20 minutes for a hot dog and it still was not ready.... I ended up just leaving. I'll just go to seven eleven. Sure, jcl80513@yahoo.com I have hear fantastic thing about shake shack, this was the first time I've had the chance to try it, needless to say my wife was on fire about the experience. read more

Burgers were on point! Shake was delicious. And may I add that their chicken bites... WAAAAYYY better than chick-fil-a chicken bites. Angus meat so juicy it be falling apart as it's making its way to your mouth. Burger bun so soft. Bacon with a nice crisp to it. Cheese melting. Mmmmm yeah baby! Definitely coming back after my first ever visit. Go check it out! Big Ed said so. read more

Came back a second time. Counter staff was rude. As I type this two employees are standing next to me talking about how much they hate working here and can't afford to live with the pay. I've struggled for years so I understand but talking about it in Front of customers is not cool. I also watched them give the wrong order to two different guests while i was waiting for my food. Original review It's ok. Nothing to write home about. Pretty expensive compared to the food you get. The burgers are small but tasty. The fries are crinkle cut and for $3.00 an order you could find better. The cheese sauce has a weird taste to it, not awful but it doesn't taste like cheese. My go to is the Vienna beef hot dog because it's $3.00 and you can't really go wrong with an all beef hot dog. The shakes are expensive but are the real show stoppers here. The cookies and cream concrete is pretty legit. read more

Shake Shack River North - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great spot for a burger and fries! I popped in here having just arrived in town with a hankering for a cheeseburger in the midst of a downpour. I came to the right place. There's a huge menu on the wall right as you walk in. I'd had Shake Shack only once before, and had a terrible cold so the experience was rather dulled. I went for the most basic order, the single ShackBurger and crinkle cut fries. It came to around $8 - not bad. The bun is pretty small and on the doughy side, which I enjoy as a change of pace from other burger chains. I like that the patty is well-seasoned. There was too much sauce and I ended up having to wipe some off with my fries, but apart from that, I think it all works together nicely. I did wish I'd gone for the cheese fries but, fortunately, there was mayo on the side and little cups for dipping sauces so this European weirdo was happy with that. The staff were nice, the place was pretty clean and there was plenty of seating and space to hide out from the rain. read more

Really disappointed by the lack of care and quality that went into my burger. Honestly, I like Shake Shack, and the ones I have been to in California have never disappointed. Came here after a night of drinking looking for a good buffer for the next morning. Naturally the easy choice was the SmokeShack with the bacon. I'm not sure if prices differ on location and area but I don't remember the burgers here being that pricey, especially for the portion size and what you're getting. Nevertheless, what I received was a lazy c-tier assortment of meat between two depressing buns. I only wish I remembered to take a photo to commemorate my lack of desire to ever return to this location, and my experience with the food has severely hurt my opinion of the brand. This ain't supposed to be another McDonald's, but at least there you know what you're getting into. read more

Eat here several times, sometime good, sometimes bad, really bad. The bad attitude, when they gave our food to other customers. Bad food when waiting line is too long. The employees not even know what is and how to use the APP, how could you expect customer be interested in it? Sometimes the burger is fresh and okay. Location is good. If you are in a rush or not have enough time to wait, don't try it. read more

the wait was very minimal which is nice after traveling all day and being hungry. the ordering process is a little confusing on the kiosks because it asks for a table number or a takeout number which there were neither of. but nonetheless, we ended up being satisfied and left with full stomachs read more

Ordered ahead of time for pickup at 1:42. Staff unorganized, and after attempts made at checking for food, they said they'd call me. Well it's 2:05 and people picking up online orders before me are still there. Finally check with another employee and my food was at the front pickup counter for over 20 min. The whip cream was liquid and the shake not cold at all. Given how big a pain in the butt this whole experience was, I just took it and left. Will not be returning. read more

Decent place. Lots of open seating and food comes out pretty quick. Had the shake-ago dog which is their version of Chicago dog. Pretty good and legit, with pickles, tomato, cucumber, peppers, and celery salt which is the secret and authentic way. read more

Shake Shack River North - Shake-ago dog - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This was the first Shake Shack I ever visited, and it set the precedent for me having to find one in every city I visit! It can get a little spendy, but the beef is high-grade, and that may be why. I always order the Smoke Shack, which is a burger with red peppers atop it. It is so juicy and delicious. I recommend the cheese fries. The cheese is very creamy and adds to the whole experience. The wait at this particular location tends to be awhile. It is a very busy spot in the middle of downtown Chicago, so there is usually a wait out the door. read more

Shake Shack River North - Double Smoke Shacks and Cheese Fries - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great cheeseburgers and fantastic custard shakes. Highly recommended. Note: This place gets packed. Remember to use the shake line for faster service, if you don't want to eat there. Convenient downtown Chicago location. A great place to stop by after shopping or a neighborhood walk. read more

When you want to shake up your burger rotation (and you are a die hard in and out fan)..... this is one of those go to places. Shakes are amazing and new flavors are always popping up. Fav burger is the combo of meat and portobello mushroom. Perfect amount of cheesy. read more

