Shake Shack, a Hot Dog Cart turned Burger Legend

My first interaction with Shake Shack was at the 2009 Burger Bash at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. Shack fever was in full bloom in New York, and I was ecstatic that I would be able to try their signature burger in South Florida.

And then I had it and thought, what’s the fuss all about? I didn’t get it.

The following year at the 2010 Burger Bash, they were back, plus they were also 6 months away from opening their 2nd location (South Beach). But this time, when I tried it, it was different. I immediately got back in line and got a second Shack Burger…..

Kids……And that’s the story of my love affair with the Shack Burger.

Shake Shack Miami has a new Vice
*Shake Shack Miami has a new Vice

If you’re a first-timer, I suggest you try out the single ShackBurger, cheese fries, and the Key Lime Pie oh My Concrete. It’s a good solid introduction to what they do best. I prefer their fresh-squeezed lemonade over a soft drink. If you go the hot dog route, do the regular one with their cheese sauce.

Some folks love Shack Shack, and some don’t find anything special about it. To the latter, I say, “Better for me!” Fewer people will be in the drive-thru line when I’m getting my food.

There are four Shake Shack restaurants near me; to see a list of locations, go here.

Shake Shack Hot Dog Cart

Shake Shack Original Hot Dog Cart
*Shake Shack Original Hot Dog Cart

Yes, that’s the original Shake Shack Hot Dog Cart, which they wheeled out every summer between 2001 through 2003 in New York City’s Madison Square Park. In 2004, the actual Shake Shack stand opened, and then the mania ensued.

Until Shake Shack posted this picture, I was beginning to think that there never was a cart or that they were trying to give themselves some street cred.

Oh well, I was wrong. And who needs street creed when you have the Shack Burger anyways?

Shake Shack Menu Additions Over The Years

The Shake Shack menu has expanded over the years to include all the tasty fellows listed below.

Shake Shack Burgers Galore
Shake Shack Burgers Galore

Chick’n Bites

Chick'n Bites
Chick’n Bites with Honey Mustard & BBQ Sauces

Crispy all-white-meat chicken bites, hand-breaded and served with BBQ or honey mustard sauce

Chick’n Shack

Chick'n Shack
Chick’n Shack

It’s an all-natural, anti-biotic free fried chicken breast w/lettuce, pickles & a slathering of herb mayo

Hot Chick’n

Extra Hot Chick'n Closeup
Hot Chick’n

Crispy chicken breast dusted with a guajillo & cayenne pepper blend and topped with slaw and pickles

Smoke Shack

Double Smoke Shack
Double Smoke Shack

If you care for someone, you keep close tabs on what they’re up to. I was aware that Shake Shack had a bacon-topped burger at one of their locations in NYC, and I was wondering if it would ever make its way down here. 

I asked and asked, and then at Burger Bash (February 2012), Shake Shack served up the SmokeShack Burger (American cheese, applewood smoked bacon, cherry pepper relish & ShackSauce) to the thousands in attendance.

Then, I finally got my grubby hands on it and was (and still am) ecstatic over it. Those who missed it can rest easy, as it’s on the menu at the SoBe Shake Shack!

Seasonal & Limited Time Menu Items

A Chili Themed Menu

Chili Cheeseburger

Chili Cheeseburger
Chili Cheeseburger

Cheeseburger topped with a smoked and slow-braised beef chili with ancho and chile de arbol peppers

Chili Cheese Dog

Chili Cheese Dogs
Chili Cheese Dogs

Vienna beef hot dog topped with a smoked and slow-braised beef chili with ancho and chile de arbol peppers

Chili Cheese Fries

Chili Cheese Fries
Chili Cheese Fries

Crinkle-cut fries topped with cheese sauce and smoked and slow-braised beef chili with ancho and chile de arbol peppers

Dapper Dog

Shake Shack Dapper Dan
Dapper Dan

 A Vienna all-beef hot dog topped with Shack cheddar and American cheese sauce and crispy ShackMeister Ale marinated shallots

Harry’s Pizzeria Collab

Harry's Shorty Burger
Harry’s Shorty Burger

Harry’s Shorty Burger
Burger topped with all of the toppings of Harry’s signature Short Rib Pizza: juicy slow-roasted beef short rib, caramelized onions, arugula, and gruyère cheese

