Shake Shack - Yonge & Dundas — Restaurant in Toronto

Not Smashing IT!

Oh my gosh, what have I done to my poor taste buds!

Horrible.

First of all, the whole setup is ridiculous.

After you place your order you're hurried on off to the end of the counter with a whole herd of hungry folks, oh forgot to mention after you pay for your order you're handed a paperweight that serves as a pager to let you know your food is ready.

Ew. It's not very sanitary, considering how many hands have held that thing, BTW.

So then you hurry on over to the end of the counter and stand there for an extensive amount of time waiting for this pager to go off, indicating that it's time for you to climb on over the crowd of other people waiting along with people grabbing condiments and throwing their garbage out in the same area, because whoever designed this place didn't think too much about the space and people crowding around bumping into each other. It's just one big congested area. Somewhat like downtown Toronto traffic during rush hour.

So I got my food, and now I have another obstacle to deal with. Where to find a table? Because there isn't anywhere where to sit.

Finally, after several minutes of walking back and forth and circling around, I find a table! HORRAY!

But there's a problem, the table is dirty and needs to be wiped off. So I have to call over a worker and ask if the table could be wiped off.

I wait an additional 5 minutes!

Phew. I can finally try the food!

Ready?

Here we go!

I ordered the Smoked Shack Burger. It included cheese, applewood smoked bacon, and some weird red like ICE COLD spicey relish.

The applewood bacon did not taste like applewood bacon at all. As a matter of fact, it didn't even taste like bacon. It tasted artificial and odd.

The meat was strange tasting as well it left a very weird after taste that I never EVER experienced eating a burger before.

I don't think that was real cheese either. It had that cheese whiz feeling to it, and it was gritty and just strange texture overall.

F- for the Smoked Shack Burger with cheese and applewood bacon. The claim that their burgers are made from Angus beef. Seriously, I hardly doubt that. If it is Angus, beef is of real low quality.

Bacon didn't taste or feel like bacon. You couldn't get any hint of the apple wood. The cheese was not regular American cheese or a proper slice of cheese, the red pepper relish was ice-cold, and bun was cold as well. The meat left an unusual aftertaste.

C- for the Fries. Not bad. Not spectacular, either. I don't think they cut their fries right at the restaurant or nearby. I would give the fries just one step above McCain's frozen fries.

F- for the Fountain Soda. I ordered the coke a cola. The menu stated it was Fountain Soda, which means it should have that syrupy consistent, fresh zap zap taste to it that usually accompanies fountain drinks. This did not. And as a matter of fact, my soda was FLAT. It had absolutely no carbonated water. It just tasted like brown water.

Seriously? Shake Shack can't even get Soda, right? If you can't make a proper Fountain Drink, you know it's simple, right? Then you shouldn't be in business. Just ditch the fountain drink options and sell cans instead.

Overall, it was a horrible experience.

There are so many really good and quality Burger joints in the city to go to instead.

Unfortunately, the Shake Shack isn't one of them.

Save your money. Be kind to your taste buds and skip the visit to Shake Shack!

What also shocked me about this place is that they force the customer to tip. I'm not against tipping, but 1) these folks are being paid an hourly wage based on Ministry of Labour Wage Schedule, they are not waitstaff, 2) there is no option that states no tip, and 3) where are the tips going to? Do the tips go back to the employees, at least? And not management?

Overall, it was not a good experience at Shake Shack, and I wouldn't recommend it.

There are so many other amazing Burger Joints in Toronto that know how to do burgers and fries properly.

Save your money, protect your taste buds, and stay away from Shake...

I have been to many Shake Shack, ones from different states (New York, California, Nevada and Florida) and including ones in Asia. Those 1 star reviews for this location about the size of burgers, prices, halal meat, mediocre burger, poor customer service, please do yourself a favour and ignore them all. All inaccurate reviews of Shake Shack.

The size of the burgers are the exact same all across the board. I always take pictures of food everywhere I go and I have checked all the pictures of burgers from all locations I have been to and they’re all the same size.