Love Shack! The very first Shake Shack opened in Chicago, IL in early November & I had been dying to try these East Coast burgahs ever since they set up shack on the Gold Coast...me & every other Chicagoan & their brutha! Every time I walked by, there was an insane line & no place to sit inside. A few times I waited in line for awhile & the line never budged so I bailed...I will only wait so impatiently long for glorified fast food. I am not a patient person! When I finally made it in, I ordered a single, Shake burger which is a single patty that is dressed with leaf lettuce, thick-cut tomatoes, a slice of melted American cheese & Shake sauce, which I declined. This was all neatly layered on a soft, yellow potato bun. I always get lettuce-wrapped burgers if available or just toss the bun & eat the burger naked with a fork, if lettuce-wrapping isn't an option.  Well, lettuce-wrapping isn't an option at SS but somehow this burger looked too appetizing & picture-perfect even for me to deconstruct. So going against my diet restrictions, I decided to take just a "sample bite of the burger with the bun" which then turned into me shamelessly polishin' off the rest of the entire burger & bun & all its mouth-waterin' glory! Once I bit into it, it was love at first bite.  The griddled burger with the melted American cheese, crisp lettuce & fresh, sliced tomatoes sandwiched between the perfectly-sized/proportioned, pillowy, potato bun melted together for a flava explosion in my mouth! I couldn't imagine eating this burger without this bun, it was so fresh & tasty! I never eat buns nor order American cheese on my burgers, but I ate every last bite if that tells you anything... The fries aren't gourmet at SS. They're not hand-cut, or fried in duck fat, or coated in sea salt or Cajun spices or truffled or animal-style. Rather they are just the old-school, thick, crinkle-cut variety everyone loves so much that when SS tried to replace them with a fancier fry it caused mass mayhem. These classic fries were piping-hot, soft with crisp edges & the perfect sidekick to my perfect classic, Shake burger. It was truly a picture-perfect, simple American meal.  The ambience here is trendy & cool & hardly a shack. It's rather upscale-looking on the inside for a place servin' up cheap eats with sheik, wooden table tops & cool, Chicago-themed wall art. The restaurant is a big, modern, sleek, open space with lotsa seating, but you'll still be hard pressed to find a table as there's a full house around the clock. I also love the Shake Shack sign on the outside of the building. It's in big, capital letters & on top is an adorable, neon-green cheeseburger. (Green is my fave color!) It's very eye-catching & shines & looks so sleek & sexy as you're walkin' towards it. I would go here just based on that, even if I didn't know what SS was!  Some other burger bites: You get a pager that vibrates to alert you when your food is ready to be picked up at the counter. The food is served on sleek, metal, SS paper-lined trays. There are hot dogs & decadent-lookin' shakes sold too at SS which I didn't try. I'm sure they are good, but really I'm goin' to SS only for the burgers & fries! If patience isn't your virtue like yours truly, try getting there when they first open or go late afternoon, or wait & go on a late week night if ya don't want to wait in a real, long line.  At first I was disappointed SS doesn't offer a lettuce-wrap option such as In & Out, Five Guys, M Burger, etc. But it also doesn't offer gourmet burgers, or a wide-range of toppings either so don't go expectin' such. Judging by the non-stop crowds at SS & my first reaction, SS has found the recipe of burger success servin' up really good, classic, old-school burgers without all the fuss & options the way we first ate cheeseburgers before they started "trending". To say SS is better than In & Out, Five Guys or any of its other "similar, market-place competitors" isn't really the same comparison to me since SS isn't tryin' to offer as many options. It's somehow completely different to me, simpler but just as tasty & in a shinier shack! I'm glad SS keeps it simple & doesn't offer lettuce-wrappin' or all the extra goodies cuz my Shake meal was the quintessential, classic burger & fries that I had forgotten about & missed. Is it overhyped, maybe?! Or maybe we consumers are just happy that somebody is still sellin' damn good, cheeseburgers & fries the classic, Americana way! Shake Shack was definitely one of the best things that happened to Chi-town in 2014! Happy Holidays & to all peace, love & burger & fries from Shake Shack! read more

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I have eaten at Shake Shack locations in DC and New York, and have wanted to try the fairly new location in Chicago. My bud and I wound up at Shake Shack at Ohio and Rush Streets on the evening of Boxing Day, so it actually was busy though the line did not snake out the door. We were probably in line about ten minutes, which was not too bad and allowed us to survey the menu. While Shake Shack has some standard items, they tout that they are using some local ingredients and have some unique relationships with local establishments such as Bang Bang Pies and Glazed and Infused. After ordering, we were each handed a numbered buzzer which is supposed to go off when your order is ready. The key word is "supposed" (more on that in a bit). The seating area is packed this evening, so now we are hovering around awkwardly looking for an open table. After about 15 minutes we did snag a free table for two. We are chatting amiably, when my bud realizes that about 40 minutes have passed and our buzzers were still silent. I noticed some buzzers going off across the room, but apparently both of our buzzers were defective. We each had to go up to the counter and ask what was going on. Once they noticed that our receipts showed the imprinted ordering time, the staff threw our orders together right away. It's a shame that the technology was a huge fail on this occasion - the staff was efficient and not really to blame. There is a counter with a water dispenser and cups, and condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo packs). We each went with the SmokeShack, a single cheeseburger densely topped with applewood smoked bacon, chopped cherry pepper and "ShackSauce" (the cherry pepper really added a kick to the burger). My bud ordered his crinkle cut fries straight, while I added extra calories with cheese sauce (yummy, but not good for my tummy). I ordered a concrete rather than a shake, and that turned out to be a disappointing choice for me. The cup of s'mores concrete featured vanilla and chocolate frozen custard plus s'mores pie from Bang Bang Pies, but the concrete was too soft and could have been slurped down without a spoon. I was hoping to taste some pie crust bits, but to my knowledge there were only a few spare marshmallows and chocolate bits in the concrete. Maybe this item would have been better if the pie were a topping rather than a mix-in. It tasted good, but texturally it was not effective at all. So my initial local Shake Shack experience was definitely a mixed bag. read more

