I had my first Shake Shack experience at the first and original location on a trip to New York, where a distinguishable line of people wrapped around Madison Square Park, waiting to try delicious burgers, hot dogs, frozen custards, made from fresh and organic ingredients, all from a humble hot dog cart. However, Shake Shack brings its own twist to the South. Instead of a little stand, Shake Shack Atlanta is located in the mixed-use Buckhead Atlanta center; which will be filled with designer shopping, upscale restaurants, and high-rise apartments once it opens. Even though the line here does wrap around the property, there is plenty of room to eat, once you step inside the establishment, which includes a downstairs dining room, and a rooftop patio where patrons can enjoy their food and drinks while watching the view of the Atlanta skyline.
Oh My Pecan Pie Frozen Custards
I savored the Shake Shack classics – the ShackBurger (cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, and ShackSauce), and the crinkle cut cheese fries. The fries were nice and crispy and had a perfect amount of salt. The ShackBurger was also superb, but meat lovers beware, the “single” is pretty light, so I recommend upping the protein to a “double.” I also had my fair share of the frozen custard blends, which were specific to the Atlanta menu, and included Pecan Pie Oh My (vanilla frozen custard blended with a slice of pecan pie from H&F Bread Co.), Campfire S’mores (chocolate frozen custard blended with marshmallow sauce, graham crackers, and dark chocolate chunks from Cacao Atlanta Chocolate Co.), and the Peachtree (a caramel-peach milkshake). The Campfire S’mores was my favorite and it was rich, thick, and creamy. I was surprised I wasn’t a big fan of the Peachtree, but the caramel peach combination sounded as odd as it tasted.
Shake Shack Cheese Fries
For anyone who has never been to Shake Shack, I do recommend giving it a try when in the Buckhead area, but beware of the hype. Although the food is great and customer service is excellent, waiting in a long line for burgers and fries can be irksome when there are plenty of other organic burger joints to choose from in Atlanta.
Shack Burger
Shake Shack Buckhead Atlanta
3035 Peachtree Road NE, Suite A146
Atlanta, GA 30305
buckhead@shakeshack.com
(470) 809-9201
