Sweet on Shake Shack

With all the hoopla over new Van Leeuwen ice cream truck, Tribeca cart wars and frozen yogurt taking over the city, it's like Shake Shack's frozen custard has melted from memory. Not for me.

I blew by all the chumps waiting in line for burgers and went straight to the B line — custard express — and got the flavor of the day: Plum crumb.

Creamy texture + tart and tangy aftertaste + bits of crumb (strange little blonde pellets) = the perfect treat for another hot summer day.

My Milkshake Is Better Than Yours

Danny Meyer proves that all shakes are not created equal.

Since opening in 2004, Shake Shack, the “roadside” eatery in Madison Square Park has developed a cult following — which means crazy-long lines. Luckily, most people are waiting for burgers, which have been declared among the city’s best. For milkshakes, there’s a separate queue that moves quicker.

What makes these shakes worth waiting in any line for is the quality and simplicity of their ingredients — think: Gramercy Tavern, not Carvel. Flavors are limited to chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, caramel, coffee, and black & white. Each is made with frozen custard — as opposed to ice cream or soft serve — milk and one other ingredient. The black & white, the most popular choice, for example, is vanilla custard, milk and hot fudge. The strawberry shake, made with pureed berries, is perfectly sweet and the caramel, which uses caramel sauce, tastes as decadent as an entire sundae.

Even sweeter? A portion of Shake Shack’s proceeds goes to the Madison Square Park Conservancy, which keeps the park in tip-top shape.

Shake Shack
Southeast corner of Madison Square Park
212.889.6600