It’s here! Shake Shack opened its first Arizona—and westernmost—location at Scottsdale Fashion Square, in the space formerly occupied by Modern Steak, nearly a month ago on February 26. It’s already creating quite the buzz throughout the Valley!
Known for its 100 percent all-natural, antibiotic-free Angus beef burgers and fresh-made frozen custards, the burger chain began as a “humble hot dog cart” set up in New York’s Madison Square Park to help raise money for the Madison Square Park Conservancy’s first art installation. Locals lined up for hours for the restaurant-quality food, and the cart became a permanent park fixture. Check out a live view of the line at the original restaurant and compare it to ours when you visit!
So, why the almost cult-like following? The quality of the ingredients. Like all other Shake Shacks, the Scottsdale location serves a classic ShackBurger, a basic cheeseburger made from 100 percent all-natural, antibiotic-free Angus beef, on a non-GMO potato roll. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, try the SmokeShack burger topped with Applewood smoked bacon, chopped cherry pepper, and ShackSauce.
Or, try a 100 percent all-natural, hormone- and antibiotic-free Vienna beef hot dog. The hot dogs are split and crisped on a griddle before being served up to you in a non-GMO bun. We recommend the signature Shack-cargo Dog, topped with relish, onion, cucumber, pickle, tomato, sport pepper, celery salt, and mustard.
Are you a vegetarian wondering what you can enjoy? The Portobello mushroom ‘Shroom Burger is available for you, too!
This newest location is bringing some local roots along with it, too, including a variety of beers from Grand Canyon Brewing Company, San Tan Brewing Company, and Phoenix Ale Brewery.
Of course, your visit won't be complete without trying the chain's signature frozen custard, known as a concrete (much like our other local favorite, Culver's) when blended with other sweet mix-ins. The new Scottsdale location is serving up one called the Sun Devil, which features vanilla custard, peanut butter sauce, marshmallow sauce, shortbread cookie, and a dusting of malt powder.
Or, try the CamelShack, a combo of vanilla custard, salted caramel sauce, and a slice of banana cream pie from The Bakery Phx. Even better, for every CamelShack concrete purchased, the company will donate 5 percent to Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
Today, there are more than 60 Shake Shacks throughout the United States and abroad. The Scottsdale restaurant is the first of three scheduled to open in Arizona. The second will open at Uptown Plaza in Central Phoenix on the northeast corner of Central Avenue and Camelback Road later this spring, and the third is planned for Scottsdale’s Kierland Commons.
Scottsdale is increasingly becoming a culinary destination for both fine dining and some of the most popular national casual eating chains alike. Have you tried ShakeShack yet? Let us know what you thought!