Shake Shack River North - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It wasn't quite A-Ok, so I must say that I've had better. What Shake Shack fans see in this place, I don't quite understand. Even though I don't consume burgers often, I go into each experience with an open mind. This time was no different. As we walked in, we noticed the line of people. With that many people in line, they must got something going on, right? The line went along quickly and smoothly. The menu on the wall, to the left, helped in that process. But we knew what we were there for, right? A burger and fries... so here's the scoop. The burger was thinner than I expected. The bun was nothing more than one of the generic hamburger buns that you find in the grocery store. I wasn't a fan of the sauce. I asked for extra pickles, but even that execution didn't doctor up the burger enough to impress me. The fries were borderline disgusting. I'm a huge fry fan, so you know that they had to be pretty bad. If I give another Shake Shack a chance, I'll move in slowly, trying a shake. I wouldn't ever again or recommend that you devote an entire Chicago meal to SS, especially considering that you end up spending about the same amount of money on the meal. read more

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Oh, Shake Shack, where do I begin? Yes, they are comparable to In-N-Out. However, I feel that the quality of the ingredients at Shake Shack justifies the premium price tag. Their wonderful potato buns are soft and slightly sweet, the tomatoes are vibrant, the lettuce is not cheap iceberg lettuce, and the meat is hand crafted and cooked to a healthy medium. If you don't care for veggies in your burger, their SmokeShack is a safe choice, with crisp bacon instead of lettuce and tomatoes. Their shakes are also some of the best- insanely creamy, rich, and indulgent. My favorite is hands down, the black & white. Their crinkle cut fries are fairly average but a notch better than In-N-Out's fries, in my opinion. Skip the cheese fries- the cheese sauce tastes generic and similar to nacho cheese. Also, if the featured lemonade flavor is strawberry, give it a shot. Their strawberry lemonade is phenomenal. Seating is plentiful and the line moves very quickly. Service is always paired with a smile so in the customer service department, they're on par with In-N-Out. It's tough to compare the best of both worlds but Shake Shack definitely satisfies if you're in the Midwest. read more

Shake Shack River North - The ShackBurger with cheese fries and a black & white shake. - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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To all my In-N-Out lovers in the Bay Area, Shake Shack is a must try if you're ever in the Chicago/East Coast Area!! For a fast food chain, they really have a lot to offer. From delicious burgers, to cheese fries, to $5 Beers on Tap, and different flavors of custards/milkshakes... who can complain? My personal favorite is the cheeseburger with their secret sauce. The bun is so soft and just somehow melts in your mouth when you take your first bite. The cheese fries are also worth trying and love that they use crinkle fries... YUM! Luckily this location is really close to the Magnificent Mile and was only a 7 minute walk away from our hotel at the Hyatt Regency. This is definitely a MUST if you're visiting from California. :) read more

Shake Shack River North - Cheese fries so good... - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

In N Out or Shake Shack?! Any burger lover will know that these two heavy weight chains have been vying for the title of best regional burger in America. SO who wins? In N Out! ---Breakdown of the Components--- Price: In N Out indisputably wins here. A fulfilling combo can be had at this California-based chain for about $8 whereas at Shake Shack, a combo can be upwards of $13. Redonkulous. I ordered a shake shack burger ($5.19), Smoke Shack burger ($6.69--CHOOSE THIS ONE), French Fries ($2.95), Cheese fries ($3.95), a Black and White Milk Shake ($5.25), and a coke ($2.25). The Meat: Shake Shack wins. They use 4-ounce patties made from premium blends of sirloin, brisket, and short rib. It's marvelously griddled and caramelized to the point where Shake Shack employees scrape the patty off with a paint scraper. The composition of this blended patty results in more oil, but more flavor and satisfaction than the 2 ounce thin, patty at In N Out. The Cheese: In N Out wins. Shake Shack uses mild American cheese and ensures it comes melted and almost integrated into the patty. While this contributes to the overall taste and enjoyability of the burger meal, I prefer In N out's method where they use thickly sliced, American cheese. Not only does it look more appealing, it gives it a distinct layering of cheese flavor I love. Toppings: In N Out wins. I felt the quality and freshness at Shake Shack was compromised. While they use green leaf lettuce, sliced Roma tomatoes, thin-sliced onions, and thick cut pickles, the ingredients were either wilted, browning, or lacked the fresh crispness I value in In N out's toppings. Fries: Shake Shack wins. I LOVE crinkle cut fries and Shake Shack does it right. Brilliantly made to a golden crisp, I wonder if I could eat them all day. In N Out's freshness is unquestioned, but I never really enjoyed the boring, unappealing cuts of their fries. The Sauces: In N Out. Animal Style is a simple, but wonderful "secret" concept only avid In N Out fans would understand, which is why I value In N Out more. In regards to the sauces, both establishments use Thousand Island, but shake shack's is more mayonnaise based and In N Out's is more ketchup/mustard based. The Bun: Shake Shack Wins. The buttered potato bun elevates the flavor profile of the burger making for sweet, soft, pillowy bites. The downside? It makes for one soggy burger if not eaten with haste. But either way, when it comes to food, taste trumps texture. Milk Shakes: Shake Shack Wins. Love the opulence, silkiness, and crumbled cookie taste. Menu: In N Out. Shake shack may offer more such as hot dogs and dog food, but In N Out has a simplistic, affordable menu and a beloved secret menu. Shake shack only has a secret item in the peanut butter bacon burger. ---- Conclusion: InNOut offers an old-school, earnest environment complete with friendly faces and prices from a bygone era. Shake Shack provides a hip, urban experience to it's guest at a steep price. Both have delicious burgers that can arguably lay claim as being America's most beloved burger chain, but in my opinion, West Coast is Best Coast--InNOut is the victor. Heck even the founder of Shake Shack, Danny Meyer says In N Out has reached a platform that zero fast-food joints can reach. Extra Notes: -Accepts credit card -Service isn't as jovial as In N Out, but efficient -I do like the hip decor and wooden tables with TV's abound -Restroom is clean read more

