Shake Shack Westport

[sibeats]

Just read this on the Westportnow.com website. Looks like Shake Shack "might" be opening where Pho Mekong was in Westport.
http://www.westportnow.com/index.php?...

[JenJeninCT]

At long last, work started on this location last week... hopefully a good sign that they will be opening on schedule- I'm just glad it will be after my lent-induced vegetarianism...

[LorenV]

Good news for sure...and sure to help keep 5 Guys on their toes as well.

Hopefully the outdoor seating isn't riddled with critters like the MSG location is though. That is some scene for a first time Shake Shack visitor for sure.

[jfood]

jfood's ode to ee commings:

jfood is not willing to place any future hamburger on his top burger list until after he tastes it and decides for himself and this is one year away, so discussing current deliciousness in the area is not an option for ss. but in the interim jfood will enjoy all the wonderful hamburgers, cheeseburgers, bacon cheeseburgers, onion rings, french fried potatoes, chocolate milkshakes and chocolate malteds, onion rings.that places in fairfield, westport, norwalk, stamford, greenwich, new canaan, wilton, weston, etc have to offer.

[wreckers00]

well put jfood. (I personally don't think shake shack will have the best burgers in FField county when it does come, but it will be nice to have for me in Westport)

[hungrykids]

oh no....i've been out of the loop (and out of town)...when did Pho Mekong close???? We LOVED that place (although apparently we didn't visit often enough...)

[stevel]

I ate at the original(Madison Square Park) for the first time this week. It was ok, nothing great. I don't understand all the fuss.

[wreckers00]

Well yeah you're at Citifield where the quality isn't as good and the prices are jacked up about 30%.

A single at a regular Shake Shack is $3.75.

As far as I know, a single regular at 5 guys is $3.59.

No price difference and I know the quality between the 2 is different. 3.75 is real cheap considering a burger at Super Duper Weenie and Flipside Burger and Burger Bar in SoNo and any restaurant that serves a burger are all more expensive.

I'm not arguing for the taste, and yes I know it's overhyped, but it will bring hype about food to Fairfield County, which we basically have none of.

-----
Super Duper Weenie
306 Black Rock Tpke, Fairfield, CT 06825

[BiscuitBoy]

seems that over-hyped places, particularly chains, get the kaibosh around here

[jfood]

"but it will bring hype about food to Fairfield County, which we basically have none of."

Are you saying no hype or no food in FFD CTY.

Jfood thinks there is plenty of both.

[Scotty100]

The shake shack at citifield is a very poor representation of shake shack in the city. But if it's the most expensive you've ever eaten then I guess your comparisons are going to be somewhat limited.

[wreckers00]

Jfood...I meant hype. I'm just saying we could use hype to get some better fine-dining places.

Yes, FField County has great food. But I think it could be even better. I would just like to see a really good fine-dining place in CT or even a top notch casual. (I'm not sure if this shake shack thing will do it but it's just a hope) NO I don't want Fairfield Cty to be like NYC...

[Scotty100]

Napa and Co in Stamford is a "top notch casual". Of course shake shack "will do"...why wouldn't it?!

[wreckers00]

I agree Napa and Co is great...that's one restaurant. I don't think you understood my post...I was saying that bringing Shake Shack to Westport will bring more great food to Fairfield County, and simply more excitement about good food.

[tonylazzeri]

I am so excited to have Shake Shack coming to Westport (as reported by me first!). Westport is a terrific food town, and about to get even better.

On a side note, I thought Napa & Co. was underwhelming and overpriced, food good, but not "great".

[jfood]

thanks W

not sure how long you have lived here but it is waaaay better than 15 years ago. jfood would prefer top-notch casual would be be great. couple look like happening in stm, another in darien, so the pendulum is going in te right direction.

have a great weekend.

[shark_attack]

******** NEWS FLASH ********

WESTPORT P AND Z APPROVES SHAKE SHACK PLANS, SCHEDULED TO OPEN 2ND HALF 2011

according to westportnow

[coldduck]

Burger, fries and shake were $18.50 at Citi Field and, I think, $14.50 in NYC. This whole thing is SO Westport.

[BiscuitBoy]

Heard about the bluesmoke AND shakeshack thing a long time ago. Will have to see if this latest dev pans out

[shark_attack]

This is of course a my opinion but I don't think the 5 Guys is doing all that well in Westport.

Whenever I drive by a check it out and there is basicallly NEVER a line anymore.

[sibeats]

I agree...at first it was packed with high school students all day...now it seems very very empty.

[BiscuitBoy]

therefore you're thinking a ss wouldn't work?

[plien69]

I don't think shark drew that connection at all in his post. He was merely providing a data point for others to make their own analysis of a SS in Westport.

