Shake Shack

If someone asked me what the most famous restaurant in New York City is, I think I would have to go with Shake Shack. Yeah, people might disagree because there’s Shake Shack in other cities and it’s a burger place, not a pizza place or deli (Katz’s Deli is right up there though), but there’s just something about it that screams New York. Ask me to explain that one and I can’t really, sorry. What I do know is that the service is fast, the burgers are just the right size, and they’re incredibly juicy.

To me, it just seems like the quintessential go-to place to grab lunch. Maybe part of the reason I think that is because the Madison Square Park location has been  featured in so many TV shows and movies, that there’s just this wonderful dreamy notion in my head of heading to the park to grab a burger and enjoy the sunshine amidst the skyscrapers.

When I went to Shake Shack for the first time, I got the SmokeShack burger, which  is a cheeseburger topped with applewood smoked bacon, chopped cherry pepper, and ShackSauce. I think I either misread the menu when I ordered or I read it too quickly, because I thought the cherry peppers were tomatoes when I was eating and didn’t realize until I was 3/4 of the way done. It led to an interesting food experience thinking I was eating some spicy tomatoes. But that was my bad! Overall, I had a thoroughly enjoyable Shake Shack experience made even better when eaten with one of their thick, creamy shakes.

Also, man, let me tell you, Shake Shack has the most intoxicating smell. I have to pass it every day on my way to and from the subway and I’m almost dragged in there every time just based on the aroma of their burgers and fries. Walk by one sometime and see what I mean.

SmokeShack burger and a black and white shake

154 E 86th St
New York, NY 10128

(multiple locations)