Lerdawg wrote:Free Shake Shack burger if you download the new iOS app

https://www.shakeshack.com/2017/01/23/s ... ime-users/

https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/s ... -shack-app

... and only iOS. Bastards.

I was at Shake Shack in Skokie the other day. Was shocked to see it half empty. Every time I have been there it's been a madhouse. I downloaded the app and got a free hamburger, but I also wanted the chicken sandwich. Both were very good, though I think their prices are a little high.

Panther in the Den wrote:

Lerdawg wrote:Free Shake Shack burger if you download the new iOS app

https://www.shakeshack.com/2017/01/23/s ... ime-users/

https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/s ... -shack-app

... and only iOS. Bastards.

Well at least it helps explain the ridiculously long lines of people waiting for "meh" product.

Ram4 wrote:I was at Shake Shack in Skokie the other day. Was shocked to see it half empty. Every time I have been there it's been a madhouse. I downloaded the app and got a free hamburger, but I also wanted the chicken sandwich. Both were very good, though I think their prices are a little high.

I went to the downtown Shake Shack for lunch today. I have been there before and was underwhelmed, not necessarily about the product, but more so the value, or lack thereof, but figured I would give it another shot. To say the prices are a little high is a bit of an understatement. I ordered a bacon cheeseburger, fries and a vanilla malt. Total cost $20.59.

The burger was tasty don't get me wrong, but worth $10? Is it worth $2 more than Epic burger, 5-Guys, Culvers, and some of the others? Is it worth $4 more than a double cheeseburger at Portillos? The fries are $2.99 for basic food service fries, same product at Portillos is $1.69. Fresh cut fries at 5-guys are a buck more for twice the amount. Finally $5.79 for a regular sized malt. Malt was good, not out of this world, but acceptable, I can get a better shake at Oberweis, Culvers and other places for much less and not have to pay extra for whipped cream or to make it a malt.

My problem is not with the food itself , all items are decent quality and tasty, but the premium price being paid with all the other options available makes it pretty much a non-starter in most cases.

I personally like Epic Burger of all the higher end burger chains. Recently they upgraded their fountain drinks from the basic Pepsi choices, and now serve higher end Pepsi and Izze sodas.

thetrob wrote:To say the prices are a little high is a bit of an understatement.

Any idea whether or not the prices downtown are the same as at their suburban location in Skokie?

nsxtasy wrote:

thetrob wrote:To say the prices are a little high is a bit of an understatement.

Any idea whether or not the prices downtown are the same as at their suburban location in Skokie?

Looking at the menus posted (and printable) on their website, prices at Old Orchard and Chicago Athletic Association are identical.

=R=

Not a Shake Shack apologist by any means (I've only ever eaten at the original and not for many years now), but some of those comparisons (Culver's, Portillo's, etc.) are unfair. Shake Shack sources ethically-raised meat (or at least claims to) and makes a point of paying their employees above minimum wage, in some cases substantially so. The final product may still not be worth it to you, but do understand that they are at least trying to be more responsible than your run-of-the-mill chain.

cilantro wrote:Not a Shake Shack apologist by any means (I've only ever eaten at the original and not for many years now), but some of those comparisons (Culver's, Portillo's, etc.) are unfair. Shake Shack sources ethically-raised meat (or at least claims to) and makes a point of paying their employees above minimum wage, in some cases substantially so. The final product may still not be worth it to you, but do understand that they are at least trying to be more responsible than your run-of-the-mill chain.

I do think that is a good point and I have linked their page detailing their ethical stance however I do understand the surprise when you order a burger, fries, and shake and are looking at $20 or so. Taking a family out for burgers/etc. could be pulling towards $80-$100 which is a lot IMO.


https://www.shakeshack.com/2015/12/17/s ... ised-pork/

Busghetti wrote:

cilantro wrote:Not a Shake Shack apologist by any means (I've only ever eaten at the original and not for many years now), but some of those comparisons (Culver's, Portillo's, etc.) are unfair. Shake Shack sources ethically-raised meat (or at least claims to) and makes a point of paying their employees above minimum wage, in some cases substantially so. The final product may still not be worth it to you, but do understand that they are at least trying to be more responsible than your run-of-the-mill chain.

