Shake Shack Uptown Plaza - Camelback & Central — Restaurant in Phoenix

—- Update —- Food still yummy. Service from poor to gave-up-trying. Some automation helps (kiosks), but still have to have people can do what the computer tells them.

Walked in to a mostly empty restaurant and the crew gathered near the counter socializing loudly. No one actually looked up at us (nevermind greeted us (is that a thing anymore?) so figured kiosk would be the way to go. Easy-peasy process. Gave both a cell (to get text notification and entered the table # as instructed - assuming they’d run food out). Pre-tipped 15% at the kiosk’s suggestion. Paid. Got the text confirming my #. All good.

Waited… and waited.

Noticed the folks that came in after us got their togo order called, but figured maybe eat-in takes longer.

Waited…

After about 10 min, my daughter wanted to us the restroom, so I walked her up there. Passing the counter, I saw what looked like our order. After taking her back to the table came back up. Still no one at the counter, I checked myself, and sure enough, it’s our ticket. So we grabbed it and sat down.

It seems it was sitting there for a while as the fries on top were cold.

Did I miss the text? Check… nope. Did I forget the table # sign or enter the wrong one? Nope. Sign there and matches the ticket. Guess someone just couldn’t figure out how to push that button and no other staff could be bothered to wonder why the order was sitting there.

Disappointing. I wanna be OK with tipping everywhere and doing it upfront, but it seems like it just breeds entitlement and lowers the bar.

There’s still a few restaurants out there that can do basic service well, but they seem to be getting fewer and farther between.

Too bad about this place. Food is quite good - but not worth the sour taste of pre-tipping and then getting no service.

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Fabulously greasy burgers, fries, shakes served by sullen, discourteous, but competent staff.

Everything is wonderfully greasy (tastes like the most delicious early grave). Everything glistens w/liquid joy (fat) - burgers, fries, trays, wrappers, napkins, people’s hands/clothes… mmmm….

More expensive than Smash, etc, but definitely as good or better.

Only downer is staff. Service was accurate and not slow - but interactions were definitely unwelcoming. Cashier was impatient and focused squarely on pushing folks faster (oddly, with no line) - but of course she remembered to prompt you to fill in a tip. Picking up from the window, sullen teen proceeded to gruffly tell me to “put it in there” when i tried to hand her the pager (definitely the what’s-wrong-w-you-don’t-you-where-that-goes? look and tone. Probably a sign of the times.

Overall, it was a bad overall experience for the $, but a good food experience for sure. So many strong burger options nearby, I don’t see myself returning - especially as the downturn starts sorting the wheat from the chaff in the...

This was my first time at a Shake Shack. I got a burger, fries, iced tea, and chocolate shake. Simple, right? Apparently not.

The bacon was extremely undercooked, almost raw.

The burger's bun was cold to the touch, as if it was just grabbed from the fridge.

The fries were heavily oversalted and wildly inconsistent. Half were burnt with no potato in them, and the other half were undercooked and not stiff.

Both the fries and burger were warm when I got them. Not hot. I suspect the fries were left out for too long after coming out of the frier, and the burger's bun and other ingredients coming straight from the fridge onto the tray had cooled off the patty too quickly.

The chocolate shake was pretty good, but then again it's hard to mess that up. I found the extra 50¢ charge for whipped cream pretty funny.

The iced tea had way too much ice and didn't come with any refills. For $3.69, that's unbelievably ridiculous. You could go to a restaurant, get a fresh brewed iced tea for the same price, and get infinite refills with lemon/lemonade/sweetener to mix in it...

You come in and are supposed to order off a tablet, and are expected to tip 10-15% automatically before you get the food. So, my order isn't being taken for me, and I don't get my drink refilled, but they still want a tip? Okay fine. I suppose a 10% tip isn't a big deal, assuming the food was at least brought to my table and cleaned up after I left, right? Well, apparently that's also too much to ask for!!

Even though I grabbed a table number card, my name was instead called out and I had to get up to go get my food. It came on a tray, which means I was expected to clean up after myself too, after I saw the trays piled up above the trashcan.

Normally that wouldn't be a big deal, if I wasn't asked to leave a damn tip before I got my food. What the ** am I tipping these people for? To do their job and make the food? They didn't even do that right...

Side note, at least a quarter of the menu was out of stock. When your entire menu consists of burgers, fries, and shakes, how does that happen??

All in all, a horrible experience. The ONLY positives were that the restrooms and seating area were clean, and that the shake was good. That's it. I don't think I ever want to go to a Shake Shack ever again. I could've went to the Dairy Queen or Applebee's across the street and got better cooked food or a full complete sit down service and still left with less money spent, even...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Shake Shack and I must say, the experience was elevated by the outstanding service provided by Dennis and his team. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with warm smiles and an inviting atmosphere that made me feel right at home.

Dennis stood out not just for his efficiency but for his genuine enthusiasm for the job. He took the time to explain the menu, offering recommendations that showcased the best of what Shake Shack has to offer. His passion for the food was contagious, and I found myself excited to try his suggestions.

What truly impressed me was Dennis's attention to detail. He ensured my order was accurate and even double-checked my preferences, which made me feel valued as a customer. It’s rare to encounter someone who goes above and beyond in such a busy environment, but Dennis made it seem effortless.

As I enjoyed my meal, I couldn’t help but notice how the staff worked seamlessly together, creating a positive and efficient dining experience. The team was not only friendly but also attentive, making sure every customer felt taken care of. It's clear that Dennis leads by example, engaging a spirit of teamwork and excellence.

Overall, my visit to Shake Shack was not just about the delicious food—though the burgers and shakes were fantastic, also about the incredible service. Dennis and his team truly made my day brighter, and I left feeling like a valued guest. I highly recommend this location if you're looking for not just a meal but a memorable experience. Keep up the great work, Dennis! You’re making a difference one...