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Oh dear God, I love Shake Shack! Thinking about it now gives me hardcore cravings! I absolutely love the food. I LOVE the food! I almost always get the same thing; I've found my heart's desire in the SmokeShack Burger. Everyone needs to try this! Applewood bacon, chopped cherry peppers, and their famous ShackSauce. This burger is full of flavor with every bite! I highly recommend this burger to everyone. The ShackStack is also to die for, coming in a hard second to the SmokeShack. The Shackstack is a cheeseburger and a mushroom burger put together! I'm not going to lie, the burgers are a bit on the smaller side - I usually can't finish a burger but I can finish this one no problem. The burgers are what I come for! The fries are crinkle cut, and who doesn't love that? With their cheddar/American cheese sauce, it's the perfect pair. And the frozen custard! It isn't my ultimate favorite, but it's still delicious. The Shack Attack is an ongoing dessert, and it's a little too sweet for my taste but still delightful. They used to have this pre-made custard that was made up of vanilla custard, and bananas, and so forth but I think they've replaced it :( I'm sure you can remake this flavor because they do allow you to make your own custard! Drinks are free refills, you just have to go up and ask. BEWARE of the lengthy line. It isn't always too long of a wait, but be prepared for it! You will most definitely have a hard time looking for a place to sit so as soon as you see a spot open up, RUSH TO IT! I simply just ask people if they're leaving and I wait nearby while I wait for my food to be ready. It never hurts to ask. It is loud and crowded, and some of the seats are weird. I like the shack style it has though, very ambient! And the people are always super friendly and super helpful. Don't feel horrible asking questions. The portions are smaller and I believe it is a little overpriced, but I really haven't tasted a burger like this anywhere else. If you haven't tried Shake Shack yet, I suggest you do so! read more

Shake Shack River North - SmokeShack, Shack Stack, Shack Attack custard, and cheese fries! - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Being that I am from California, I have an obligation to always choose in n out burgers, but in this case having finally experienced a shake shack burger I'm going to have to go with... In n Out for the win! ; ) You can't really compare the two because they are complete opposites, anyway...back to Shake Shack... Its a little more of a pricier burger joint unlike in n out but the taste of these burgers are insane. They use 100% all natural angus beef and they cook their patties medium which is how I prefer to have my burgers cooked. Mind you, this review is based on only one experience too. I can't help but crave a good ole shack burger as I am writing this review...a restaurant out here might do well, just saying... ...back to the food. I ordered a regular single shack burger which was $5.19 and a fry at $2.95 for myself and a shroom burger for my niece which was amazing I might add. We ordered our food to go, our hotel was about a 10 minute walk from the restaurant and it was freezing cold out, but the food was still warm-definitely a plus. That first bite of my burger was everything I imagined it could be. I can't even explain it, you'll have to experience it for yourself. Their fries though is what won me over, I'm a fan of crinkled fries and they do them justice. Adding cheese is an option for an extra cost, I didn't try it but my cousin did, and I wish I had gotten the cheese...so if you're there do it, to it! They also have shakes, beers (yes), wine (yes) and soda-or "POP" as they say it out in the midwest. One of my favorite movies is "Something Borrowed" and they have scenes at the Shake Shack in New York and for years I've been wanting to try it and thanks to Yelp when I was searching for restaurants in the area it came up and I just had to! We were going to go the whole fancy restaurant thing but I had go with Shake Shack and it was sooooo worth it! read more

Shake Shack River North - Goal while in New York fulfilled in Chicago. - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Sometimes one has to separate the New York hype from the reality of the experience. Shake Shack is one of those times. I got lucky. I walked in on a Wednesday at about 5 pm and there was no line. I loved the idea of fried shallots; so I went for the double Meisterburger, and I had to taste what all the fuss was about regarding the cheese fries. The people at the counter were wonderful, and it was definitely closer to 5 minutes than 10 for my buzzer to buzz. The burger wasn't bad. It did have a good beefy taste, and I liked the irregular sides that gave them a little crispness. I liked the grilled shallots, but they weren't what I expected: They were pretty much like the Durkee's onion rings that your mom put on green bean casserole on Thanksgiving. I always loved stealing a few from the can when she wasn't looking. I found it better to eat them off the top of the burger, because they were too subtle to really taste with a bit of double burger with cheese. Speaking of cheese, I really didn't "get" the cheese fries, though I did receive them. I'm not overly averse to processed cheese, but the cheese here seemed more along the lines of Velveeta than cheddar. It was okay, but I would have preferred the crispy, crinkled fries in their own glory. The few I had without cheese were delicious. And make sure you eat the ones with cheese quickly, while they're hot. Otherwise the cheese gets a little gloppy and even less flavorful. I thought about getting a concrete, but I love custard; so I thought I'd try a single scoop of vanilla. It was pretty good, but nowhere near the heaven of Kopp's in Milwaukee. Now that I think of it, I should have tried a shake; given that the restaurant IS named "Shake Shack." Now I feel foolish. In any case, at about $17 for the meal and more than one calorie per penny, the flavor wasn't there for the money, calories or New York hype. And there are a lot of great hamburgers in this town. read more

