Shake Shack Makes Bay Area Debut

PALO ALTO, CA—Shake Shack’s first real estate was in the form of a hotdog cart in Madison Square Park in New York City, erected to support the Madison Square Park Conservancy’s first art installation. This humble hotdog cart was so popular that Shack fans lined up daily for three summers.

In 2004, a permanent kiosk opened in the park and Shake Shack was born. Restaurateur Danny Meyer spun off the first official Shake Shack from New York fine dining template Eleven Madison Park. Since then, the chain has expanded to more than 200 locations in 26 states (and 70 outposts internationally).

This modern-day roadside burger stand (think Gott’s of the East Coast) serves up burgers, hot dogs, frozen custard, shakes, beer, wine and of course, crinkle-cut fries. An instant neighborhood fixture, Shake Shack welcomed people from all over the city, country and world.

The Bay Area got its first taste of Shake Shack on December 15, opening day for the burger aficionado’s Palo Alto location at the Stanford Shopping Center, 180 El Camino Real, suite 950. The space was previously a Wells Fargo bank adjacent to PF Chang’s. The 2,491-square-foot restaurant features indoor seating of about 10 tables, some communal, and outdoor seating on a covered patio. CounterEv Furniture built the tabletops from old bowling alley lanes, chairs were created by designer Uhuru and booths were built from sustainable lumber by Staach.

In a setup that echoes the first New York City Shake Shack, it faces a small piece of parkland that Shake Shack will work with the city to activate, adding seating, string lights and games. As of now, it serves as overflow seating for Shack diners.

Reminiscent of that first Shake Shack kiosk, the line for the newest Bay Area spot snaked down the sidewalk, resulting in an estimated wait time of about 60 minutes just two weeks after the initial opening. Once inside, the order screens were unfamiliar to some, resulting in delays. And, the greeter on duty that day told GlobeSt.com that the app touting buy one ShackBurger get one free was so overwhelmed it had to be “turned off” to allow the kitchen keep up with demand. The greeter said the line length had not wavered since the initial opening day.

In addition to familiar favorites, there are new items developed specifically for the Bay Area market. Those offerings include a new burger homage to the Bay Area, the Golden State Double. Shake Shack culinary director Mark Rosati worked with Oakland, CA-based meat purveyor Cream Co. to source the masterpiece: two angus beef patties from Richards Grassfed Beef with white cheddar cheese and McVickers bread and butter pickles served on a Tartine Bakery sweet potato bun, according to Eater SF.

The Bay Area is also prominent on the beverage list with wine from Robert Sinskey Vineyards, Broc Cellars and BREA Wine Co., and beer from Fort Point and 21st Amendment, among others.

Other local creations include three custard staples: The MB Malt​ with vanilla custard, Manresa Bread whole wheat chocolate chip walnut cookies and fudge; the Shack Attack​​ with chocolate custard, fudge sauce, chocolate truffle cookie dough, Dandelion dark chocolate chunks and chocolate sprinkles; and the Pie Oh My, with vanilla custard and a slice of seasonal pie from Fremont bakery Pie Dreams.

Two more locations are on the way: another is bound for Marin Country Mart in Larkspur, CA, where a lease is being finalized, and a third is headed to San Francisco. As for the San Francisco location, real estate blog Socketsite reports that the former Real Food Company location in Cow Hollow at 3060 Fillmore St. at Filbert could be Shake Shack’s new home. Planning documents show developers want to convert the closed grocery store space to a combination “luxury fine casual restaurant and fitness studio.” The site’s developer previously confirmed he has been in talks with Shake Shack about opening there.

Seven of Shake Shack’s locations are in California. But until now, the brand has stayed out of the local Bay Area market, which includes similar chain Super Duper, Gott’s and In-N-Out.

The total retail inventory in San Francisco and on the Peninsula was 3.65 million square feet as of third quarter, according to John Cumbelich and Associates. There was 127,085 square feet of available space as of that quarter, equating to a 96.52% vacancy rate. In the South Bay, a 1.66 million-square-foot inventory only has 100,106 square feet of space or a 93.97% vacancy rate. Both of those vacancy rates indicate increases for the respective quarter.