Review: Shake Shack - Big Shack

Shake Shack's Big Shack is a limited-time, Big Mac-like burger that features two quarter-pound Angus beef patties, secret sauce, green leaf lettuce, two slices of American cheese, Roma tomatoes, thick-cut pickles, and onions, on three buttered and toasted potato buns.

The Big Shack normally costs $9.99, but I used the chain's current deal, which lets you get one for free when you spend $10 or more. I bought a Coffee Shake and onion rings for a little over $10.

My particular Big Shack came with an almost comically small top bun and threatened to topple over due to its height and the very thick, lightly-pickled cucumbers and other produce.

It looked pretty good. I had a bit of a debate with myself over whether to try to cut it in half for a cross-section shot. I managed, though:

The "secret sauce" was just Shack Sauce. Compared to Mac Sauce, it's more subtle (less tangy, less sweet) and savory.

The middle bun was pointless. It might have been useful if it had been between the pickles and tomatoes to help hold them in place. The melted cheese would have been plenty enough to hold the patties. The lone leaf of lettuce didn't do much for me.

The beef patties were cooked really well. They had crispy edges, a nice sear on both sides, and a flavorful, juicy interior.

The onion rings I got on the side were excellent. They had a nice, crispy beer-battered shell and were cooked through for an easy, clean bite.

At the end of the day, I really enjoyed the Big Shack. It's basically a Double ShackBurger with a middle bun, onions, and pickles at a slight discount (much more so with the deal). While it's somewhat unwieldy to eat due to its height and construction, the tastes and textures were great, and the onion and pickles added a nice crunch, accompanied by light flavors.