Would You Like Fries With That?

If you live in New York, you've probably been there. If you haven't been there, you've at least heard of it. If you haven't heard of it, Hollywood certainly has.

From the movie Something Borrowed

Shake Shack's lines are long for a reason. If you're looking for a burger that doesn't break the bank, but also doesn't come with a side of hormones and antibiotics, this is the place to go. The burgers are delicious, the fries are delicious, the shakes are delicious, and the fact that you can have dinner for ten dollars is even more delicious.

Last night I went to the outdoor Shake Shack in Madison Square Park with a friend. This location is my favorite in the city, since waiting in line in the park is much more pleasant than waiting in line in by Times Square, for example. I ordered the Shack Burger ($4.60), my vegetarian friend ordered the 'Shroom Burger ($6.75), and then we ordered a side of fries ($2.70) to share. Oh, and we couldn't resist splitting a Chocolate-Strawberry Shake ($5.00). Thanks to the shared sides, my meal came out to be around $10, which I found very reasonable.

In addition to serving vegetarian-fed and hormone-free beef, the company also constructs each location from recycled materials. "Stand for Something Good" is their motto, which speaks to their green efforts, food safety efforts, etc.

A few things you should know about Shake Shack:

1. There is always a line. Shake Shack is delicious, inexpensive, and popular, so a crowd is unavoidable. Non-meal times will of course be less crowded, but if you plan to go during lunch or dinner time, then know that the line will be long. Don't worry though, it's worth it. 
2. The 'Shroom Burger is vegetarian, and really good. It's a fried portobello mushroom filled with cheese, and though it's not exactly the healthiest vegetarian dish ever, it's worth the occasional indulgence.
3. The Madison Square Park location is the original Shake Shack, but there are lots of other locations in the city. Shake Shack is also located in Connecticut, Florida, Washington DC, Massachussetes, Pennsylvania,  the UK, and the Middle East. Although if you're in the Middle East, I'd probably recommend eating something a little more native...
4. Shake Shack is also known for its hot dogs (though I've never tried one) and concretes (frozen custard). Check out the full menu on their website.

We chose a very hot evening to visit Shake Shack. Despite having to battle a few rather aggressive mosquitos, though, the wait in the heat was worth the meal. Plus the Madison Square location looks really pretty at night.