They’ve finally done it. It seemed as if Shake Shack wouldn’t be joining the fast-food fray when it comes to plant-based burger offerings, maybe because the brand has established a certain level of elevation above the competition, or maybe because its crispy-fried, cheese-stuffed ’Shroom Burger is a popular (and decadent) veggie option.
But the time has come. This month brought the unveiling of the Veggie Shack ($8.50), a patty made with a proprietary blend of veggies and grains plus American cheese, crispy onions, pickles and ShackSauce on a toasted potato bun.
It’s a satisfying success largely because it’s not an Impossible or Beyond burger; whether or not you enjoy those products, the goal is to replicate the ground beef burger experience. Instead, Shake Shack just tried to make a tasty veggie burger, and the mushrooms, sweet potatoes, farro and quinoa packed into the patty deliver with pleasant flavors and textures. And the Veggie Shack corrects the only flaw with the original ShackBurger by adding the perfection of pickles.
Double down on your pseudo fast-food experience with the new non-dairy chocolate shake ($7), made with NotMilk. But you won’t care what’s not in it—it’s a deliciously nostalgic partner to any real or fake burger on the menu.
SHAKE SHACK Four locations, shakeshack.com.
