Shake Shack in Buckhead: A First Look (of many)

Warning:  The following may be inappropriate for children under the age of 13 and those who didn't try the meatloaf at John Harvards in the old Buckhead District

The Shake Shack anchors what is the new Buckhead.  What is the new Buckhead you ask?  It's like taking the old Buckhead and constructing the complete oppostie.  As the old Buckhead was full of dive bars and great restaurants, the new Buckhead is full of stores I will never set foot in and couldn't even tell you what they are.

Brunello Cucinelli isn't a wine bar, Jimmy Choo's apparently is not a noodle house and Hermes is not a disease that goes away with antibiotics.  But Shake Shack is a keeper.

I had the infamous Smoke Shack Burger.  It's topped with Applewood baker and the most ingenious topping of all, TOPPED CHERRY PEPPER.  Anyone who know Gino's or Pat's in Philly knows what this is.  It is the secret weapon for the countries best cheese steaks.   How has nobody put this on a burger before?  Pure genius.

As you can see, the imperfect form is one of the unique aspects.  It's cooked to order and takes 7-10 minutes to pop up.  Oh and there can be a line and it has the reputation to be a long one.

Now as good as the burger is, it's not Holeman and Finch (though the bread comes from them), Boccado or Miller Unions.  The quality of meat doesn't compare.  But for $5-10, you can't expect that either.  It's a great affordable burger that is in the class of Grindhouse Burgers or the Vortex.  Only a slight margin better.  The options are more numerous at both establishments, but I challenge you to find a better burger on their menu than the Smoke Shake.

The crinkle fries are delicious as well.

Cripy on the outside, moist on the inside

The cheese on the fries was okay.  I will go sans cheese on the next go round.

Overall, I was very happy with my burger.  The aesthetics of the restaurant were extremely impressive.  In fact, the architecture of the New Buckhead is one of the best urban designs I have laid my eyes on in Atlanta.  Anchored by what is going to be a five story Restoration Hardware, I would put the architecture up against any city district in the country.  It's almost perfection.  Now if they could only get a retailer I would actually shop at.

So for my next hangover, you will find me sitting in line at 11:30 eagerly anticipating the Smoke Shack.

Today's Footnote:

Seeing the new Buckhead unlocked my memory bank with reflections of the old Buckhead.  It was known for its own unique culinary traditions.  The burger at the Racoon Lodge was a staple of my post drinking cure.  Their Thursday Turkey and Gravy special was one of a kind and often challenged my ability to stay awake at work that afternoon.

The watering holes were almost too numerous to name.  CJ's Landing, M&A, Steamhouse, Rose n' Crown (were we saw some really crazy stuff), Tin Roof, Havana Club, Dixie Tavern, Tongue and Groove, the Living Room and Kevin Cassidy's favorite, Uranus.  All the above provided much color to my mid twenties canvas.

The Steamhouse and John Havards had the best food in the district.  And the Atlanta Beer Garden had the worst beer ever, as well as the most ironic name.  Two sips from their microbrew gave you a hangover in 2 hours.  You could find a better watering hole in Lebanon. In fact, two of their "homemade" beers made your head hurt and your ears ring like you were witnessing "The Running of the Tanks" in downtown Beirut.

So thank you Ray Lewis for January 30th, 2000, "The Day Buckhead Died."  So instead of the half naked coed swinging in Mako's, we are staring at $500 high heeled shoes in the same space.  I guess this is called progress.