Shake Shack River North - The fried shallots are like the fried onions your mama puts on green bean casserole, though the beef beats the beans - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have been neglectful of my yelp reviewing lately but in and early New Years resolution, Shake Shack Chicago is getting me started back. I braved the lines opening day to try out the first Chicago location of this spot I fell in love with in New York. Happy to say, the Midwest version did not disappoint! I went around 130pm and the line was long but not crazy (coming from someone who waited 4.5 hours for Hot Doug's). Total time was probably about 70-75 minutes but it didn't feel that long because the staff was so friendly, welcoming and attentive. The menu contains all the Shake Shack classics plus some spectral Midwest fare. Incorporating products from local businesses was a great plus. The menu includes pork sausage from the Publican, vosages chocolates, glazed and infused glorious donuts, and s'mores pie from the bang bang pie shop. These additions really give the chain a Chicago feel and make the experience a little unique. The food was the same quality I have come to expect from a Danny Meyer's spot. Waiting in line and going back and forth between burger and shroom, I did what any indecisive fat kid would do and went for the Shack Stack...a burger patty AND cheese filled portobello mushroom. Easy breezy!!! And cheese fries for good measure because, is it really a cheat meal if you skip the fries. The whole meal came in at just under $15 and, in hindsight, was more than I needed...but that didn't stop me from enjoying every tasty bite. I'll definitely be back if/when the opening day crazy has passed. Until then, may just have to make use of that express line and pick up a concrete. Also, I think the staff deserves all the compliments for keeping the dining room running really smoothly. Despite there being a CONSTANT flow of customers, and s line down the block, there were zero people standing around with food looking for somewhere to sit. Tables were quickly bussed and, between the longer communal tables and the smaller ones throughout, everyone who wanted to has somewhere to sit and eat. This was especially impressive because the fools came out very fast after being ordered and there were lots of Shake a Shack Porn food pics being snapped everywhere. 4 stars instead of 5 because while the burger was great, the topping were a little wilted and didn't add much. I'm probably being nit picky but it would be a 4.5 if that was an option!!! read more

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Shake shack ... Welcome to Chicago!!!! We are going to be best friends! I went here opening day at 4 pm with some friends and there was a decent line out the door. I have heard about this place but never had the pleasure of trying it while on the east coast. I also had no idea it was so good! My first impression was a happy aroma of French fries and greased up burgers. The people working there were very polite and even came to ask how we were doing during the meal. Also, offered to refill our drinks. I love when fast food does that, ya know? I mean go the EXTRA MILE TACO BELL! Jeez. I do like how on the menu, they have the calories listed next to each item. They are not ashamed. I mean, don't try to eat healthy. One of their shakes was +1200 calories. Haha. Now you know, why you are fat people. The food came out pretty quick, I was sad to see their were NO chicken options. The options were kind of short but I'm okay with that because you know they make those choices well. // smoke shack - $6.45 - single patty. The meat was very good but what I loved even more. The BACON. I mean loads of it. And not that crappy shit you get at Wendy's. They also add sauté cherry peppers on top for that extra spice! Yum yum. My friend got the regular burger and they said they really enjoy it but I think I would of preferred mine anyway. Lets tall buns... How do you like them? Toasted? Raw? Soggy? Chewy? Jiggly? Fit? This potato bun (I think it was potato) really reminded me of a burger bun you get at a nice, chill, sit down restaurant. It was soft and warmed to perfection. I actually thought they did such a great job with it. And last but not least, the burger. Wow. Nicely done. They had a nice charred outside and gentle soft inside. Overall, I thought this was one of the best burgers I've had from fast food. // cheese fries - $3.90 - the cheese was delicious. You could tell there was something different about it. We could not put our finger on it but I think that they don't used non organic processed crap. It tasted like actual cheese. Ha. The fries were crispy and well made but I thought they were just average to be honest. // fair shake - $5.50 - this is their "coffee" Shake. It was really good buttttt it didn't really taste like coffee. Pretty heavy and hard to finish one alone but pretty good nevertheless. If I could do that choice over I would try one of their custards. They looked soooo good! This place was a great experience, try to go when they are not busy (which is hard). Their line can get quite long. It rivals In-N-Out to be honest and I couldn't be happier to spend my cardiovascular disease filled years with it. :-) read more

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So Shake Shack was good...was it the best burger I have ever had, wait in line for hours, and obsess about the opening? No. Granted...I did none of those things, but there is such a cult following, I thought I would mention it. It was good...definitely reminds me of Steak and Shake. The cheese fries are amaze though. Custards are some of the most buttery, creamy things I have ever had. Shakes are good, however, I actually was surprised at how thin they were. Overall, worth a stop. The line moves ridiculously fast. read more

Shake Shack River North - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I finally had a chance to visit Shake Shack and see what all the hype was about. I came on a weekday night around 5pm and there was no line and plenty of open seating. This place must be doing something right because the workers here seemed really happy. They were so happy the staff working on making the food was SINGING. The singing was cut short though because they got so loud the cashiers could not hear the customers or take their order. I opted for the Shack burger and cheese fries. I thought the shack burger was really good. Very comparable with the In-N-Out burger. The ingredients were very fresh and tasted delicious. Unfortunately they do not offer grilled onions. They only offered raw onions (for free) and fried shallots (for an extra $1). Thankfully the raw onions tasted sweet and made the burger taste really good. No need for grilled onions after all! The cheese fries on the other hand were not that spectacular to me. The cheese had a bit of a bitter taste and left my fries a little too soggy. The fries that were not covered in cheese were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside-my favorite type of fry! I'd definitely come back to try other items on the menu. read more

