Iconic NYC burger spot with a divided following; praised for crinkle-cut fries & shakes, criticized for long waits & small burgers.
Shake Shack, a burger joint that originated in Madison Square Park, has grown into a widespread chain that elicits strong opinions. While some customers laud its consistently good burgers, crinkle-cut fries perfect for cheese sauce, and delicious shakes, others find the experience lacking. Criticisms frequently include long wait times, slow service, and burgers that are perceived as small and lacking flavor, leading some to seek out alternative burger spots. Despite the divided opinions, the original Madison Square Park location is still seen by some as a special spot, offering an enjoyable outdoor dining experience with a classic cookout feel.
Shake Shack is primarily known for its burgers, fries, and shakes. While many customers find the burgers to be of consistently good quality, some criticize them for being small, tasteless, and overpriced. The crinkle-cut fries, however, receive praise for their texture and ability to hold cheese sauce. Some reviewers also highlight the quality of their hot dogs, with a few even suggesting they are superior to the burgers. The peanut butter shake is fondly remembered by some, though no longer available.
"Customers often recommend the crinkle-cut fries for their texture and ability to hold cheese sauce. The hot dogs also receive positive mentions, with some considering them superior to the burgers."
Customer sentiment towards Shake Shack is divided. Some patrons praise its consistent quality, particularly the crinkle-cut fries and milkshakes, and appreciate the efficient expansion of the brand. Others express strong disappointment, citing long lines, slow service, high prices, and burgers they deem small and tasteless, with some suggesting better alternatives exist.
Important Note
Some customers find the burgers to be small and tasteless, and the lines can be excessively long. There is a notable divide in opinion regarding the quality and value.
"The hot dogs at Shake Shack are considered better than their burgers."
Positive"Shake Shack's hot dogs are surprisingly excellent."
Positive"The original Shake Shack location in Madison Square Park is considered special."
Positive"Shake Shack at Madison Square Park is recommended as a commercial but excellent option for both hot dogs and burgers, with a great outdoor atmosphere for people-watching."
Positive"Shake Shack is mentioned as a place for burgers."
Neutral"The original Shake Shack in Madison Square Park is suggested for a perfect cookout-style meal with a burger, dog, and beer enjoyed outdoors."
Positive"Shake Shack often has "buy one get one free" specials available through the Uber Eats app for pickup, which can make two burgers cost $12-$14, offering a more budget-friendly option."
Neutral"It was suggested to skip Shake Shack in favor of alternative burger joints like Hamburger America or 7th Street, implying better quality or value elsewhere."
Negative"A reviewer who visited the Madison Square Park location found Shake Shack burgers to be good but not exceptional or "mind-blowing," drawing a comparison to Freddy's burgers. The seating was noted to be great for people-watching."
Neutral"Shake Shack in Madison Square Park is suggested as a good option for eating somewhere outside, making it suitable for casual dining with kids."
Positive"Shake Shack is described as a fun place, with its original location in Madison Square Park offering outdoor seating for nice weather."
Positive"This user expresses strong negative sentiment about Shake Shack's current taste, questioning how it ever became popular if its current quality is considered good."
Negative"They argued that Shake Shack 'tastes like shit' and isn't worth paying for, contrasting its past popularity with Katz's longevity."
Negative"This user highlights Shake Shack's impressive expansion from a single hut in Madison Square Park, implicitly supporting its success in maintaining quality."
Positive"The commenter noted that almost 15 years ago, Shake Shack was unique for smash burgers in NY and its Madison Square Park location made waiting pleasant. They only waited around 20 minutes, not an hour."
Neutral"They passionately defended Shake Shack, particularly its crinkle-cut fries for optimal cheese sauce absorption, and lamented the loss of its peanut butter shake."
Positive"Shake Shack is identified as a local chain that has maintained its quality well during expansion."
Positive"This user asserts that Shake Shack has successfully maintained its quality despite its expansion."
Positive"The author agreed with criticisms of Shake Shack, stating that long lines, slow service, high prices, and small tasteless burgers are characteristic of every Shake Shack, not just the Madison Square Park location."
Negative"The author criticized the original Shake Shack in Madison Square Park for its crazy long line, slow service, high prices, and small, tasteless burger."
Negative
