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Fri
Jun 8
2012

Buzz For New Shake Shack is Incomparable

A few months ago, we told you about the upcoming arrival of Shake Shack, a New York chain specializing in burgers and shakes (‘natch) at the corner of 20th & Sansom. More recently, we brought this construction site to your attention again, noting the excellent and unexpected addition of greenery to an otherwise uninteresting plywood wall. Last week, the plywood wall came down, and on Tuesday, Shake Shack officially opened for business. And people, like, totally freaked out.

The line on the first day wrapped around the building. Foobooz did a four-hour live blogging of the opening. Today, there were again people climbing over each other to get in the door.

Well after the lunch rush

The mob inside

Not since Federal Donuts do we remember this much excitement and energy surrounding the opening of a new food establishment. While Federal Donuts had the benefit of a considerable amount of local food star power behind it, Shake Shack enjoys a tremendous level of brand recognition and passion associated with its products. What other national (or regional) chains could inspire this reaction in Philly? We’re not sure we can think of anything other than In-N-Out Burger. Any other suggestions?

As for us, we’re gonna stick with our old reliable milk shake spot, for the time being. Millie’s, we hope you never change.

Paradise at 15th and Shunk Streets. And no lines!

10
COMMENTS
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Posted in Rittenhouse | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments
  • veggie

    “What other national (or regional) chains could inspire this reaction in Philly?”

    Crumbs, perhaps, but I guess that’s not happening now (???).

  • Endersbean

    people are so weird

  • TaterTotLover

    I hate chains as a rule, but I’d love to see a Sonic somewhere in Center City. 

  • phillyboy

    The only major regional/national fast food chains that started in the Philarea are Rita’s Water Ice and Primo Hoagies.  I’m hoping that some day Primo will be a sort of gourmet version of Subway nationally.  Would be cool publicity for Philly.  Same thing for Rita’s. 

  • Guest

    Panera bread. 

  • Eco_blaine@yahoo.com

    This is why Philadelphia is one of the nation’s fattiest city.

  • Thegoof

    There was a sonic in the port richmond area… on castor near where the walmart is.  I think it went out of business sometime last year.  Its still there, but you have to drive through the parking lot to even know its there.

  • Anonymous

    You’re a fool.  This chain is from NYC and its only hyped for that reason.  The hype for this place packs them for every city/location it opens in.

  • Whitney Joslin

    Although I’m not a fan of chains either, I have to admit that from a design point of view, Shake Shack really accomplished something here. Yes, it’s a chain, but they didn’t just plop down some pre-fab POS onto that site. Even if that business specifically doesn’t remain, I respect the fact that they used some design integrity and actually took the time and thought about what to build here that would contribute positively to the neighborhood and Philly as a whole. We need more attitudes towards building like this! The ways of the past (ie cheapest and fastes)t has gotten us in big trouble and it’s time to start thinking more progressively.

  • Guest

     Maybe a Sonic sans-parking/drive thru.  otherwise i dont see how that would work in center city

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