First Look: Shake Shack Austin

Last Tuesday marked the grand opening of Shake Shack on South Lamar. After expanding outside the East Coast to Chicago and Las Vegas, the famous New York chain has finally opened a location in Texas. As the culinary capital of Texas, it was only natural that Austin would get the honor.

The Lamar Union location immediately hearkens back to New York City, but is tailored for the Lone Star State. Fittingly, Shake Shack Austin boasts a much vaster space than the typical outlet, with multiple communal tables. A living moss wall (by Austin firm Articulture Designs) surrounds the space and pays homage to their Madison Square Park roots, while Texas is represented by a half wall of planters and white orbs filled with succulents. The rest of the space is simple, with wood planks and simple plywood seating. There’s also a wraparound patio for dining outside.

The open kitchen is a focal point, however, allowing the aroma of ShackBurgers to waft throughout the space. Name aside, the burger itself is the main attraction. The basic ShackBurger is juicy and tender, with melted American cheese and Shack sauce (a proprietary blend including mayo, mustard, and ketchup) to hold the burger in place. Vegetables are fresh but minimal, allowing the beef to shine. But the template is given a little Texas flair with the Lockhart Link burger, featuring jalapeño cheddar sausage from Lockhart’s Kreuz Market.

Still, the shakes are no afterthought. The basic versions are great, but the concretes – similar to Dairy Queen’s Blizzard – are a must-try. Made with a custard ice cream blend, concretes are denser and richer than the regular ice cream shakes. Local flavor is represented in the Uchi-koncrete – vanilla custard with a miso hazelnut blondie and huckleberry jam (courtesy of Uchi and Uchiko) – and the ATX version of the Shack Attack – with chocolate courtesy of Kiskadee.

The rest of the menu includes hot dogs, simple crinkle-cut fries, and soft drinks. ATX is represented yet again with a selection of local brews from Hops & Grain, Independence Brewing Co., Karbach Brewing Co., Real Ale, and Austin Eastciders.

It seems that Austin suits Shake Shack. Just as the flattop is getting broken in on South Lamar, Shake Shack is already in the process of opening another location in the Domain in the late summer or early fall.