- though they didn't ask me for preference) and the toppings were fresh and didn't hide the taste of the meat. Not a big fan of the supermarket-style soft bun, it would have benefited from toasting, but overall it still was quite good. I'll be back, and I'll order a double next time.

[okinawaChris]

I'm interested in what makes the fries so good here. It has been stated that they use frozen, crinkle cut fries. So is it only proper cooking or is it possibly the oil. Does anyone expect they might be using an A/V (Animal/Vegetable) oil? Beef lard does add flavor to fries. Or possibly it is the seasoning. Maybe a combination of everything listed...

[Laura B]

As a new eGullet member, I will jump in with my first post: a big thank you for this thread! My husband and I ate at Shake Shack today and thoroughly enjoyed it. We had the Shake Burger with fries. Very good burger and pretty darn good fries, we thought. He had a caramel shake (excellent) and I had chocolate custard with cheesecake brownie on top (also most excellent). We'll be back often, I predict. Today was also a beautiful day to sit in the park with our food. We were there just after 11:00 am, and we didn't have to wait at all.

[Nathan]

I ate there recently as well -- the burgers are indeed terrific -- I'm pretty sure they're done Wisconsin butter-burger style...

the cheese fries I could do without.

it may be my favorite burger in the city -- better than Bar 89 (and certainly better than Corner Bistro--sentimental favorite as it is).

Edited by Nathan, 31 August 2004 - 03:41 PM.

[Fat Guy]

A warm welcome to you, Laura. Hope we'll see more of you.

[Laura B]

Thanks, fat guy! I have been spending hours the last week reading threads. This place is addictive for sure.

[bergerka]

Hey LauraB - slkinsey, SarahD and I just missed you. We ate lunch there around 12:30 yesterday!

Rather, we ARRIVED around 12:30 and ate around 1pm, there was a very long (but friendly) line.

I had the Shack burger with cheese fries and a root beer float. The burger was OUTSTANDING, period (it says they're cooked medium, but mine was medium rare, just how I like it - and I had not specified). The fries were extremely tasty, indeed, but we all agreed that the cheese on 'em isn't worth the extra $ you pay for them.

The root beer float was HUGE, rich and delicious.

We'll be back for lunch, dinner and snacks frequently, I think.

K

[Laura B]

We went back to the Shake Shack today and their custard machine was broken! No custards, concretes, or shakes. :( They said the machine had started smoking. This was just before noon, so maybe they have made repairs by now.

[Laura B]

We stopped by the Shake Shack on Saturday afternoon to get some custard, and the machines were STILL broken. The sign just said no custard, shakes, or concretes "until further notice."

[ahr]

Avoiding the custard, I've now had three Double Shack Burgers (or is it four?). One was slightly overcooked, but the others were so good that they defied all attempts at analysis or deconstruction: I just wolfed them down greedily until they were no more.

[bergerka]

  We stopped by the Shake Shack on Saturday afternoon to get some custard, and the machines were STILL broken.  The sign just said no custard, shakes, or concretes "until further notice."

My guess is that they couldn't get someone to come fix it until after the holiday weekend.

K

[ahr]

Several more Double Shack Burgers. They come overcooked about a third of the time, but are replaced with a smile. Still a messy favorite.

[tupac17616]

I finally got a chance to try the custard on Sunday afternoon. It was such a nice day out, I decided to read in the park for a while (and of course I had to try the custard, since I just happened to be in the park ). I had the vanilla single dip cone. I was very impressed. I loved the texture. It was the first time I had tried frozen custard, but now it definitely won't be the last. I need to go back soon (and next time...vanilla with rainbow sprinkles...my all-time favorite ).

[piperdown]

I just wanted to thank everyone for suggesting this place. I just got back from a few days in NYC, and other then visiting friends this was the place I was dying to go to (Hey, I'm a student on a budget..I can't quite afford per se yet). It didn't disappoint. The weather was beautiful so if nice to just sit outside and people watch while eating one tasty burger and shake. I wish I could have had the custard, but the deep-fried Mars bar I had an hour earlier meant that a double-burger, fries and a caramel shake was all I could take.

