E86th Sunken Plaza To Be Home of New Shake Shack
A: Hat tip Curbed. I keep hearing all about this Shake Shack and their amazing burgers but I am yet to try one. Its not because of lack of effort. On three occasions my wife and I walked the dogs to the much better dog run over on 81st and CPW and tried to get into Shake Shack for a quick takeout; the Carl Schurz dog run just doesn't match up for dog owners on the east side! On all three tries, the lines were way way out the door and we gave up. Doh! So, the hype is high and the food better be good because it's coming only 2 blocks from my apartment and Digs likes to eat his burgers!
According to the NY Times, they signed a 15-year lease and I'm dying to know what rate and incentives they got to ink that deal in this very attractive market for commercial tenants:
"Shake Shack has signed a 15-year lease at 182 East 86th Street, which is between Lexington and Third Avenues at the base of the 440-unit apartment building with circular balconies known as Park Lane Tower. Neither the landlord nor the lessee would reveal the negotiated price. The company’s owners expect to open within the year in the 3,200-square-foot retail space, which is reached via the 2,750-square-foot sunken plaza.
Mr. Garutti said the Shake Shack intended to make the plaza a place for patrons to have picnics. They will be able to place orders at the Shake Shack stand. There will also be seating inside, he said. Though the plaza extends through to 85th Street, it will be open only on the 86th Street side."
It's funny because I always told my wife that this spot would be perfect for a Dairy Queen with an awning and picnic tables in the sunken space for outdoor dining...guess I wasn't too far off! For me, I got used to the burgers at these 3 restaurants in the Upper East Side:
1. The Lexington Candy Shop Luncheon - pricey and very tight seating booths, but this old school candy shop has all the stuff to make any adult think they are a kid again. Even egg creams done the real way! For the burger, get the bacon cheeseburger with fried onions - you know, the ones that remind you of White Castle's bite size burgers but in a high quality way!
2. Gracie Mews Diner - Yes, an above average diner in my opinion also has some underrated burgers! I think its the apple smoked bacon that makes it soooo good..even if delivered!
3. Burger Heaven - Been here a few times with colleagues of mine to discuss the state of the Manhattan markets and what they are seeing in their business. The bacon cheeseburger deluxe hit the spot, but is not my top choice when that itch hits!
What are your favorite burger joints around the city??
Posted by anon
Wed Jan 20th, 2010 01:00 PM
Favorite spots for burgers definitely do not include Jackson Hole - their "burgers" are really just meatloaf balls resting on a soggy bun.
Shake Shack will be very welcome in this hood.
Posted by Eastvillboy
Wed Jan 20th, 2010 02:04 PM
Best Unknown Burger:
Molly's Pub. 3rd Ave below 23rd.
Bring a knife and a friend to split with.
Heavenly.
Posted by Mobile noah
Wed Jan 20th, 2010 03:10 PM
Agree on Jackson hole, way too much burger, soggy bun, just overrated...
Looking forward to finally trying the shake shack though
Posted by anon
Wed Jan 20th, 2010 03:45 PM
I really like Big Nick's:
http://tinyurl.com/y9y5ldg
Posted by dss
Wed Jan 20th, 2010 07:59 PM
The last time I was at Shake Shack was about 2 years ago - no where near as good as they used to be and haven't been back since. Hope that it was just an off day for Noah's sake.
P.J. Clarks - never disappoints. J.G. Melons - also a great choice. Tried the little place that I dont' think has a name at the Parker Meridian and found no reason to go out of my way to go back.
Posted by eggcream?
Wed Jan 20th, 2010 08:01 PM
whats an eggcream?
Posted by Noah
Wed Jan 20th, 2010 08:47 PM
the way we used to make it when I was a kid was with U-Bet choc syrup, milk, and those old seltzer bottles my dad used to get delivered by this hippie dude every week. I remember the guy always had on tie dye grateful dead tshirts and looked like he just finished a reefer. not that there is anything wrong with that. You had to use the ubet stuff!
Anyway, the egg cream. Imagine a good sized water glass. We would fill it:
- 1/5th whole milk first
- Spoon some ubet choc syrup in
- 4/5th seltzer
and lightly stir it as you spray seltzer in so you have a nice foam at top.