July 4th

Shake Shack July 4th
Shake Shack July 4th

Corn Dog

Corn Dog with Sweet Corn Relish
Corn Dog with Sweet Corn Relish

A Vienna dog dipped in their corn batter and fried up as all good corn dogs are. It’s served with Rick’s Picks Sweet Corn Relish

Roadside Shack

Roadside Shack Sign
Roadside Shack Sign
Roadside Shack
Double Roadside Shack

A 100% all-natural Angus beef cheeseburger topped with caramelized onions simmered in beer and bacon

Shacktoberfest

Shacktoberfest 2011

Brat Burger
A burger topped with a split & griddled Bratwurst finished with German-style slaw

ShackMeister Marinated Cheddar Brat
Griddle crisp & served with sauerkraut and grainy mustard

Currywurst
Griddled & sliced Bratwurst topped with Shack-made curry ketchup and served with fries

Shacktoberfest 2012

Cheddar Brat Burger
Cheddar Brat Burger

Cheddar Brat Burger
All-natural hamburger topped with a griddled cheddar bratwurst, crispy ShackMeister Ale marinated shallots and ShackSauce

Spicy Brat
Andouille sausage griddled and served with German-style slaw

Currywurst
Our spin on the Oktoberfest classic; served on a toasted potato roll and topped with crispy ShackMeister Ale marinated shallots and curry ketchup

Bavarian Brat
For the purist; a griddled bratwurst topped with Dusseldorf mustard

Shake Shack Events

Opening Day at Shake Shack Miami Beach

Shake Shack Miami Beach Opening Day Menu
Shake Shack Miami Beach Opening Day Menu
Miami Beach Opening Day Line
Miami Beach Opening Day Line – June 16th, 2010
Shake Shack Miami Beach Opening Day
Miami Beach Opening Day

Coral Gables Opening Media Event

Shake Shack’s restaurant in Coral Gables opened in the old JJ’s American Diner spot, originally built as a Howard Johnson’s.

Shake Shack Coral Gables Grand Opening Media Event
Media Check-In Sign
Lounging Outside Shake Shack Coral Gables
Lounging Outside
The scene inside the Grand Opening
The scene inside the Grand Opening
Shake Shake Cups
These are in need of some wine
Meal at Coral Gables Grand Opening
My meal at Coral Gables Grand Opening
Shake Shack Founder Danny Meyer & Burger Beast
Shake Shack Founder Danny Meyer & Burger Beast

The Shack Goes Mobile

Shake Shack Food Truck

Shake Shack Food Truck
*Shake Shack Food Truck

Shake Shack launched two food trucks in late February 2019. One of the mobile vending vehicles is located in the greater tri-state area (NY, NJ, CT, + PA), and the other is in the Atlanta metro area. The food truck can be booked for events or private parties.

On the Burger BEASTmobile

Street Food Fridays February 2011
Street Food Fridays February 11th, 2011

We’re going way back here to early 2011. To my knowledge, the first time Shake Shack made a food truck appearance was on my Burger BEASTmobile. At the time, I was co-hosting a series of food truck events for the Miami Herald, Street Food Fridays.

Many folks don’t even know or remember that I owned a food truck once upon a time. Shake Shack did a pop-up on my truck on the Friday, February 11th, 2011, edition of Street Food Fridays. Many happy folks came out for lunch that afternoon at the Adrienne Arsht Center.

Shake Shack on the Burger Beastmobile
Shake Shack on the Burger BEASTmobile
People in line at the Burger Beastmobile
People in line at the Burger BEASTmobile
Burger Beastmobile with Shake Shack
BEASTmobile with Shake Shack

Shake Shack Fries & Concretes

Shake Shack Cheese Fries
Cheese Fries

You’ll notice that the fries and concretes got little to no mention in this post. It’s not because I dislike them but because my main focus at Shake Shack is the burgers and chicken.

Sometimes, I’m too stuffed to eat anything else but that cheese sauce though, damn, it’s good.

*picture courtesy of Shake Shack

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