Edited by piperdown, 29 September 2004 - 01:52 PM.

[bpearis]

Andrea Strong reports on her website that the Shake Shack will close for the season on November 1, so get your burgers while you can.

[alacarte]

STAMPEDE!!!!!

[Dryden]

I just called the Shake Shack to confirm this - it is indeed true. They expect to re-open some time in March.

And just when I was figuring that the lines would be shorter...

[Jason Perlow]

Received the following communique from USHG:

"Shacktoberfest" will be held at Shake Shack from Monday, October 18 through Friday, October 22. The event will feature special guest, Terry Miller, aka, "The Hot Dog Man" from Fort Collins, Colorado.  Every evening from 5:00pm-9:00pm, Terry will grill a different sausage.  To go along with the special dogs, Shake Shack will offer a special beer and concrete each night. Other Shacktoberfest activities will include:



    * Election Straw Poll - In light of the upcoming election, Shake Shack will offer blue or red straws to each person who orders a beverage, and will post the results at the end of each day.



    * Sundae School - Saturday, October 23, Shake Shack will teach kids how to make frozen custard followed by a "Make your Own Sundae Party."



    * Shake Shack will also unveil three new seasonal concrete flavors including Shakes-Pear in the Park, Carmel Apple with Toasted Pecans, and Pumpkin Pie.



    * Giveaways (t-shirts, sun visors, shorts, etc.), prizes and more fun.



Shake Shack, which opened this past summer, will be closing for the winter, hibernating until Spring. So, last chance to enjoy the mouthwatering hot dogs, burgers and frozen custards for a while...

[Curlz]

"Shake Shack will also unveil three new seasonal concrete flavors including Shakes-Pear in the Park, Carmel Apple with Toasted Pecans, and Pumpkin Pie."

I'm at a total loss. Pear and Pumpkin. Pumpkin and Pear. I read that about six times because I was sure I was mis-reading it. YUUUUUUUUUUUUM!! Thanks for those details, Jason!! I'm there.

[Curlz]

I had a great reason to get in to NYC today...to meet a friend who works at 28th and 5th. And even on this blustery day, you know what that means...lunch from the Shake Shack!! We got there around 1:20, ordered two double Shack Burgers (5.95 ea), an order of fries (1.95), and one each of the Pumpkin Pie and Shakes-PEAR In the Park concretes (6.75 ea). To go. $27.75 total.
There were a few brave souls sitting at the tables, but we stood near the Shack and didn't wait more than 5 minutes for our order. When I was handed the bag, I asked where the concretes were. "In the bag." I must have looked at her like she had three heads. "With the hot food?" Um, yeah. Chalk up one error in packing judgement, crew! She was already calling the next order, so we just took them out of the bag and carried them separately.
Sadly, b/c of the outside temps and lack of cover over them in the bag, the top layer of fries were cold by the time we walked the 5 (short) blocks back to Jim's office. Luckily, the fries were on top of the burgers, keeping them warm. That was a GREAT burger. An AWESOME burger, in fact! And for $5.95!!! Wow. Jim, who just isn't into food, was marvelling at the beautiful tomatoes and the romaine lettuce on his burger, and announced that the fries were really, REALLY good. And I'll have to swim upstream in this thread to find out what's in the sauce. YUM!!
The concretes were less than concrete by the time we got to them. More like soupy. But the Pumpkin one was full of spice, and the Pear is VERY interesting...their 'official' version is with poached pears, chocolate sauce, almond paste and chocolate custard. I'm really not a chocolate kind of gal, so I had them make it with vanilla; it's VERY almondy. But very tasty! It's also in my freezer, so I'll try more of it later when it's a little more um, concrete.
Get there before they close for the season, folks!!

[Dryden]

For those of you trying to get your end of season Shack fix in, the new closing date is November 8th, although they will only be open until 4 PM starting on the 1st.