Shake Shack West Hartford — Restaurant in West Hartford

UPDATE: It had been about a month since my first visit and all of these issues remain. I used the mobile app this time and it told me the soonest pickup was 45 minutes from when I would put in the order. Despite that, I still waited at the location another few minutes before receiving a notification that it was ready. Then waited another 5 minutes with the gaggle of people at the pickup counter blocking the thoroughfare to the ketchup and utensil station. Fries still lukewarm. Unbelievably, they were still only staffing one register with a huge line. I can only suspect there must be significant management issues or it costs more to train and pay cashiers than cooks and cleaners. Yikes, Shake Shack needs to get its act together. These aren't franchises, it's direct hiring and contract by their central brand. They are harming that brand here. Came within a week of it opening in the evening dinner hours of around 7pm on a weekday. Line was out the door, as I expected given the hype about its opening. The space inside is nice, with many tables and an outdoor patio area. Open kitchen looked clean. Unfortunately, they were still working out some pretty large kinks in their training and service. Only two people were working registers even though they had three available (and they should consider more), so the line was going slower than it had to. At the same time, other employees were patrolling the floor cleaning up, including offering to bus customers' finished trays for them. This is nice, but not necessary in comparison to ensuring quick flow of customers through the line. Many employees appeared confused about basics. E.g., I ordered a draft beer and she asked if I wanted my order to go... They use light-up, vibrating signalers to alert you when your order is ready. When mine went off, my food was not ready yet and I joined a large gaggle of people blocking the area near the pick-up counter. My burger was incorrect (receipt said Double, received a single) and the food was a bit luke warm. Still tasted quite good and I think once they work out some of these issues it will be good. Burger has a nice crispy caramelization on it, the sauces are generous and tasty. Potato buns are fluffy but do not mask the burger flavors. Fries are crinkle style and nice and crisp but tender on the inside. Beer was fine, basic light ale. The line never subsided while we dined, and at one point only one register was staffed. Final gripe: prices are quite high for a counter-serve burger joint. Max Burger in West Hartford is competitive price-wise and has sit-down service and a larger selection. Still, I think Shake Shack is a good addition to the area and with service improvements...

yeah. no. i live in mass so i wasn't aware of any "hype" about this place. tried it out with my mother today for my birthday and we were quite excited about it - excitement turned into sheer irritation expeditiously. the ordering system or lack thereof is really silly. if it's your first time, quite irritating. no one will care if you are confused. only wanted the avocado bacon burger but they don't sell it anymore. so why tf is it still in the menu. drink wise, only wanted the tiramisu shake. sold out. a sign of some sort showing what has been sold out would be ideal AND considerate. there's room for it. settled on strawberry that tasted very much like mcdonalds' - i would have preferred? my mother and i waited for 20+ minutes for food that is essentially already prepared. and hella underwhelming. the fries were definitely out of bag in a freezer and looked like they were from a child's play kitchen. burgers were shrunken versions of what they shoulda been. customers can also see right into the kitchen. which was a mess. debris all over the floor. the workers just looked homely. probably mostly due to their young ages, i guess. manager was decent/nice enough in the sense that he refunded back my half of the order (he should have comped the whole thing but i wasn't efficient enough and held back my tongue which i regretted immediately after leaving), as my mom said she would eat hers. bless her heart. we were both turned off. not sure why anyone would pay 44 bucks for two lackluster meals in every sense of the word in a glorified fast food establishment...and return. it's easy enough to understand the types to like/frequent the place tho. the bathroom smelled like a barn for some reason. i can keep going but.... anyway. the two stars is for the sweet, tall black girl who was expediting and brought out our food to us. definitely registered my irritation/disappointment and surely wanted to do more but it was beyond her. i hope you see this and can feel good that i wanted to tip you for seeing me and being sympathetic but i simply didn't trust myself to do or say much more at the time. all in all, it is NOT worth it. we were better off eating leftovers at...

Shake Shack has quickly become one of my favorite fast-casual dining options. From the moment you step into their restaurants, the friendly and welcoming atmosphere immediately draws you in. The clean, modern decor and upbeat music set the stage for an enjoyable dining experience.

One of the things that sets Shake Shack apart from other fast-food chains is their commitment to using high-quality, all-natural ingredients. From the 100% Angus beef used in their burgers to the cage-free eggs in their breakfast sandwiches, you can feel good about what you're putting into your body. They also offer vegetarian and gluten-free options, making it a great choice for a variety of dietary needs.

The star of the menu, in my opinion, is the ShackBurger. The juicy patty, topped with melted cheese, lettuce, tomato, and their special ShackSauce, is absolutely delicious. The potato buns are lightly toasted, adding the perfect amount of crunch to each bite. And if you're feeling extra hungry, you can upgrade to a double or triple patty.

The crinkle-cut fries are a must-try, too. They're crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with just the right amount of salt. And if you're a fan of milkshakes, you won't be disappointed with Shake Shack's selection. They offer classic flavors like chocolate and vanilla, as well as unique options like salted caramel and strawberry.

But it's not just the food that makes Shake Shack a standout. The customer service is exceptional. The staff members are always friendly and attentive, making you feel like a valued customer. And the ordering process is easy and efficient, with options to order at the counter or through their mobile app.

Overall, Shake Shack is a fantastic fast-casual restaurant that offers high-quality food, excellent customer service, and a welcoming atmosphere. I highly recommend giving them a try - you won't be...