I do think that is a good point and I have linked their page detailing their ethical stance however I do understand the surprise when you order a burger, fries, and shake and are looking at $20 or so. Taking a family out for burgers/etc. could be pulling towards $80-$100 which is a lot IMO.


https://www.shakeshack.com/2015/12/17/s ... ised-pork/

I agree. I go to Shake Shack seldom, and only when I can't deflect a group that really wants to go there. I find the burgers boring, the fries insipid, and she shakes wildly over priced. I get all the sourcing and living wage stuff. But, for what they're charging I expect at least fries that are from fresh potatoes hand cut at the location and carefully fried to perfection, not standard issue food service. I've never understood the hype.

chicagojim wrote:

Busghetti wrote:

cilantro wrote:Not a Shake Shack apologist by any means (I've only ever eaten at the original and not for many years now), but some of those comparisons (Culver's, Portillo's, etc.) are unfair. Shake Shack sources ethically-raised meat (or at least claims to) and makes a point of paying their employees above minimum wage, in some cases substantially so. The final product may still not be worth it to you, but do understand that they are at least trying to be more responsible than your run-of-the-mill chain.

I do think that is a good point and I have linked their page detailing their ethical stance however I do understand the surprise when you order a burger, fries, and shake and are looking at $20 or so. Taking a family out for burgers/etc. could be pulling towards $80-$100 which is a lot IMO.


https://www.shakeshack.com/2015/12/17/s ... ised-pork/

I agree. I go to Shake Shack seldom, and only when I can't deflect a group that really wants to go there. I find the burgers boring, the fries insipid, and she shakes wildly over priced. I get all the sourcing and living wage stuff. But, for what they're charging I expect at least fries that are from fresh potatoes hand cut at the location and carefully fried to perfection, not standard issue food service. I've never understood the hype.

Exactly. Sustainably sourced ingredients, employees paid above industry standard, etc. are all well and good, but that also means that you need to separate yourself from the sector in which you are competing in, and Shake Shack just doesn't. It obviously aims at a different demographic than McDonalds or Burger King, so no comparison there, but the "premium burger chains" that could be considered its competitors such as 5 guys, in and out, whataburger, epic burger, bobbys burger palace, and others are all at price points that are less if not significantly so and each of them tends to offer better options at some or all of the menu items, such as hand cut fries, more topping options, larger portions, whatever. Charging a premium price for products that are not premium (fries, shakes) or for add-ons that you are not charged for elsewhere IMO is just not worth it. As busghetti intimated above, that $5+ extra per diner adds up pretty quick when you take a family out, and if I'm gonna spend $100+ on burgers/fries/shakes there needs to be something special there and there just isn't. To each his own

I am not one to order fries or a shake and when I stop it is for a burger.

I enjoy it well enough and I am glad it is not an only choice for lunch.

In a long rotation, maybe once a year, and that will not break the bank.

I remember complaining about how expensive a rotisserie chicken ($12!) was at a certain restaurant compared to one from Jewel and was reminded sometimes you have to look beyond the price.

Was in Oak Brook with just enough time for a quick stop at Shake Shack, which was on my route (spied it as I was driving). I'd only been to any Shake Shack once before, in 2016, and remember it being enjoyable enough . . .


Double Shack Burger & Fries

Not bad, not great. Patties themselves needed salt. Fries were better than they looked. They appeared undercooked but were actually crispy outside and fluffy inside. I liked the griddled notes of the burger but as a whole, it was relatively flavorless, probably due to lack of salt. Definitely not cheap, either. Two of the above and two drinks came in at just over $35.

In the 6+ years since my last visit, smash burgers have become even more ubiquitous and Shake Shack has undergone the kind of expansion that couldn't have likely produced any other result but overpriced, just-okay food. If this is the price we have to pay so fast-food workers can earn a living wage, so be it but I really hope this isn't the best we have to look forward to.

=R=

About a year ago, I read an article on the increase in the number of places that expect the customer to tip. The article had a quote from a Shake Shack rep that the company pays well and does not expect its customers to tip. That philosophy seems to have reversed.

lougord99 wrote:About a year ago, I read an article on the increase in the number of places that expect the customer to tip. The article had a quote from a Shake Shack rep that the company pays well and does not expect its customers to tip. That philosophy seems to have reversed.

When paying with plastic, there's no way to complete the transaction without making a decision about whether to tip or not. Iirc, the amount does default to zero but it still needs to be acknowledged or adjusted before proceeding. So, I'd say there's a pretty clear expectation that a tip will be part of the transaction.

