Burgerquest! Shake Shack - New York City, Madison Square Park

Single Shack Burger

American Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato and Shack Sauce

Cooking Style/Temp: griddled/medium

Additions/Subtractions:  none

Burger: 

The burger was simply put, fantastic. It had a crunchy salty crust and a unique texture. It was the perfect size and done just right. The meat was clearly freshly ground and had packed just so. It really jumped right out at me as being really really really good.

Bun: 

Shake Shack uses toasted Martin’s Potato Rolls which are pretty well-known in the northeast. I had never heard of them until I started reading burger blogs. They have a chewy texture to them and hold up perfectly with burgers. I still prefer Butternut Honey Buns though. (less chewy)

Toppings

I really appreciate the use of a special sauce. I like the alchemy that occurs when you mix different sauces together on a burger. That being said, it didnt really jump out at me like the burger did, especially after they have a special name for it. The lettuce and tomatoes tasted fresh and good. They did their job.

Accoutrements: 

I love a good krinkle cut fry, and these may very well be the best I’ve ever had. I don’t know what they’re fried in, but I would guess something other than vegetable or canola oil because there is a definite beefy depth to them. Incredible for a fast food french fry.

If you’re not getting a burger (because you’re a damned fool!) theres a separate quick line for shakes and stuff. Comes in handy, but seriously, why the hell wouldn’t you get a burger here? 

Atmosphere

It doesn’t get much more romantic for me than eating burgers then sharing a milkshake with someone at dusk with twinkle lights and trees overhead in Madison Square Park in the middle of New York City with the Flatiron Building to your left and the Empire State Building to your right. But I’m just a dreamer.

The serve was also super fast, efficient and friendly. Having to crank out burgers like that you’ve gotta be a well-oiled machine and they definitely were up to the task. 

Overall

I was in a rush to catch my bus and I forgot that the lines at Shake Shack are typically long, so I didn’t get to immediately sit and eat my burger fresh from the window, which makes how good the burger was when I did actually get to sit down and eat it all the more remarkable. Everytime I see someone I know that is going to NYC, I tell them to get to Shake Shack, so there was no way that I was going to not heed my own advice, no matter how crunched for time I was. Next time I’ll make sure not to wedge it in between stopping at a bar for two Shiner Bocks before having to rush to Penn Station.

(note: the last photo belongs to http://freefoodboston.wordpress.com/)