[shark_attack]

IT'S OFFICIAL!

From today's Westportnow news website:

"Executives of Shake Shack, a New York-based restaurant company, part of the Union Square Hospitality Group, went before the Westport Planning and Zoning Commission tonight to explain its plans for a new restaurant at 1849 Post Road East near the Fairfield town line. Formerly occupied by the Pho Mekong Thai-Vietnamese Noodle House and Restaurant, the space would house a restaurant described as a “modern day ‘roadside’ stand that serves hamburgers, hot dogs, frozen custard, beer, and wine. The company presented this rendering of the proposed Westport restaurant during its presentation. "

[louuuuu]

Fantastic news. And this SS, unlike NYC iterations, won't be a walkup, but a driveup in the words of the application
"a"modern day ‘roadside’ stand"

[wreckers00]

awesome! Can't wait!

[BiscuitBoy]

beer and wine cool, gotta tell the dog...though a bit strange for a "driveup." Will have to see

[wreckers00]

Last time I checked there wasn't a single good "fast food" hamburger in the past Stamford going to Fairfield. (I will say Flipside Burger in Ffield is actually pretty good, but its more sit down).

Secondly, it's awesome because the concretes and hot dogs are really good.

Third, the most exciting part, is that arguably the greatest restauranteur in the country is choosing Westport to put his first "drive-up" Shake Shack, which is his most profitable business. I hope this brings more good food and good restauranteurs to the area, because Fairfield County could definitely use them.

[kattyeyes]

OK, I googled: concrete = shake or is it shake with stuff in it? Is their frozen custard truly amazing? I'm not being sarcastic...I've never had "frozen custard" per se, but I make lotsa gelato at home...so egg-based custard, soft-serve stuff, is that how it goes? Is that what makes the shakes special?

And I have to say, I agree, the drive-in with beer and wine sounds funny, too...though am sure they don't serve it in to-go cups. ;) Definitely a different twist on usual roadside stands a la Blackie's in Cheshire, e.g.

[steve h.]

I like the original Shake Shack. In the bad old days, Madison Square was an urban disaster of biblical proportions. Time marched on, Rudy G. became a mayor and Madison Square was cleaned up. Danny Meyer's original Shake Shack was the cornerstone that cemented the park's renaissance into what it is today: one of Manhattan's most beautiful urban venues. I like to grab a beer there, scratch a few doggies, watch moms and kids hang out and take in some of the best architecture in all of New York.

The burgers are ok. Better than In 'n Out but not by much. Fries are ok, too. Blue Smoke, another Meyer's property in Manhattan, actually has bigger/better burgers but that's a very subjective opinion.

At the end of the day, I'm indebted to Meyer and his team for helping resuscitate Madison Square. I might even travel to Westport when the new shop opens up.

http://eater.com/tags/connecticut

[louuuuu]

"Concrete" is midwest-speak for frozen custard with mix in's, mixed to form a sundae more than a shake because of its density. At Shake Shack, it's an homage to a place in Danny Meyer's hometown of St. Louis -- Ted Drewes, who created it.

One spot you can get it in Ct. is The Concrete Factory in Ashford near Hartford.. Stopped in there a couple of years ago and it was really good.

http://blogs.courant.com/itowns_ec/20...

Looking forward to opening of Westport SS next year. Not just for the hamburgers... but the debate on these boards.. Man your stations.

[kattyeyes]

Thanks for explaining, louuuuu--so sort of like a midwestern blizzard, then (apologies if you hate DQ). ;) Appreciate the Ashford info, too. Will put that on my "gotta get there" list.

Indeed, the debates here have been as lively as this season's political ads! Choose your burgers, shakes, fries (!) and words wisely for sure.

e.e. katty
>>^..^<<

[Tubulus]

That would be awesome! Though seems like a stupid place in town as there is no foot traffic there (nor could there really be). Down by the train station at the new development or downtown could make some sense.

[Ima Foodie]

wasn't there a rumour that DM was going to open a Blue Smoke nearby at one point? Maybe he has a soft spot for Fairfield county.

[wreckers00]

he did go to college in CT (Trinity in Hartford) and Ffield county is just much closer to NYC

[tito]

Blue Smoke was supposed to open in Greenwich, but the project seems to be doomed

[Pipenta]

They NEED to open in New Haven.

[wreckers00]

I really hope it's true! But Westport doesn't exactly have the foot traffic that the NY locations, DC location and Miami location have (Okay, Westport has NO foot traffic at that area of town)

I'm still praying it's true. Maybe this puts Westport on some sort of culinary map?

And btw...where is WestportNow even getting this info..it's not exactly the most reliable news site.