Brian Nagele
Explore the gastronomic realm of Shake Shack, where signature burgers, crunchy fries, and rich shakes are the main attractions. This piece explores Shake Shack’s delicious menu, revealing the most enticing and popular dishes that have won over the palates and hearts of devoted customers. Shake Shack, a name known for flavor and quality, offers a wide selection of menu items that demonstrate the brand’s dedication to excellence. Every dish at ShackBurger, which is a traditional sandwich stuffed with fresh ingredients and served in a soft bun, or their decadent hand-spun shakes, which come in a variety of flavors, represents the restaurant’s commitment to providing great fast-casual food. The best Shake Shack menu items will be highlighted in our investigation, honoring their iconic status, savory and sweet delights, and the culinary skill that goes into creating these well-loved offerings. Come along as we taste and rank these exceptional products to help you make the most of everything Shake Shack has to offer.
Shack Stack
The Shack Stack is the absolute best burger from Shake Shack, in my opinion. This is usually my go-to when I’m feeling extra-hungry because it’s a pretty substantial sandwich. The Shack Stack starts as a delicious cheeseburger, but if that wasn’t good enough already, they top it with a shroom burger for even more flavor. The Shack Stack essentially combines two of the greatest sandwiches on the menu into one perfect creation. Don’t hesitate to give this one a try the next time you visit Shake Shack.
Cheese Fries
My all-time favorite menu item at Shake Shack is none other than the cheese fries. For me, melted cheese and French fries are a match made in heaven and there’s nothing else quite like it for me. The crinkle-cut French fries that Shake Shack serves are delicious on their own, but when you top them with their signature cheese sauce, then you’ve got a real treat. I never leave Shake Shack without ordering them. Usually, I’ll order the cheese fries from Shake Shack as a tasty side to go with my burger or hot dog, but sometimes all I want are some cheese fries and a drink.
Chick’n Shack
Next up on my list of Shake Shack menu items to try is their Chick’n Shack. When Shake Shack took part in the great fried chicken wars a few years ago, they were up against some serious competition from the likes of Chick Fil A and Popeyes sandwich, but their chicken sandwich definitely held its own and became one of the best I absolutely love the Chick’n Shack and I think you will too if you’re looking for a delicious fried chicken sandwich. Not to mention, Shake Shack’s chicken is never frozen, always antibiotic-free, and fried in cholesterol-free oil.
Fries
Next up are the fries from Shake Shack. These are the exact same delicious crinkle-cut fries from the cheese fries, but without the cheese. Sometimes, all of that extra cheesiness is a bit much and you just want some good, old fashioned French fries. They say you can’t beat the classics and I think that’s pretty spot on in this case. Shake Shack’s fries are crispy and crunchy on the outside, but the inside is soft and flavorful still. They’re made from golden potatoes and fried in the same cholesterol-free oil that’s used for the chicken.
Shroom Burger
Up next is the Shroom Burger. The Shroom Burger is the typical vegetarian option that you see becoming more and more popular at chain restaurants and burger joints like Shake Shack. However, I don’t know of any other burger restaurant with a mushroom burger quite like this one. The Shroom Burger is exactly what comes on the Shack Stack that we just covered before this one. It consists of a crispy fried portobello mushroom that’s been stuffed with tasty, melted muenster and cheddar cheeses. Of course, it’s then topped with lettuce, tomato, and ShackSauce to finish it off.
ShackBurger
Here it is, the burger that started it all: the ShackBurger. I like to call it Perfection on a Bun. The ShackBurger is the quintessential cheeseburger that launched Shake Shack into popularity, and it’s easy to see why. The ShackBurger has everything you need and nothing that you don’t. It’s a delicious Angus beef blend patty topped with melted cheese and grilled to perfection. Some people may choose to have it without these items, but the ShackBurger also comes with lettuce, tomato, and ShackSauce. For a first-timer, this is an essential menu item to order when you come to Shake Shack.
SmokeShack
The SmokeShack is up next and this is where things get interesting, especially since we just covered one of the most basic items on the menu. This next burger variation is called the SmokeShack because of the mound of applewood-smoked bacon that comes on top, plus all of the chopped cherry peppers. If you’re looking for a unique burger, then this is it. I absolutely love the SmokeShack burger because the Niman Ranch bacon that Shake Shack uses is of the highest quality for unmatched flavor, and the peppers really help set it off even further.
