Dear hamburger fans, this time has finally arrived. The popular hamburger shop "Shake Shack" from New York (NY) in the United States will finally land in Japan.

It's been about 9 months since the store's expansion into Japan was announced in February. Many people have been waiting for this day. Of course, the eating editorial department is one of them. We have enjoyed Japanese Shake Shack at the tasting party held prior to the opening of the first Japanese store "Shake Shack Gaien Icho Namiki Store" (November 13th)! I have tasted the Japanese limited menu as well as the grand menu.

■ Shake Shack is such a shop

Shake Shack started as a hot dog cart in 2001 in a corner of Madison Square Park in New York. It started operations as a permanent hamburger stand in 2004, and now it has expanded to the Middle East and the United Kingdom, with a total of more than 70 stores (as of October 2015).

When the author (the daughter of the 365th child) visited a store in NY, I saw a line at several stores. Americans who are said to "dislike queues" are lined up regardless of time. Among the many hamburger shops, it seems to be extremely popular.

[1] Affordable feeling without hampering

Perhaps the biggest reason Shake Shack is so popular is that you can eat high quality burgers like "gourmet burgers" at "affordable prices".

The products are made in pursuit of the quality of the materials. For example, Patty's beef uses 100% Angus beef grown without using any hormones. It is served by blending freshly ground originals and baking them to medium. The buns to match are potato buns with potatoes. It seems that the balance is such that it "wraps the meat" by thoroughly researching the thickness.

The signature menu "Shack Burger" is a sandwich of cheese, tomato, lettuce and shack sauce on this patty. Although it is small, the patty has a firm flesh and is excellent for eating. The discerning buns are certainly a perfect balance and do not interfere with the taste of the meat. Is it an image that the surrounding ingredients are fully assisting the meat of the leading role? It's a simple but never-ending taste that makes you want to eat it again and again.

In other words, it's delicious. I can only say that it is delicious! The editorial staff who accompanied me (Shake Shack's first experience) even said, "I may not be able to eat anything other than this hamburger anymore."

Patty's flesh and the buns that complement it are irresistible
Patty's flesh and the buns that complement it are irresistible

French fries also have a crispy texture, probably because of the jagged cut (it seems to be a crinkle cut). The saltiness was low, but the potato taste is strong, so it may be enough. Of course, as in the United States, ketchup is also available, so you can use it as you like.

French fries are crispy enough to make a sound!
French fries are crispy enough to make a sound!

The shack burger is not cheap at 680 yen per piece, but this quality is even cheaper. It is a hamburger that you can easily eat without the pretentious atmosphere of a "gourmet burger". It was as delicious as the United States.

[2] Beer is delicious

As I realized in NY, the alcohol menu offered is delicious. In particular, beer is specially made by a Brooklyn brewery and goes surprisingly well with burgers and potatoes. It seems that alcohol is rarely served at fast food restaurants, but he says that he prepares beer and wine made for the restaurant because he wants to enrich the experience of going to a hamburger restaurant. ..

In Japan, you can also drink "Shack Meister Ale", a beer for Shake Shack by Brooklyn Brewery. Unfortunately I couldn't drink it at the tasting party, but it's really delicious, so please give it a try!

I wanted to drink too much, so I took a picture of the signboard (?)
I wanted to drink too much, so I took a picture of the signboard (?)

[3] Hospitality that people praise

Looking at overseas reviews, we see many comments on customer service and operations, such as staff response and speed of delivery. "The staff are very active, and even if the line is long, you can receive the product without waiting for more than 10 minutes from the order (of course, it's done!)" "I was surprised that there was a dedicated staff who wiped the table and it was really clean." etc. Hospitality seems to be a matter of course when you are in Japan, but the pursuit of quality is also one of the reasons for its popularity.

The Gaien Icho Namiki store also has a very bright and open atmosphere. The store design exudes the spirit of "hospitality". It's very similar to the atmosphere of Madison Square Park, which is the root of the shop, and it seems good to enjoy hamburgers slowly on the terrace seats with 100 seats. It's a cold season, but ... There is also a dog menu, so you can spend time with your dog.

There is a table tennis table in one corner of the terrace seats
There is a table tennis table in one corner of the terrace seats

By the way, according to the staff who interviewed "In-N-Out Burger " which is very popular on the west coast before, the quality of the meat is high and the quality of the staff is also high, and there are many restaurants where you can eat comfortably. ..

■ What is your favorite menu?

The main grand menus and prices (excluding tax) in Japan are as follows. It seems that you can basically enjoy the same menu as in the United States.

"Shack Burger" 680 yen "'Shroom Burger" 930 yen: For vegetarians but very popular with other people. "Shack-cago Dog" is a sandwich of fried two kinds of cheese packed in a large mushroom. 580 yen: A hot dog with plenty of vegetables, "like dragging sausages in a vegetable field." "Fries" 280 yen to choose from beef and pork "Concrete" small 480 yen ~ (original ice cream)
"Shack Meister Ale" 830 yen

It is written on the wall
It is written on the wall

You can enjoy the Japanese-only menu of "concrete", a thick ice cream made with frozen custard that is handmade at the shop every morning. Four types of original toppings are available only in Japan.

Among them, the developer's recommendation is "The Tokyo Edition". The cocoa nibs from the Bean to Bar Chocolate specialty store "Minimal" in Shibuya are accented.

Enjoy the harmony of chocolate custard and vanilla custard
Enjoy the harmony of chocolate custard and vanilla custard

In addition, a total of 4 types of concrete such as "Shack Attack" containing milk chocolate popcorn brownie specially made by thepopular sweets shop "Dominique Ansel Bakery" and a shake "Black Sesame" containing black sesame paste are available. It has been done. By the way, the product name of concrete is said to be derived from the fact that it is so rich that it does not fall even if the cup is turned over.

By the way, Shake Shack who came to Japan with full satisfaction. Personally, I reconfirmed that it is delicious that I want to go to again and again, so I definitely want you to open stores in various places. I am worried about future developments. If you're eating for the first time, is it a combination of shack burger, french fries, and beer (really recommended)? There seems to be a line for the time being, but if you come near, try it.

The address of the store is 2-1-15 Kita-Aoyama, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. Business hours are from 11:00 to 22:00. Also pay attention to original design goods such as tote bags commemorating the opening of the first store in Japan, towels, and T-shirts in fashionable cylinders!

A tote bag with a shining burger logo
A tote bag with a shining burger logo