The price of the food. To those who complain it’s a small burger for the price, just don’t eat out. I have been to other local burger joints in the GTA serving smaller portions of burgers and costing about the same price but not as delicious. Additionally I have compared the prices of the New York City Madison Square Park location. In Canadian dollars, the prices are about just less than $1 more in the Dundas square location. If you were to drive or fly down to the states to eat Shake Shack, you would be paying way more because of the conversion rate! Having Shake Shack at the Dundas Square location is in fact way cheaper! The ShackBurger in the NYC location cost $7.99 USD meanwhile the same burger cost $8.49 CAD. Be grateful that they aren’t charging prices after conversion rate as that burger would cost $11 instead of $8.49!

The burgers and fries were served very fresh off the grill and fryer and absolutely delicious and not mediocre. They were so delicious and way better than a lot of burger joints in the GTA. They taste the same and if not better than ones in the States. I have had ones in the States where I thought were mediocre. Definitely didn’t taste mediocre when I went on June 30. The only comment I have is the bacon cheese fries could absolutely use more bacon. I compared the pictures of the same fries that I ordered in the States and it definitely had way more bacon.

I had no issues with the meat being halal and I don’t find it to taste any different or affect the burger in any way. However if Shake Shack may consider other meat options in the future, that would cover more groups of people.

The customer service was absolutely amazing at Shake Shack! We didn’t have to clear the tables or even bring our tray to the trash bins! Someone came to grab them as I was finishing my food. Definitely way better service than those in the States. I asked for ice after I received my drink without ice, they gladly handed me a full cup of ice with a smile.

All in all, be grateful that we even have a Shake Shack location in Canada. I have been waiting so many years for this to happen and it finally came! I no longer need to go out of my way to have Shake Shack in other countries because I can have it here! I will definitely return for more burgers and bacon...

Shake Shack’s arrival in Toronto brings an exciting, highly anticipated addition to the city’s already impressive burger scene. Known globally for its consistent quality and iconic smashburgers, Shake Shack in Toronto doesn’t disappoint. Here’s a quick breakdown of the experience:

The Burger Shake Shack’s burgers deliver on all the signature flavors fans love. The ShackBurger is a standout, with a perfectly seared beef patty, fresh lettuce, tomato, and that beloved ShackSauce that adds a tangy, creamy punch. The patty itself has a great beefy flavor with just the right amount of char, striking a balance between juicy and crispy. It's simple yet incredibly satisfying, with a flavor profile that’s consistently well-executed.

For those wanting something more decadent, the SmokeShack adds bacon and cherry peppers for a bit of smoky heat, making it a favorite for those looking to elevate the classic ShackBurger. And if you’re into plant-based options, the 'Shroom Burger—a crispy, cheese-stuffed portobello mushroom—is a surprisingly indulgent and hearty vegetarian alternative.

The Fries and Shakes The crinkle-cut fries are crisp and golden, offering a satisfying crunch with every bite. If you're a fan of cheese, the cheese fries come with a generous drizzle of creamy cheese sauce, adding that little extra richness that pairs perfectly with the burgers.

And, of course, no visit to Shake Shack is complete without one of their shakes. From classic vanilla to seasonal flavors, the shakes are thick, creamy, and the perfect way to round out the meal. Their frozen custard-based shakes are richer and smoother than typical milkshakes, making them a great dessert option even if you’re just grabbing one to-go.

Atmosphere and Service Shake Shack’s Toronto location has a bright, modern feel with lots of seating, but it does get crowded during peak hours. Service is quick, friendly, and efficient, especially given the high demand since its opening. Staff are helpful, and the overall vibe feels like a lively yet laid-back fast-casual spot.

Pricing and Value While Shake Shack’s prices may sit a bit higher than other fast-food chains, the quality you get in return is worth it. You’re paying for a consistent, flavorful burger experience with quality ingredients and attention to detail that elevates it above typical fast food.

Final Verdict Shake Shack’s Toronto location is a win for burger lovers. With its combination of quality ingredients, consistent flavor, and a variety of options, it’s a place you’ll want to visit again and again. Whether you’re a Shake Shack devotee or trying it for the first time, it’s hard to go wrong with a ShackBurger, fries,...