Shake Shack Shakedown

        This review is spread out over three visits to the Upper West Side Shake Shack. Instead of having a huge post about the many cups and cones of creamy, velvety custards I have consumed in the past few months, I am just going to stick to the hot food. Though I think the Custard Calendar is brilliant! The first week of every month, I satisfyingly bypass those waiting to order hot food via the C-line and ask for a single scoop of a new flavor each day! Bring it on! – G.G. Merkel. All photos by G.G. Merkel.

Standard Shack Burger

        A 4-oz patty ground from premium beef, with melted oozing American cheese. A press of my hands into the potato bun, which has absorbed the grease from the meat, causes juice to leak out of the meat and flavor the leaf lettuce, contrasting red, plum, tomatoes, heightening the flavor of the Shack Sauce. Perfectly pink in the center, my patty was unusually salty. I mean really salty. 

        My lunch buddy and I deliberated over the sauce’s thickness. (Maybe an addition of shortening?) She wolfed down a Double Shack Burger, while I ate only half of mine to save room for Custard of course.

        I think my ventures into the Custard Calendar are worthy of their own post, but the flavor of that day was Flan.

        A vanilla based custard, with hints of cinnamon Dulce De Leche and lemon. Tangy, spiced and creamy, it was an interesting partner with an addition of that May’s special topping of rhubarb.

Shack-Cago Dog

        Before my hot dog experience at the Shake Shack, one of these puppies had not passed my lips in three years. I have resisted the urge to order hot dogs with my peers at baseball games or from stands in the park, but for the sake of this Shake Shack review, I went for the big kahuna of hot dogs: the one piled with the most toppings.

        The poppyseed bun was overwhelming, and I tore a good half-inch of bread before getting a bite that included any topping or Vienna all-beef goodness. One rule of a Chicago dog is that one flavor of the topping should never overpower the others, but meld into one unique mega topping, all its own.

        My hands squished the bun and caused toppings to overflow into my mouth; one giant flavor of spice, tang from white onion and quality meat. I could only handle a few bites of this mega dog before I realized, despite the quality goods, I am not a hot dog fan.

        Still hungry, I munched on zig-zag fries, some crunchy and some soggy. Hmm… what to order, what to order? My friend had ordered and consumed her plain burger and bun, and sat next to me digesting. I decided to go all out for a Double Stack.

Double Stack

        It is colossal, the size of a regulation softball if not larger, and delicious. First, let me describe what is included. A classic Shack Burger (4-oz cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato and Shack sauce) topped by a ‘Shroom Burger,’ which is a Portabello mushroom cap stuffed with muenster and cheddar cheese, fried golden in a heavenly creation, the size and shape of a Ring Ding.

        When I brought this back to the table, my friend’s eyes widened, similar to the potato bun whose bread hinge stretched to the breaking point around its contents. The Double Stack is so large, I had trouble finding the bottom of my bun; hidden and barely able to cover half of the American-cheese-covered beef patty. The amount of cheese in this meal would make any cow cry.

        My teeth sunk into the crusted outer shell and burst forth a luscious creamy, smooth and hot emulsion of melted cheese.

        Steam streamed from the hollow inside and gooey strands of cheddar clung to the surrounded beef and bun. Defiantly do not eat this if you are on a date or trying to impress your eating partner. The cheese takes over. I think I find this so delicious because of it’s high caloric, creamy texture.

        The beef flavor is lost among added layers of cheese, the bun is nowhere in site, the tomatoes and lettuce slide out onto your mini metal tray and your attention is more focused on whether strands of hair find their way into your meal, or if cheese is hanging on your chin. Try it for the experience, but other wise order the Shroom Burger or the Shack Burger separately.

Corn Dog

        The day after Memorial Day I visited the Shack Shake to find that they were serving up Corn Dogs. I decided to give the hot dog one more try and ordered one for myself.       

        Served on the side was a bright yellow corn relish. When I think of corn dog, I think fluffy and not visibly greasy. This on the other hand had a thin, mealy crust that was visibly greasy and left marks on its container. I can’t really say I enjoyed it.

        The crust had no flavor and merely veiled the robust taste of the hot dog. The relish was vinegary, sweet and had a spicy aftertaste.

        The quality of the meat is above the standard fare and exceptionally seasoned but it still eludes me why New York City, in the midst to keep thin and healthy (not to mention in a recession), would form hour long wait-lines to order burgers that are not only caloric, but priced at $9. Guess you’ll have to wait in line and find out for yourself.

Shake Shack, 366 Columbus Ave, 646 747 8770