Remember how excited we were to announce the first standalone Shake Shack in Queens?
Well, it opens today, and that means a lot of things. The most important thing is that the residents of Queens will no longer need expensive tickets to sink their teeth into ShackBurgers.
Really, buying plane tickets out of JFK and event tickets to CitiField just to grab a SmokeShack or 'Shroom Burger was getting old.
If you went out of your way to do just that, well, props to you, but that's ridiculous.
The new burger spot opened on the morning of Wednesday, December 30th at the Queens Center Mall in Elmhurst, at 90-15 Queens Blvd. The space used to be an Urban Outfitters.
According to Eater, the burger joint is opening their doors earlier than anyone expected. The restaurant wasn't projected to open its doors until after the New Year.
After the World Trade Center's Oculus shopping center's opening was perpetually pushed back, and with a very dim light at the end of the tunnel for the 2nd Avenue subway construction, we're pleasantly delighted by Shake Shack's early opening.
[anad]
This new location will also serve a twist on the classic Shake Shack menu.
We know what you're thinking, and no, you'll still have to go to Brooklyn to get the ChickenShack. Still, the new Queens Shake Shack will offer local beer and a Chocolate Peanut Butter Chrunchete.
We're intrigued by the Chocolate Peanut Butter Chrunchete by name alone, but when we found out what was in it, we had to suppress a violent stomach grumble. It's got chocolate custard, peanut butter sauce, chocolate toffee, and chocolate sprinkles.
If that wasn't enough for you, sit tight. We've got more. They'll also add a Banana Caramel Crisp to Shake Shack's staple menu. It'll be comprised of vanilla custard, banana, caramel sauce, and crumbled sugar cone cookie.
shakeshack Yas Queens! We've officially opened our first stand-alone Queens Shack in @queenscentermall. Our team can't wait to see ya soon!
You'd be forgiven for closing your computer and rushing to Queens to eat both of these new desserts right now.
They're also adding a World's Fare concrete: a treat made of vanilla custard, matcha, marshmallow sauce, and crispy crunchies. The best part? You don't need to feel guilty about indulging in a World's Fare concrete. Five percent of the treat's profits will be donated to Play4Autism.
This is the first standalone Queens Shake Shack, but it won't hold that title for long. There's another Shake Shack expected to spring up in Queens, this one in Forest Hills, later this year.
So get out there. Shack up. Bring us some while you're at it.
Check out $400 for a New Year's Eve Dinner at Times Square's Olive Garden.
[Feature Image Courtesy Instagram]