Shake Shack’s fun energy and high-quality ingredients separate it from your typical burger and shake joint.

What’s on the menu: Shake Shack, originally a hot dog stand, features unique all-natural beef flat-top hot dogs in the $3-$4 price range and savory fresh-to-order burgers that are made of all-natural Angus beef and arrive carefully wrapped in a paper sleeve. The ShackBurger is Shake Shack’s signature cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato and ShackSauce for $4.99. You can choose a single or a double patty, and you can also build your own burger to suit your fancy. Vegetarians can enjoy the ‘Shroom Burger for $6.99. Don’t forget to order a basket of crisp-to-perfection crinkle cut fries for $2.90 or cheese fries for $3.90. Here’s a little known fact: Shake Shack also has a “secret menu” that offers a grilled cheese sandwich, a BLT, and a Garden Dog, which is their vegetarian hot dog. All you have to do is ask!

Why kids will like it: After ordering at the counter, my boys didn’t mind the 7-8 minute wait for their food since they knew it was being cooked to their liking. Two of my boys polished off their hot dogs, while my pickiest eater was thrilled with his lightly toasted “secret” grilled cheese sandwich. They washed down their meals with organic apple juice for $1.80, and they couldn’t wait to try their frozen custard milkshake for dessert. They also liked that Shake Shack is dog-friendly by including dog biscuits on the menu for dogs joining their owners on the heated covered rooftop patio.

Why parents will like it: Despite the lunchtime rush, we had no trouble finding a table in the cozy yet bustling dining room. My husband was very satisfied with his ShackBurger, while I kept it simple and built my own tasty hamburger topped with all-natural Applewood smoked bacon. We were intrigued when we heard there were Atlanta-specific desserts. My boys shared the “Peachtree” hand-spun caramel peach frozen custard milkshake for $5.50. We also enjoyed the locally inspired “Pecan Pie Oh My” and “Campfire S’mores” Concretes starting at $3.50. Concretes are cups of vanilla frozen custard blended with mix-ins like cookie dough, toffee, graham crackers and more. We felt good knowing that part of the proceeds for the s’mores flavor is donated to Camp Twin Lakes, a local charity. There’s no question that we’ll become regulars at Shake Shack, and we feel lucky to have a new go-to eatery with a great vibe that hits the spot in a sweet and savory way.

Details

3035 Peachtree Rd. NE, Ste. A146, Atlanta and Perimeter Mall, Dunwoody
470-809-9201; shakeshack.com
Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

– Felicia Barman