The Shake Shack Shack Stack Burger

The Burger Battle of the Best continues...
The Shake Shack in Madison Square Park is known not only for their burgers ground from brisket but also the incredibly long line that they memorialize on t-shirts. I tried going on a chilly November evening once, and the line was so long I couldn't see the place. Then I heard they were at the new Mets stadium, but I refuse to watch millionaires hit balls with a stick unless they're hitting their own scrotes. So when Firecracker said they opened a new one on Columbus & 77th, we hopped a train and headed there forthwith.

Lookin' all upper west sidey 'n shit

It's the perfect location to eat a cubic assload of delicious calories, right near Central Park so you can walk it off. I think you'd have to walk the circumference of the park 47 times, but it's worth it. The Shake Shack burger is one of the best in the city.

It took us about 15 minutes to order and get our food; they offer a vegetarian option (full menu), a portabello mushroom cap stuffed with muenster and cheddar, breaded and fried. I said vegetarian, not healthy! And if that sounds awesome but you also want meat, you can get the Double Stack or the Shack Stack, which have 1 or 2 beef patties as well as the 'shroom. They are massive and delicious. I did not eat for 7 hours after this meal, and even then, I picked.

I am Shack Stack, hear me burble

The Shack Stack is positively Presleyian in stature and flavor. I managed to hold it together even after the cheese magma began erupting from the 'shroom patty. It reminded me of a Jucy Lucy (sic) from Matt's Bar in Minneapolis, where they stuff two patties with cheese. They are painfully delicious. The Stack's cheese was a bit cooler.

The 'shroom patty about to explode

The Double Stack just has 1 patty and is more manageable. Firecracker had one of those. We couldn't finish our shakes, they were so filling. The shakes are pretty good but very strong in flavor. She had a peanut butter one that was like drinking Jif. Not as good as it sounds. I had a black & white malt that had good flavor, a bit too thick to drink, and if you can believe it, too chocolatey. They'd probably have tasted better alone. Next time? Floats. They use Abita root beer.So good it's worth eating outside on a bench

Their fries are very good too- crinkle cut, but the oil is immaculate and leaves them light and golden. The brisket patty is very juicy and while it lacked the full beef flavor of a Ray's Hell, Les Halles, or 5 Napkin, it beats the Burger Shoppe and the Burger Joint handily. (I've reviewed all those here) The Shake Shack is a place we'll definitely return to- but I will have one of their "plain ol' burgers" next time. The Shack Stack conquered me, and perhaps was too much of a very good thing. Share one with someone you love.


View Larger Map