Tuesday, February 21, 2012

SO HURRY UP, AND BRING YOUR JUKEBOX MONEY: Dexter's Dad reviews Shake Shack for the NYT, hailing the service, shakes, hot dogs and democratizing features while decrying the inconsistency of the burgers and hating on the crinkle-cut french fries.

Shake Shack opens its first Philadelphia location -- a block and a half from my office -- this summer.

6 comments:

  1. I've never tried the hot dogs, but he's right on about the fries, which are pretty blah.  Bareburger does have awesome fries, but it's pricey--a burger/fries/shake cost me over $25 last time, even if the meal was decent.  I haven't tried FoodParc or Shake 'n' Shake Signature (though I've been to other Steak 'n' Shakes), and feel I need to try them, but FoodParc's hours are insane--only 11-6 Monday-Friday?

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  2. Joseph J, Finn12:38 AM

    And yet the NYT hasn't reviewed Steak & Shake yet?

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  3. Paul Tabachneck8:54 AM

    It's actually about time someone commented on the inconsistencies that have arisen from the Shake Shack's growth, although I've always wondered how a LaFrieda burger maintains consistency patty-to-patty in the first place -- unless they're sliced off of giant terrines, how can the blend and, therefore, the cooking time from patty to patty, stay the same?

    I'm in total disagreement about the mushroom patty, btw, but I'm not a vegetarian, I'm a food junkie.  My favorite thing to do as a reward to self used to be to get a couple of comics (before Cosmic Comics changed hands and a couple of idiots took over the shop), then relax with a Shack Stack (A Shackburger with the mushroom patty added in) and a caramel malted (salted if they've got it), which I would use the fries as a spoon for.  

    On that note, I completely agree with his assessment of the fries -- they always take me back to the high-school cafeteria, and who wants to be reminded of that?  Unless Meyer wants to start incorporating a potato-cutter into each of his locations, I wish he'd change them.

    Lest you think that's not feasible:

    http://www.youtube.com/v/cvnUpNqmpF8&feature" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="170" height="140

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  4. AbbyG9:05 AM

    Fries and milkshakes from any joint can never beat Nifty Fifty's... There aren't any in center city but they're around.  And ABSOLUTELY WORTH throwing the family in the car and hitting it.

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  5. Jordan11:07 AM

    Whenever I hear Shake Shack, I think of this

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  6. Andrew11:48 AM

    Five Guys does fresh cut fries across all of their locations. I don't understand why Meyer doesn't. I think that the reason they went with frozen fries originally was because there's just not a lot of space at the Madison Square Park stand, but in the other locations, the space doesn't seem like it would be an issue. The fries are edible, but disappointing. 

    But it's also credible that Shake Shack deserves a NYT star. It not only produces high quality food with higher standards than most fast food, but has also inspired clones and competitors and elevated the NYC burger into an art form.  In some cases, the students have surpassed the master. 

    I do love the fact that the vegatarian option (the shroom burger) at the Shack is the least healthy option. It's a giant goopy mess of cheese inside a fried mushroom. If I didn't feel my arteries clogging every time I ate it, I'd eat it more often. 

    I agree with Wells that when SS is at its best, it's a transcendent fast food experience. But on other times, it's just simply good. Which is why I'm consistently disappointed by the 8th Ave/44th Street location. It's the one holdout with long lines and consistently the least smashed burger. 

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