Shake Shack: A Modern Day Roadside Burger Stand

Last May 10, Shake Shack, an American fast casual restaurant chain, opened its first branch in the Philippines. It became a huge event for the restaurant because it was an instant hit for Filipinos. And of course, as hungry food enthusiasts, we can’t leave the metro without joining the hype. We only go to Manila once a month so why not seize the moment and try the newest burger craze in the country.

After having cars and coffee moment in Burgos Circle with my boyfriend, we arrived at BGC’s Central Square few minutes before its opening time. Long lines are already waiting outside the restaurant. Despite of the large crowd, I’m amazed at how Shake Shack organized everything. All the staff, even the guards, waiters and marshalls, are well-taught. There are also people entertaining the guests. Therefore, I could see that the customers are waiting patiently.

And after an hour of waiting in line, finally, our food is here.

ShackBurger

Shack Burger, their version of cheeseburger, is the bestselling and the most recommended burger. I tried it because I would like to focus on the basic ingredients of their burgers. Besides, you will know that a burger is good if the buns, patty and cheese pass your standards. With Shack Burger, I could feel the fullness and juiciness of the Angus beef in the patty. The buns are soft and sweet. I just think that the cheese in their cheeseburger is quite lacking.

‘Shroom Burger

I never thought that my top pick burger so far is meat-free. The crisp-fried patty is indeed an awe for me because visually, it looks very simple but once bitten, you will taste the beautiful portobello mushroom oozing with melted cheese. This plain-looking burger has a lot of hidden mysteries yet it didn’t give complicated taste that would ruin the flavor of the burger. That’s why I like it so much.

SmokeShack

This was my boyfriend’s first order and his first words after taking a bite was “sobrang sarap.” It’s like a Shack Burger but with lots of twists from the toppings. Just imagine having a cheeseburger with Applewood smoked bacon, chopped cherry pepper and their very own ShackSauce. Plus, it has tender patty and soft buns. It has all sorts of flavors from beefiness and smokiness to chilliness and tanginess.

Shack-cago Dog

As you can see, the Shack-cago Dog looks simple but there is a fire going on in there. I didn’t know how people make hot dogs in Chicago so my throat was totally surprised when I caught a whole sport pepper. It has generous toppings that give various flavors. They are all fresh, too. The bun is soft as always. The sausage is flavorful. It’s salty when eaten alone but will lessen when it is eaten with the bread.

Cheese Fries

I’m glad that they used crinkle cut for their fries. Compared to the usual fries, this has more edges which gives more crispy parts yet the starch of the potato is still there. And it’s way better if you order it with their cheese. The cheese was heaven. I can’t explain how incredible it is. It’s not type of cheese that is satiating. It complements well with the crinkle cut fries and of course, this dish is the best partner for their burgers.

Uubeby Baby

I know that their names are quite playful but Uubeby Baby is a vanilla custard blended with ube and other mix-ins. For me, the base is more of an ice cream than frozen custard. But I appreciate that they used Filipino products for the mix-ins such as ube flakes, white pearl, toasted coconut, pinipig and leche flan. The ube already came along with the custard. Judging the whole thing, I think it became too sweet already.

Black and White Classic Hand-spun Shake

I was looking for a flavor that is not sweet since I’m already aware that they make their desserts really sweet. My first choice was the Coffee but it wasn’t available so I ended up with Black and White. I like that it’s not too sweet as I expected. The blend of the two flavors is yummy. The shake is thick and creamy but at the same, it has smooth texture because I can’t feel the ice at all. The Salted Caramel is also delish but I can’t handle the sugar there.

Calamansi Limeade

Calamansi Limeade is a local twist on Shack classic. I’m assuming that this is naturally made because of the bitter aftertaste which we can usually get from real calamansi fruit. Plus, its acidity is no joke. It sounds crazy to talk about their bottled water in here but I’m glad to mention that they are offering Hope in a Bottle, a company whose profits go to public school classrooms. In fact, I first learned about Hope in a Bottle in Shake Shack.