Your typical "fast food" burger, only 26394927 times better!! My typical order consists of 2 burger, 1 Shackburger for me and 1 Shack Stack for my boyfriend. We also get the fries with cheese. I dislike soggy foods, so I always get my cheese on the side. I love the ShackSauce on their burgers! I believe it is a mayonnaise mix, but it is scrumptious. I never eat mayo, so the ShackSauce is definitely an exception. The Shack Stack is the best of both worlds. I always take a bite or two from my boyfriend's order. The burger is so rich in meat and cheese and it becomes too filling for me. I've also dabbled in their Shakes before. The Shakes are a bit too sweet for my liking and I end up drinking water after ever gulp to neutralizes the taste. As for their lemonade, I like the option of featured flavors. I recall trying one with mint and it was so much more refreshing than your average lemonade! read more

Shake Shack River North - "I want some burgers and fries, I want some burgers and fries. Well, there's some right here. Don't you tell me no lies!" - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

After a long week of finals, I had to unravel by trying something exhilarating. And what's more definitive of that than going to a new burger joint. So today I came here to see what the talk was all about. Right after my cousins and I found parking, we rushed to the line to avoid an ever longer line. Although there was a long line, it moved by really quick. We waited outside for probably 15 minutes max. Upon getting into the door, we waited another 10 minutes before we had the opportunity to order. Soon after ordering, our food came out at probably a max of 15 minutes. So although we sort of kind of waiting for a long time in total, it was understandable being that it's a new place and everyone wants to try it out too. We all ordered the SmokeShack and my younger sister ordered the Chicken dog. In addition to that, we ordered cheese fries and regular crinkle cut fries as well. After my first bite, I fell in love. The applewood smoked bacon with chopped cherry peppers drizzled in ShackSauce was beyond me. All of the flavors collaborated so nicely with my taste buds. The funny thing is.....I don't ever eat burgers. EVER. Not because I don't like them, but because I don't prefer them and never order them. So for me to actually enjoy a burger has to mean something. They did a great job! Lastly but certainly not least, the customer service there is awesome. The young lady outside that directs the line was very friendly and made the wait time appear to be quicker than it probably was. The cashier was nice too. But my favorite worker has to be Marquita. She filled up several ketchup containers for me because I told her I was a heavy dipper and then she went to back to grab me lettuce and tomatoes since I forgot to order it during my meal order (make sure you do that!). She was definitely the real MVP tonight. Make sure you give this place a try! Definitely worth the wait. read more

Shake Shack River North - SmokeShack, fries, and Chicken dog - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My first experience with Shake Shack was in their NY location near Time Square. I recall long lines for what looked like very basic food. My buddy just had to have a strawberry shake. LOL I heard they were coming to town here and was wondering what all the hoopla was about as its just another up and coming chain hitting up another major market. Me and some friends went over during our lunch break and walked into a 15-20 minute line. We figured since we had walked over we might as well stay. I looked over the menu on the wall and saw some good stuff and heard the burger was ok. I went with the burger and fries with a 50/50 lemonade/iced tea. The single cheeseburger was decent as it included lettuce, tomato and pickles. The 50/50 was def thirst quenching. The seating setup is quite fun as there are hi-tops along with low seats and tables like in a kindergarten class. Our group of 4 ended up in those jr seats lol. Shake Shack is ok but again I don't understand the hoopla. I def won't wait in line that long again for this place as the food is just ok. I will try an actual shake next time. FYI they serve beer and wine here. read more

4.5 Stars I don't like long lines, but I'm up for trying all things new. Since I can't make it to New York, I guess this will be the next best thing. I was excited to try this place after seeing a news segment on it. I like the fact they incorporate different food items from other local Chicago restaurants. They have a Publican Pork Sausage with the pork actually being from the Publican restaurant. What drew me in was the Concretes incorporated with the doughnuts from glazed and infused and it was yummy! We went around 12:30 and waited about a good 45 minutes, but the line and servers were so organized that it felt like less. Here's the break down: Smoke Shack Single - DELICIOUS! Tender cheeseburger with amazing red peppers. The shack sauce really makes the burger. It tastes like a mix of mayo, ketchup, and hot sauce. The spiciness of the burger was really good. My friend got the same thing, but he added a Mushroom to his and for a while he was speechless. Said it was the best burger he ever had. Cheese Fries - Fries are good and remind me a lot of Portillo's fries. What sets them apart is the cheese. The cheese is amazing!!!! You can tell it's not processed and words cannot express how good they are. Concretes - Pretty much like a blizzard. You can make up your own combination, but we went with the banana salted caramel one because we love us some glazed and infused doughnuts. Yet again delicious!! Can barely finish it though if you have the burger and fries. Seating - By the time you get your food you may have to wait a few minutes, but generally seating opens up fast and the bus boy/girl gets the tables clean quickly. Service - Friendly staff. Didn't feel rush. Although the calories shamed me, lol, I find it very helpful they have the calories listed on the menu. They actually do this at a lot of the restaurants in New York and I appreciate that cause it helps me plan how much I can eat for the rest of the day. I only gave it 4.5 stars, but that's because I generally set a side 5 stars for places I have been to more than once. Once my cholesterol and the buzz of this place dies down I will be back :) read more

Shake Shack River North - Smoke shack burger with cheese fries - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Second visit to SS. I'm sorry guys, y'all are just In N Out with booze. And maybe a slightly more varied menu. And more expensive. Look, they're not bad. Far from it. The Smoke Shack is a seriously tasty burger. Jules "Pitt" would approve - even if not a Big Kahuna Burger. The fries are a little too inconsistent - some perfect, some crispy. Bless God for hipsters and the fact that In N Out won't expand though. That'll keep you in business. read more