=R=

This has nothing at all to do with Shake Shack, but relates to Ron's comment. A couple recent visits to local owned counter serve places, the counter person has quickly poked the card reader to move past the tip screen with 0 tip. Not exactly sure why, I probably would have pitched in a buck or two. Maybe they really want to not fish for tips but the software doesn't have that option? Neither had a cash tip jar either.

Opening in Deerfield at 560 Waukegan Rd on April 25th.

Dave148 wrote:Opening in Deerfield at 560 Waukegan Rd on April 25th.

Just in time for the 6-month Waukegan Road resurfacing project that started yesterday!

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:

Dave148 wrote:Opening in Deerfield at 560 Waukegan Rd on April 25th.

Just in time for the 6-month Waukegan Road resurfacing project that started yesterday!

=R=

This location will have a drive thru. You can zip right in on your steamroller!

Dave148 wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:

Dave148 wrote:Opening in Deerfield at 560 Waukegan Rd on April 25th.

Just in time for the 6-month Waukegan Road resurfacing project that started yesterday!

=R=

This location will have a drive thru. You can zip right in on your steamroller!

LOL!

=R=

Dave148 wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:

Dave148 wrote:Opening in Deerfield at 560 Waukegan Rd on April 25th.

Just in time for the 6-month Waukegan Road resurfacing project that started yesterday!

=R=

This location will have a drive thru. You can zip right in on your steamroller!

They installed the signage and landscaping today - humorously (to me, maybe not corporate) I'm pretty sure the street facing sign is reversed. It says "Shake Shack" and then "Drive Thru" with arrows pointing out to Waukegan Rd.

Flip the whole thing around and it'd properly point into the driveway.

Live in Deerfield and used to work at the location when it was Bakers Square about 1000 years ago. Will try it eventually, but the one time I went to Shake Shack (old orchard) both me and the wife thought it was disgustingly bad. Like, down there with the absolute worst fast food offerings you can find. Burger was terrible, fries were bland and the shake was surprisingly bad considering it's in the name.

Place gets a lot of hype and I have no clue why. I guess I'll try it again to see if we somehow missed the boat on this or to confirm that everyone except me is wrong.

shakes wrote:.... and the shake was surprisingly bad considering it's in the name.

Given your User ID, I will take your review as gospel.

Frank and I had a lunch at the Vernon Hills location.
Completely underwhelming.
expensive and the food took forever to come.
I won't be back, even to the newly opening Deerfield location.
Rather go to Nortons or Beinlichs

If you are trying to put Norton’s and Shake Shack in the same category, then I think Shake Shack is doomed to failure.

To me, Shake Shack is a good hamburger and even better chicken sandwich for lunch. If I am going to Shake Shack for dinner, then it is simply to get a quick burger and run. I would never even contemplate a Norton’s 1/2 lb. burger for lunch. I just don’t see you can even compare them.

If it took a long time to get your food at Shake Shack, then it was a 1-off problem. I often get chicken or beef at the Vernon Hills location and service is almost always very prompt.

shakes wrote:...but the one time I went to Shake Shack (old orchard) both me and the wife thought it was disgustingly bad. Like, down there with the absolute worst fast food offerings you can find. Burger was terrible, fries were bland and the shake was surprisingly bad considering it's in the name.

Place gets a lot of hype and I have no clue why. I guess I'll try it again to see if we somehow missed the boat on this or to confirm that everyone except me is wrong.

Not everyone - we went to SS near Roosevelt University pre-pandemic and had a similar experience. Maybe a little better than Wendy's or BK; much rather get a burger at a local hot dog stand - at minimum the fries will be decent. Have not returned to SS.

dudefella wrote:

Dave148 wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:

Dave148 wrote:Opening in Deerfield at 560 Waukegan Rd on April 25th.

Just in time for the 6-month Waukegan Road resurfacing project that started yesterday!

=R=

This location will have a drive thru. You can zip right in on your steamroller!

They installed the signage and landscaping today - humorously (to me, maybe not corporate) I'm pretty sure the street facing sign is reversed. It says "Shake Shack" and then "Drive Thru" with arrows pointing out to Waukegan Rd.

Flip the whole thing around and it'd properly point into the driveway.

It’s been flipped.