Shake Shack Westfield UTC — Restaurant in San Diego

Born & Raised in In N Out Country, but ever since I had a plain hamburger I realized how plain their patties are and how kinda meh it can be. I moved onto more regularly eat the delicious burgers from Habit, but despite their app, don’t offer latenight. My 20’s also brought travel to the East coast where Shake Shack dominates.

Since both rival chains don’t co-mingle I first compared the two in Vegas where that was the only overlap in their kingdoms for a while. Forget driving to LA, I waited for them to come to me. UTC is a $#!* show at times and soon to charge for parking, so eff all that. That didn’t factor into this rating though.

Lines at lunch are busy, but the app now works for ordering as they’ve worked out all their opening kinks. Even with a sizeable line it moves quick dinner and lunch, few rushes should steer you away from her (maybe 20+ people). The menu is simple, pretty easy to read, but sadly a double shackburger, fries and a peanutbutter shake will run you $18+. I can justify the burger and the fries, but $5.29 for a shake and $5.99 for a special. The peanut butter shake was mediocre. Ice crystals in my shake and minimal peanut butter, minimal, very disappointing.

The burger is well made, more tender and flavorful patties and the bun, lettuce and tomato ratios are excellent. All their burgers are good, albeit overprices. The fries, perfectly cooked, not too crispy, not often soggy like Del Taco. The condiments are spot on with the mustard and ketchup, mayo, etc. For those who’ve never left California it’s a common condiment the mixing of ketchup and mayo. You can’t have regional chains come here and not bring the real, get over it.

It’s pretty clean, people church when it’s busy, 1 dude holding down a 4 person booth is kinda wack and doesn’t really happen that often. The bathroom could be bigger considering the volume of guests. In N Out may have the room for out of towners to post up, but eat and be gone is the preferred experience here since it’s in a mall.

Chicken Shack is glorified Chick Fil A, but it needs some seasoning to nuance the herb mayo (should not be on bottom people). Very good though, close to excellent. Shack-cago dog is a great representation of a true Chicago staple. Actually pretty filling as it’s got a ton of toppings, none of which are a build your own a la carte. Shack Attack frozen custard are a summer staple and way more filling that the other dairy desserts. House fudge and caramel. You can design your own concrete and custard, but they have some pretty good one’s already on the menu. When I get a float (rarely since it’s priced the same as the shakes) I always get the purple cow because also it’s fun to get untraveled locals ask, what it is. Grape soda baby, bring on the diabetes.

Boring beer and wine selection, overextended and not regionalized. Don’t get me wrong I love Brooklyn Beer, but this is San Diego.

Service is good, maybe not outstanding the way some rivals are.

Aside from excellent burgers I simply can’t find enough pros to rate this place super high. It’s worth the trip, but not regular visits. I may not love INO anymore, but this certainly doesn’t win...

So I've been here twice so far. First time was last Sunday, and second time 3 days ago. The staff here is overall friendly with the exception of one lady working the pick up counter. My first time, the young lady handing me my takeout order was very friendly. The second time I was here I found my bag laying on the counter and unmanned, I was ok picking it up and going but wanted to at least make sure it was my order. So I asked the girl standing there if it was for "Maria" and she says yes while giving me a rude glance before walking away.

Other than that the food is ok...nothing really stood out to me except the smokeshack. On our first visit we tried the smokeshack, a shack stack, the chicken bites, and fries with cheese sauce. Hubby and I both hated the shack stack, it was super heavy and the cheese inside the mushroom was just too much. I ended up liking his smokeshack while he said it was ok he wasn't as fond of the peppers, saying it didn't mesh well and made the burger too vinegary. Our 6 year old liked the chicken bites but got frustrated and stopped eating them after they kept falling apart on him. Both kids ate the fries but didn't care for how soft they were. They like their fries to have a little crunch.

Second time around we got 2 smokeshacks, a shackburger, and their famous chicken sandwich. The chicken sandwich was ok...the chicken itself was good but i hated the seasoning and mayo they had on it..it tasted like I was eating a falafel sandwich honestly. Also for the price and size it's over hyped.

Their shackburger was meh...it wasn't anything special. Nothing about it stood out to me.

If we end up going back it would most likely be for their smokeshacks as that was the only thing that stood out to me. And for the price it's not a place I see myself eating...

Shake Shack offers a quintessential American fast-food experience, elevated by quality ingredients and thoughtful preparation. From the moment you arrive, the vibrant and welcoming atmosphere sets the tone for a memorable meal. The menu, while centered on burgers, fries, and shakes, showcases a commitment to excellence that is evident in every bite.

The ShackBurger is a standout, featuring a juicy, flavorful patty cooked to perfection and topped with fresh lettuce, tomato, and ShackSauce. The buttery, toasted potato bun provides an ideal balance to the rich, savory fillings. For those seeking a bit more variety, the Chick’n Shack offers a crispy, tender chicken breast with a delightful crunch.

Shake Shack’s crinkle-cut fries are consistently crispy and golden, making them the perfect side to any meal. The shakes, another highlight, are creamy and indulgent, with flavors like classic vanilla, chocolate, and seasonal specialties that keep customers coming back for more.

The service at Shake Shack is efficient and friendly, contributing to a pleasant dining experience whether you’re eating in or taking out. The attention to detail in both food preparation and customer service sets Shake Shack apart from other fast-food chains.

For those seeking a high-quality, satisfying fast-food experience, Shake Shack delivers on all fronts. Its dedication to using fresh, quality ingredients and providing excellent service makes it a standout choice for burger enthusiasts and casual...