Famed American burger chain Shake Shack made it to Shanghai opening in Xintiandi just before Spring Festival 2019. This is what we found visiting the joint on a weekend in March 2019. We already experienced Shake Shack in Hong Kong where we enjoyed their smoke burger.
The visit
Shake Shack replaced Pizza Marzano in one of the reconstituted traditional shikumen in the heart of the car-free area of Xintiandi. In my opinion it is a big gain for the area.
It was around 2pm and the relatively small shop was packed. Luckily not much queue and in around 20 minute I got my burger. I was even able to seize a chair.
The delicious smoke burger did not disappoint, but I think the bacon was crispier in Hong Kong. What I like about these burgers is the moderate use of condiments and the spicy backtaste.
They also sell branded merchandising. Not sure it is a good idea to associate your food brand with a pet bowl (pictured above), but it was for sale.
The check
The burger cost 58 RMB, that’s almost 10% more expensive than Hong Kong’s price where it was 62 HKD that at the current exchange rate would be 53 RMB.
They also have the the classic hot dogs, shakes, fries, and concretes (frozen custards, for those who do not fear sugar). The local signature shake is called Strawberry Yu(zu) Garden and is a vanilla frozen custard (can we call it ice cream?) blended with strawberry and, of course, yuzu juice. Will try it next time.
Update
Came back on a Sunday evening, no queue and I tried the exclusive Shake. Yuzu and strawberry are fused well together. I would gladly avoid the whipped cream (and the green tea powder does not add much to the mix).
Where in Shanghai:
Unit 02-03, Building 11-13, Xintiandi, 181 Taicang Lu, near Madang Lu
In Chinese: 新天地北里, 太仓路181弄11-13号, 近马当路
Nearest metro stations: Xintiandi or South Huangpi Road (the latter is closer).
Website: https://www.shakeshack.com/location/shanghai-xintiandi/