We used to get the ubet glass jars, and it used to leak the stuff everywhere in the kitchen
Done, there is your original egg cream. At least in East Northport, LI in 1982
Looks like this:
http://www.brooklynpaper.com/assets/photos/30/26/30_26_peterpanbakery_z.jpg
Posted by OT
Wed Jan 20th, 2010 09:02 PM
I live a few blocks from the UWS shack and it is definitely nice to have it around. The lines are a lot less crazy now, probably a combination of the weather and the novelty wearing down. They still do very brisk business.
I am still loyal to the Corner Bistro, would put JG Melon's as number two, and PJ Clarke at three. I will say that I am warming to the shack burger and appreciate their focus on quality ingredients.
Surprised Melon's doesn't make the cut of you - you should be only about 12 blocks or so from it.
Posted by OT
Wed Jan 20th, 2010 09:03 PM
cut of you = cut for you
Posted by anonymous
Wed Jan 20th, 2010 09:05 PM
Best burger I ever tasted.
Never tried the UWS location.
Ordered these burgers while at CitiField (Mets)
and apparently Shake Shack supplies
the food that you order through the waiter.
I believe its only for the expensive seats. (We were right behind home plate.
Posted by Noah
Wed Jan 20th, 2010 09:13 PM
you know I must admit, I never had a JG Melon burger...had PJ Clarks steaks, but never a burger there. I also never had a Luger burger, always the porterhouse for two
I think its time to try some new burger joints!
Posted by Martha
Wed Jan 20th, 2010 10:04 PM
Five Guys is my fave.
Posted by Rich
Wed Jan 20th, 2010 10:37 PM
The Moriarity Burger at Baker Street on the corner of 1st & 63rd.
Mushrooms & melted mozerella. Mmmmm.
Posted by Louis
Wed Jan 20th, 2010 11:21 PM
I don't like restaurant hamburgers too much, but the Luger burger is out of this world.
Obviously Luger's isn't a neighborhood joint you can just pop in on any time, even if you live in south Williamsburg, and obviously if you're going to Luger's for dinner you're having the steak, but it's a nice treat to walk the Williamsburg Bridge and have a Luger burger and a beer for lunch. You also don't really need a reservation if you avoid the peak lunch hours.
Posted by RW
Thu Jan 21st, 2010 01:00 PM
What the hell is wrong with the realtors and neighborhood associations on the UES? We need a decent SUPERMARKET in the area! Not a greasy burger joint to feed our fat faces. I guess we have all resigned to the idea of the idea of East 86th street becoming a big, impersonal, godawful Stripmall. Especially the stretch from Lex & Second. Get used to more dirt, bugs, rats and noise.
Posted by Noah
Thu Jan 21st, 2010 01:27 PM
RW - totally agree on the better supermarket call! We need a Whole Foods or Fairway to compliment stores like Citarella/A&V...I dont get why whole foods is nowhere on the UES
Posted by RW
Thu Jan 21st, 2010 01:58 PM
Thank you, Noah! Actually the shakes & fries at Shake Shack are pretty great. The burgers are 'eh.' E. 86th street has two huge spaces between third & second avenues, let's hope a deal can be made with Whole Foods, or Trader Joes. Rumors have floated, let one of them be true. What does the UWS, which is getting EVERYTHING, have that we don't--or shouldn't I ask?
Posted by AnonBuyer
Thu Jan 21st, 2010 05:11 PM
5 guys.
Posted by Noah
Thu Jan 21st, 2010 06:04 PM
RW - right, circuit city and old barnes and noble were there. both spots are empty with B&N moving to flagship spot at Lucida commercial space.
Perfect for a whole foods..trader joes, ehh, get us a whole foods!
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Thu Feb 4th, 2010 11:53 PM
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Thu Feb 4th, 2010 11:54 PM
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Posted by coach handbags
Thu Aug 12th, 2010 09:43 PM
Mr. Garutti said the Shake Shack intended to make the plaza a place for patrons to have picnics. They will be able to place orders at the Shake Shack stand. There will also be seating inside, he said. Though the plaza extends through to 85th Street, it will be open only on the 86th Street side."