American Brunch at Shake Shack

16th February 2024

Every time I visit Tung Chung, I can't help but notice this hip American business serving burgers, shakes, and fries, but I never have an opportunity to eat there because it's usually packed. If not Chinese people, foreign and young diners make up the majority of the patrons. I am sometimes hesitant to fit in with them, especially if I come solo. The place has an outdoor dining area too, but seats have never been empty and they are always occupied shortly after they have been vacated.

I had the courage to come in here by myself last Sunday when seeking a spot to eat lunch, as I was so excited to try their shakes and burgers. I decided to try it, as I had also noticed Filipinos inside. Unexpectedly, there are Filipino staff in this food chain. I liked the interior and the vibe. There are arched dining booths, ideal for couples and parties of four, on either side of the center tables. Those could even be a charming location for a Valentine's Day date.

Shake Shack proved its claim as a fast food chain. Orders can be placed through electronic screens, apart from having a counter with fast and accommodating staff, and the waiting for orders doesn't take forever despite having a lot of customers, unlike in other so-called fast food chains. I believe it depends on the system and how the staff handles customers efficiently.

They have a wide selection of burgers, fries, drinks, desserts, and other snacks. The most popular here, are, of course, the burgers, fries, and shakes. It took me a while to choose my order because I'm not really into burgers and shakes, only occasionally. That moment was just a try to check if the food was truly good since the place was always full of diners. It is sometimes my basis for knowing if foods in a certain dining place are good or not. People won't patronize such a place if the food isn't good, anyway.

This is a self-service fast food restaurant, so diners are responsible for picking up their orders; condiments are on the side for them to get on their own; and cleaning tables after eating can be done by them. I guess it's a better way, so the next customers can immediately occupy the vacated tables.

I chose to order Chicken Shack. It's a burger consisting of fried chicken breast, which can be changed to thigh. It's topped with pickles, lettuce, and buttermilk herb mayo. As for the drink, I chose a shake since it's the main drink, even though there are alternative drinks such as hot tea, HK bubble tea, soda, lemonade, and even beer. There are different flavors for the shake, including vanilla, caramel, strawberry, black & white, and coffee. I tried the coffee flavor since I had never tried a coffee shake before, and I added some amount to top it with whipped cream.

My order cost me HK$93, or around US$12. Was it worth it? Yes, it was. The burger may look simple, but I liked the taste. It is better compared to the chicken burger at McDonald's that I tried the other day. The chicken patty was fried well; it's crispy and tasty. The coffee shake was delicious, especially when the whipped cream was mixed into it, and I drank it to the bottom. The next time I visit the place, I will definitely order a bigger size of it.

So it was a delicious brunch, and my stomach was satisfied. I recommend Shake Shack to American food lovers. This shop also gets positive reviews online, so I gave it a try.

Thanks for your time.