Shake Shack Chicago Location Opens Next Week

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Oct 27, 2014 7:45PM

The wait for fans of Shake Shack is almost over. After nearly two years of speculation and buildout, New York-based restaurateur Danny Meyer’s burger and shake empire will open in River North 11 a.m. Nov. 4. The Tribune’s Kevin Pang first reported the news.

Fans and skeptics of Shake Shack have been equally vocal about whether the chain will make an impact in a city with no shortage of good burger and hot dog joints. A week away from its opening, Shake Shack is primed to capitalize on a void left behind by the closing of Hot Doug’s earlier this month. Like with Hot Doug’s, Shake Shack emphasizes an “ingredient-driven” philosophy and has made inroads to ingratiate itself to the skeptics. The wieners they’ll serve will be provided by Vienna Beef. Shakes will include frozen custards made from Bang Bang Pie Shop's S'mores pies and Glazed and Infused's salted caramel doughnuts. And they’ll be serving local craft beers and wine.

Shake Shack will be housed at 66 E. Ohio, the former site of a Harley-Davidson gift shop. Another Shake Shack is planned for the first floor of the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel at Michigan Avenue and Madison Street, which is currently being upgraded into a 241-room boutique hotel.