Shake Shack Valley Fair

I’m glad that they finally have a dining area in the restaurant.
The last time I went, we only had to order online.
From the inside, it’s hard to find available seats, which is why I waited a bit long to get seats. The food is good.
I like how everything about the burger is soft, but feels a bit overpriced based on its small size.
The fries as well, and has a bit too much salt.
This is pretty much what I ordered today and also the last time I went, but I should try other options.

First time at Shake Shack and I had high hopes, but sadly, I was disappointed.
The food may look good, but the burger buns were too greasy, the patty was soggy and the vegetables used clearly weren’t fresh.
When the fries arrived at our table they were cold already.

Owner response

First time at a Shake Shack.
I left the US the year Shake Shack came to the west coast and haven’t had the chance to check it out on the short visits before the pandemic.
Finally got to give it a shot after all the hype and unfortunately, I was NOT impressed. We were “greeted” by a gentleman at our table after we ordered and seated ourselves after paying an 18% gratuity at the self service counter.
He lured around at the side of our table, asking if we needed help.
We said we were fine but he stuck around and insisted to finish his 5-min-speech.
I tried to cut the convo by saying yes please bring us napkins and water, but he wouldn’t stop and just kept mumbling.
At one point he was saying something like “the CIA wouldn’t knock on your door or anything”.
At first I was just a bit annoyed but near the end I was getting kinda anxious as I wasn’t sure what he was looking for.
He finally wrapped up and gave us a feedback QR code with his name on it, and then left without the water and napkin I asked for and moved on to the next table. Not a great start to a much looked forward meal. The place was more than half empty on a Monday evening.
After a 20 min wait, we received a signature burger, chicken nuggets WITHOUT the sauce we opted for, and a plate of chewy cold fries.
I asked the gentleman at the counter for the sauce, and was given a silent treatment and no eye contact after the 3 thank-you’s I gave him.
But I did get the Shack sauce. Now onto the food.
I wouldn’t trade my 3 dollar in n out for the Shake Shack burger I got any day.
Honestly couldn’t tell the difference other than the super soft brioche, which I would appreciate if it was a pillow but not as a bun.
Letting alone the one sad looking pale frozen fry that I took a bite out of, rest of the fries were dry and soggy at the same time (it’s almost magical how the contrast was presented), chewy, room temp, and tasted nothing like potatoes.
The highlight was the chicken nuggets.
Super tender, crispy and tasted like chicken (the bar was that low at this point). My lemonade was nicely watered down, just how I like my lemon waters. There goes my first Shake Shack experience.
I think I was just unlucky and will give another location a try on my prolonged trip this time around, since I’ve waited 3.5 years to be back on the US soil, and this simply CANNOT be my first and last memory of Shake Shack before I have to leave again.

Owner response