Lovers of great burgers have found their happy place in the city, with the opening of Macau’s first Shake Shack at The Londoner in April. And not surprisingly, the eagerly awaited establishment has seen long queues of hungry patrons every day since its grand opening.
The Macau Shack joins a list of 95 other international locations and more than 300 stores across the US. Previously, the closest Shack was in Hong Kong, but due to the pandemic, that option has basically been off limits for more than a year, making this new store even more welcome!
Based on the concept of a modern day ‘roadside’ burger stand, Shake Shack is best known for its 100% all-natural Angus beef Shackburgers, chicken sandwiches, flat-top beef hot dogs, crinkle cut fries and frozen custard shakes.
“Our burgers are inspired by the most classic iconic hamburgers from the 1950s. We really harness everything that’s great about comfort food, and amplify it,” says Mark Rosati, Culinary Director of Shake Shack in the official Shake Shack promo video.
There’s even a vegetarian option with the delicious ‘Shroom Burger’, crisp-fried portobelo mushroom filled with melted muenster and cheddar cheese, topped with lettuce, tomato and house-made ShackSauce.
And to wash it all down, you have to try the ShackMeister Ale craft beer, created in collaboration with Brooklyn Brewery and available on tap.
In addition to the usual Shack classics, the first-ever Macau Shack is serving up a selection of local menu items, including the Ginger Crush hand-spun milkshake – Vanilla frozen custard blended with ginger juice, pineapple purée, mango purée, topped with whipped cream and candied ginger.
And if you still have room after all that, for dessert you can try the Olá, Serradura – freshly made Concrete – Vanilla frozen custard blended with tea cookies, toasted coconut and malt powder, or the Queen of Tart – Vanilla frozen custard blended with Portuguese egg tart and strawberries purée.
“We see that our products and the experience of Shake Shack is resonating with people around the world. What’s amazing about when we open a new store, is how people already know about it. Somehow, this legend of Shake Shack has travelled already, and when people get it, they inherit it as their Shack,” CEO of the company Randy Garutti notes in the promo video. “Every Shack is unique, designed specifically for its location. They are all of their place, not something that happened to their place,” he adds.
The design of the Macau Shack is inspired by the Lotus flower, which symbolizes the everlasting prosperity of the city. Featuring the undulating shapes of lotus petals, the curved ceiling line and contrasting light timber and stone creates a unique locally inspired aesthetic.
As part of its mission to ‘Stand for Something Good’ by supporting local producers and artists, Shake Shack Macau also partnered with local illustrator and artist Kun Lam for a featured art piece incorporating the pattern of Azulejos (Portuguese tiles) and street signs with Shake elements.
A series of Macau-exclusive Shack swags, inspired by the thriving gaming industry in the city, are available in limited quantities including Mahjong sets, playing cards, dice and Tic Tac Toe sets and Shack T-shirts inspired by Macau’s best known landmark the Ruins of St. Paul’s.
Despite its global popularity today, Shake Shack had very modest beginnings, originally starting as a simple hot dog cart supporting the “I ♥♥ Taxi” charity campaign in Madison Square Park in 2001. It was an immediate success and returned for two more summers. Eventually, in 2004, the original Shake Shake kiosk was established in the park, adding its now iconic burgers and shakes. Since then, its unique combination of fine dining dishes and casual dining experience has earned it a loyal fan base around the world. Different from ordinary fast food processed in central kitchens, Shake Shack handles food processing, sauces preparation and overall cooking inside its store, using high quality meat that is always hormone and antibiotics free.
“It’s more than just burgers, it’s an experience,” notes Randy Garutti. “Our culture of enlightened hospitality is the single most important part of our success.”
Also as part of Shake Shack’s ‘Stand for Something Good’ mission, the Macau Shack will donate 5% of sales from its Olá, Serradura concretes to Best Buddies Macao Association which creates inclusion friendship opportunities and leadership development for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Address
Shop 2200, Level 2, Shoppes at Londoner