Ugh..Shake Shack. I don't get the hype. It's decent, sure. But good? arguably. But worth it? NO. The burger is overpriced and boring. Yes, everyone argues here that In n Out is better - and as a socal native it's hard for me not to scream IN N OUT REALLY IS BETTER. But for $22 for a couple, without drinks - for a fast food dinner that was underwhelming? idk...it's a last resort for me. read more

Shake Shack River North - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is the second time I've tried Shake Shack. I let about a year go by and tried again - hoping it would improve. It really didn't. We got the Shackburger, Double Shackburger, fries, Salted Caramel Shake, and a Concrete. The Shake and concrete were good and I would go back for them. However, I had higher hopes for the burger. Very average and I barely could taste the "shack sauce." The fries were the cringle kind - of which I've never been a fan of. Many other better burger bars in the area. read more

My daughter has recently developed a fixation with In-N-Out Burger (I think it's because she's like her mama, she follows too many food accounts on Instagram). Since this isn't a craving I can curtail anytime soon (the only times I've been to INO was whenever I was in Vegas for work), the next best thing was to stumble (entirely by happenstance), a Shake Shack while wandering around Chicago, not hungry or looking to dine on burgers while in Chicago (I already tried to convince her and the spouse to go to my other love, Portillo's, to no avail - quitters). I hadn't been to SS ever either, but I am familiar with the cult-like rivalry between INO devotees vs. SS. I was eager to try SS (I have never turned down a reason to try an allegedly delicious burger), and we giddily walked in. At 2PM, the place was booming, with a huge line to the door. No matter, as the line moved quickly. The employees at SS were friendly and competent enough, but not to the level of chippiness that is a INO employee. Because my reviews are always tl;dr for most people: I'll score it quickly: SS won when it came to burger meat, Shake sauce, French fries, cheese, and variety (hotdogs, sausages, vegetarian offering,etc). INO won with bun, the superior format of "Animal style", and price (SS is a little pricey for what you get). I didn't try SS's shake, but I know I love INO's. My daughter had the vanilla shake at SS and loved it. Soooo they are pretty tied. SS and INO both have those awesome little cardboard containers for to-go orders (idk why those charm me so much, but they do). I would probably have to say if the two were right next to each other, I'd probably have to go with INO. read more

Today, I dub thee: Shake Shack Friday. My first Shake Shack experience came many moons ago, on a picturesque fall day in Madison Square Park, which really meant there were able 200 picaresque rogues skipping work to queue in an abominably long line. But an hour later, I got my burger! I call this the Franklin conundrum, whereby one's experience is diminished if not properly expecting an improperly long wait (named after Franklin BBQ in Austin, natch). Anyhoo, the Chicago Shake Shack line isn't quite as interminable. When it opened last fall, the line stretched out the door and down the street. Nowadays, in the bitter cold, it's mostly just an inside queue. We did an early lunch, so the wait wasn't too bad. If you arrive during the lunch rush, seating can be an issue. So, the food. A cross-country water war often spouts with the whole Shake Shack versus In-N-Out battle. In my opinion, Shake Shack is much more akin to San Fran's new Super Duper Burgers than anything In-N-Out related. I don't remember what my first Shake Shack burger experience tasted like, so it was a clean slate. In my opinion, Shake Shack's burger's are more greasy spoon than either, but the fanciful add-ons are not In-N-Out's bag, baby. I got the SmokeShack, and thoroughly enjoyed the crispy bacon and cherry peppers adorning the burger. The patty is thin (yay), and the bun/cheese/etc is of the divey sort. Fries are thoroughly forgettable, which I guess makes for a good comparison to In-N-Out. And since it's Friday, I gluttonously added a carame'L' concrete for some local flair (it comes with a salted caramel donut from Glazed and Infused). On that note, it sounds like the Publican pork sausage is a thing to get here. As a huge fan of the Publican, I wouldn't disagree. Sans wait time, I'm happy to bump my Shake Shack rating up a notch (I gave just 3* to the O.G.). The burgers are good, but like all burgers I have in Chicago, it really just made me want to go to Au Cheval. read more

Shake Shack River North - SmokeShack Single - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My sister loves Shake Shack. She discovered it in New Jersey and when we drove past it on the way to the hotel, she knew we would be eating at this one in Chicago. We don't have one in my home state yet, so I was apt to try it out. It wasn't until after we ordered did my sister tell me she had eaten it the day before! The burger selection is vast and the shakes are great. The food was prepared quickly and satisfied lunch cravings. Plenty of seating inside and out and had a nice crowd. Clean, quick, and tasty. I normally prefer non chains, but this one was great. read more

Shake Shack River North - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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If you're on a tight schedule, plan to wait in line to order food at least 5-10 minutes and then another 15 minutes for your food to be ready. The food is good no doubt and the place was packed! We had a group of 4 and after we ordered our food, we each had to split to different corners of the restaurant to grab a table as soon as someone left! Yes, we actually did stalk the tables. While we were eating, I kinda felt pressured to finish eating because now we were getting stalked by someone. It would be tough for them to solve this problem, because this is located right next to Big Bowl and that isn't closing anytime soon. Why 4 stars? Because you pay like $2.50 for a hand full of fries and the sandwich is on the small side. BUT that's just me, whatever they are doing is working and they probably won't change anything soon because they are doing just fine. read more

