Shake Shack opened its fourth Michigan location in Arbor Hills Crossing in July in a former Brooks Brothers store. Judging from the long lines snaking out the doors, the change is a popular one.
On a recent visit, groups of high schoolers piled into booths, and couples–young and old–shared baskets of the chain’s iconic crinkle-cut fries, while college students split milkshakes, cramming their omnipresent backpacks under their chairs. Small children proudly helped carry trays heaped with burgers back to tables made of reclaimed wood from bowling alley lanes. Adding green cred, the company says the chairs are made from sustainable materials and the booths from lumber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
First-timers waiting in the quick-moving line can study the giant menu that fills the wall beside the register. Beside the fries, Shake Shack is known for its Angus beef burgers and creamy custard concoctions. Hot dogs and chicken sandwiches round out the “roadside burger stand” menu. Local touches include a frozen custard “concrete” made with Zingerman’s Black Magic brownies and another with a seasonal Zingerman’s pie (with 5 percent of the price going to the ChadTough Foundation for children’s cancer research).
Patrons looking for a more grown-up experience can enjoy a variety of beers from local breweries or choose a glass of red or white house wine. On our visit, the outdoor patio was full of patrons enjoying hot food, cold drinks, and the last rays of the lingering sun.
Shake Shack, 3030 Washtenaw Ave. #107. (734) 412-4762. Daily 11 a.m.-10 p.m. shakeshack.com/location/ann-arbor-mi
