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.