Shake Shack Arrives
Shake Shack sets Houston opening date, with some "only in Texas" menu items
Shake Shack, the New York-based global burger juggernaut, arrives in Houston next week. The company announced Friday morning that it will open its first Houston-area location on November 4 at 11 am.
The opening comes after almost a year of fevered anticipation — Shake Shack first announced its plans back in January — and a pop-up earlier this month that 1,200 people attended. So, yes, expect a crowd next Friday and for the foreseeable future.
With locations in 16 states, Washington, D.C. and six countries, Shake Shack has become one of the most-acclaimed burger chains in the world. The restaurant's formula is relatively simple: a thin, diner-style patty on a potato bun topped with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and "shack sauce," a tangy, mayonnaise-style spread.
Turning to the Houston location, the restaurant will have a Westheimer-facing entrance across from the "jewel box" that's home to upscale fashion retailer The Webster and the upcoming Michelin-starred dim sum restaurant Yauatcha. Diners will be able to spot the restaurant by its living moss wall that's been created by Austin-based firm Articulture Designs.
In addition to the familiar ShackBurgers and chicken sandwiches, the Houston location will get a couple of special items. Like Austin, the Houston shack will serve a Lockhart Link burger that's topped with a jalapeno-cheese sausage from the iconic Texas barbecue joint Kreuz Market.
For dessert, the company has partnered with Fluff Bake Bar, Greenway Coffee, Morningstar for three concretes: the Cup|cake Crunch (vanilla frozen custard, fudge sauce, Fluff Bake Bar devil’s food cake with pretzel crunch and caramel buttercream), Vietnamese Coffee and Donuts (vanilla frozen custard, Morningstar cop doughnut, and Greenway Coffee café su dua marshmallow sauce), and Post Oak Pie Oh My (vanilla frozen custard with a slice of Fluff Bake Bar seasonal pie). Five percent of sales from the Vietnamese Coffee and Donuts concrete will benefit the Houston SPCA.
“The Galleria is a natural gathering place in Houston,” said Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti in a statement. “We’re pumped to be a part of what they’ve built, and create a new spot for friends and family to kick back with burgers and beer in a great setting. We were humbled by the turnout and love on social media from our pop-up with The Pass & Provisions in October. We can’t wait to bring that energy to the Shack every day in this great city.”
A second location will replace La Madeline in Rice Village next year.