Black & White Shake
Now, it’s time for some dessert. After all, I think I’m well past due to mention the thing that Shake Shack is named for. Shakes here at Shake Shack are unbeatable, especially on a hot day, and my favorite one has to be the Black and White Shake. The Black and White Shake is a mix of the vanilla frozen custard and chocolate fudge sauce to create a rich, creamy combination. The Black and White Shake here at Shake Shack is made with premium frozen custard that they actually prepare in-house with real cane sugar and cage-free eggs.
Frozen Custard
Continuing on this dessert kick, the Frozen Custard from Shake Shack is always a delicious, sweet treat that everyone should try at least once when they come here. The custard is made in-house, just like their ice cream, with real cane sugar and cage-free eggs. The fact that they use cane sugar makes a huge difference in taste, if you ask me. They have both chocolate and vanilla flavors of frozen custard here at Shake Shack, but you can actually combine both of them in the same cup for the best of borth worlds.
Double ShackBurger
Next up is the classic Double ShackBurger. This burger is the exact same as the Shackburger that we all know and love, except it’s just got another delicious patty stacked on top of it. I almost always get the Double ShackBurger because the Single ShackBurger is so tasty and satisfying that I always end up wanting another one anyway. It’s a great deal, too, because it’s cheaper than buying a whole other sandwich. The Double ShackBurger is absolutely perfect for anyone with a large appetite who might want a little boost of extra protein. Definitely keep this one high up on your list.
Hamburger
This next one might seem a bit boring, but it doesn’t get any more classic than a plain Hamburger. Now, I can’t say that this is exactly what I’m going to order the next time I come to Shake Shack, but it’s a tasty option nonetheless. Sometimes all you need is a beef patty on a soft potato bun. The old-fashioned Hamburger from Shake Shack is going to be perfect for anyone who can’t or doesn’t want to have cheese in their diet, as well as anyone who doesn’t enjoy the lettuce, tomato, and ShackSauce that usually comes on a burger here.
Hot Dog
The Hot Dog from Shake Shack is a must-try and it’s always a great option in my opinion. Shake Shack is better known for their burgers, of course, but I can’t get enough of their delicious hot dogs, honestly. The Hot Dogs served here at Shake Shack are made from 100% beef by the Vienna Beef company in Chicago. Trust me, they know what they’re doing. These hot dogs are then split down the middle and seared up on a flat-top grille for perfect flavor. You can even get your hot dog with a lettuce wrap instead of a bun.
Chicken Bites
The Chicken Bites are up next and this one is a fantastic choice anytime. The Chicken Bites from Shack Shake are perfectly-fried, golden-brown nuggets of their tasty fried chicken that you can dip in your favorite sauce. The Chicken Bites come in amounts of either 6 pieces or 10 pieces, depending on how hungry you are. I usually get the 10-piece option, but sometimes I think I could even eat 20 of them. The best part about the Chicken Bites from Shake Shack is the sheer variety of sauces that you can dip them in. My favorite is the Black Truffle Sauce.
Chocolate Shake
The chocolate shake is the last dessert item from Shake Shack that I want to mention. It’s really hard to beat a classic chocolate milkshake, so why even try? I am a huge fan of the regular chocolate milkshake here even though they have other great flavors as well. All of the shakes here are made with premium housemade ice cream, so they’re always perfectly sweet and creamy. The chocolate shake is a classic for a good reason, so definitely check it out when you come here. It goes great with a juicy ShackBurger!
Crispy Shallot Burger
Next up is the Crispy Shallot Burger. Now, this one isn’t a menu item by itself, but it’s more of a customization option you can choose for your burger here at Shake Shack. The Crispy Shallot Burger can be any burger on the menu. All you have to do is select your sandwich, whether it be a Double ShackBurger or a plain Hamburger, and choose the option to add crispy shallots on top for an extra fee. It is so worth it. The crispy shallots provide the absolute perfect crunch and flavor to any burger that no matter which one you put them on, it’ll be delicious.
Fresh Lemonade
Last, but not least, is the Shack-made Lemonade. No meal at Shake Shack is complete without a cup of their Fresh Lemonade to wash it down with. It’s the ideal drink to go with your burger and fries, if you ask me. The Fresh Lemonade is made in-house here at Shake Shack, and it has real sugar and fresh juice in it, so you know it tastes great. You won’t find any high-fructose corn syrup here! Definitely consider grabbing some lemonade from Shake Shack, but also keep an eye out for their many variations of it as well.