Shake Shack River North - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Best fast food burger I've ever had! Thankfully I did my research online before coming here, so I knew if I got here anytime past 11:30, I'd be waiting in line forever. I arrived at 11:15 to a small line inside, and pretty much all the tables were already filled. Keep in mind they just opened at 11am! The line moved pretty quickly and we were luckily able to snag two bar stools along the window. By the time we sat down, the line to order was out the door! Moral of the story: get here early! We ordered a double shack burger, cheese fries and a chocolate shake. OMG the burger is so good! Juicy and flavorful, but not overly greasy. And the cheese fries were amazing! The fries themselves are nothing to go crazy about, but that cheese sauce is delicious! I was hoping to get the "chili" cheese fries (cheese fries with green chilies on top), but sadly the cashier told me the employees know nothing about the secret menu items yet. Hopefully that changes soon. The shake in my opinion was just okay. My mom loved it, but it was too overly chocolaty for me. I think they offer a half and half shake (chocolate and vanilla), so I think that would be the way to go if you don't want to be smacked in the face by chocolate. I was previously under the opinion that Culvers was the best fast food burger, but Culvers doesn't even come close anymore. Also, currently living near the west coast, I've had my share of In and Out, but Shake Shack wins hands down. read more

Shake Shack River North - Buzzer for the food - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Can't compare Shake Shack with In n Out because they're different. Shake Shack burgers are slightly greasier and the buns are super soft, and In-N-Out is all about that spread (and slightly cheaper). But both produce delicious, affordable food using fresh ingredients, which can't be said about most fast-food joints. I got a Shack Burger, a flat top dog with crinkle cut fries and a chocolate shake. If you love cheese, I highly recommend the cheesy fries. Pretty much everything I ate was good. I especially like the fact that they offer a vegetarian burger option ('Shroom Burger). When I was a vegetarian, I remember getting a grilled cheese at In-N-Out and still being hungry afterward. The 'Shroom Burger should be more filling since it has a portobello mushroom "patty." I can't wait for the LA location to open so that I can get my Shake Shack fix any time I want! read more

Shake Shack River North - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've heard of Shake Shack from my NY friends for years now but never got to try it myself since we don't have it in Cali (the closest one is in Las Vegas), so I was super stoked when I found out there was one in Chicago (where I visited for a trip). Even better, there are two locations in downtown Chicago, which is where I stayed, and both within reasonable walking distance. Somehow, I just happened to walk to this one...three times within a week. Yes, I love (and now miss) it that much. I'm a big burger lover so Shake Shack was an absolute must try for me. In Cali, we love our In-N-Out (must try for anyone and everyone), and while Shake Shack is relatively more expensive, it's nice to have variety. For my first taste, I opted for the SmokeShack burger ($6.79 single), crinkle cut fries ($3), and one of the special holiday shakes ($5.75), Christmas Cookie. Now I was leaning towards the Peppermint Mocha shake (which I did get to try), but I'm so glad the worker recommended Christmas Cookie. I loved it! The consistently of their shakes are so smooth and creamy, which I prefer over thick shakes that taste like melted ice cream. To be honest, I'm not even a shake lover but I love Shake Shack's shakes--that's how good they are. I admit, ~$6 is expensive for a shake, but it's nice to treat yourself once in a while. As for the burger, I doubt people would be impressed by its humble appearance but once you bite into it, you can't deny that it's delicious. The SmokeShack burger, described as a "cheeseburger topped with all-natural applewood smoked bacon, chopped cherry pepper and ShackSauce," had a lot of flavor. The patty was juicy and perfectly cooked with a bit of pink in the center. The fries, eh, now those were nothing special and definitely overpriced since I'm pretty sure they're just frozen fries. However, I do like fries with my burger but at $3 it's something to be shared. Lastly, I had to try a frozen custard Concrete and choose Salted Carame'L', which is "vanilla custard, banana and Glazed & Infused salted caramel old fashioned doughnut" (single $4.50, double $6.75). It was really tasty although somewhat similar to the shakes, especially since the top seemed melted already when we got it. Flavor-wise, it wasn't what I expected for salted caramel--it actually reminded more of apple pie, albeit really delicious apple pie with vanilla custard and chucks of doughnuts and banana slices. This specific location is very large with plenty of booths, tables, and counter seating. Ordering and queuing in line was easy, efficient and organized. I also liked the general atmosphere with a lot of dark wood and mini lights. Can't comment on parking since I walked each time, but it should be a convenient location for anyone staying in downtown Chicago. To sum it up, despite the high prices (you can easily spend $15-$20 per person), I'm definitely a fan of Shake Shack and highly recommend it. If I had one near me, I'd go at least once a month! read more

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Their burgers are tremendous. The potato roll is finally starting to catch on nationwide and it's long overdue. The soft spongy bun works perfectly with this burger. I've had the double cheeseburger and the double smoke shack. I usually prefer a thick burger, so a double is a must. the beef is always juicy with a good sear throughout, since they cook them on a flat top. The bacon is solid, because how can you screw up bacon? The cherry peppers on the smoke shack add an extra layer of flavor, but by no means are they spicy. The fries are passable. A small will cost you three bucks and they are the crinkle cut and they cook them till they are really crisp. I'm not a ketchup guy, so if I was to get these again, I might ask for extra shack sauce for dipping. It would be nice to have access to more sauce along with ketchup and yellow mustard and the fixings station. The drinks though...not good. I had a 50/50 aka an Arnold Palmer. It tasted decent, but it's the system that's flawed. There are no free refills and the large size wouldn't even pass for a medium at most places. Maybe it's a gimmick to get people to try the shakes and drink beer. At least there is free filtered water available. Bottom line: it's just a great place to get a burger fix. read more