Shake Shack Chicago Athletic Association

The burgers are undercooked and the fries are overcooked. This was an extremely disappointing experience considering I did not eat lunch and could not eat the food I paid for. I don’t eat raw meat and do not expect to bite into a burger and see pink in the middle. I intentionally walked beyond my stop to grab an online order before getting on the train to go home. This is my second time with this issue at this location (the first time was in the summer of 2025), but it is not my experience at other Shake Shack locations. Save your time and money and eat elsewhere on Michigan Ave.

Shake Shack Chicago Athletic Association is one of coolest Shake Shack locations. Historic building, beautiful interior, and classic Shake Shack taste. Burger is juicy, fries crispy, and shake is always dangerous sweet. 観光ついでに最高。It’s fast food but feels little special here. Sitting inside this building eating burger makes Chicago trip more fun.

My dining experience at Shake Shack on 12 N. Michigan Ave was absolutely wonderful. The food was fresh, flavorful, and served quickly, but what truly elevated the visit was the outstanding service in the dining area. Zara was extraordinary—she cared for every guest with genuine warmth, attentiveness, and a welcoming smile that lit up the entire space. Her energy was uplifting, her timing impeccable, and her kindness unforgettable. She turned a simple meal into a memorable experience. Shake Shack is lucky to have someone as exceptional as Zara representing their team.

What a location!! The contrast between the gorgeous historic foyer and the fast food workers behind the glass in the industrial kitchen is just something.

Tucked away near The Bean, Shake Shack was a convenient stop for a burger and a shake. The food overall was decent—not earth-shattering, but it hit the spot. The standout for me? The bacon cheese fries. They were really good and definitely the highlight of the meal. I’d give the place a solid three stars. The staff was very friendly, and while the space was small, it had a comfy, casual vibe. Nothing spectacular, but a reliable spot for a quick bite.

Right across the street from millennium park. Plenty to do in the area. The food was great, the milk shakes were cold and refreshing after a hot day out. The place was very busy so be ready to have a bit of a wait, nothing too bad. The burgers were well balanced, didn’t leave us feeling crazy full, so if you’re extra hungry, order two. Bussin!

This Shake Shack in the Chicago Athletic Assoc offers all accessible kiosk order or order by app. I chose Seasonal S'Mores Shake with a flat top dog lettuce wrap and I passed on the dados like crispy onions, the place is jammed even at almost 2 pm but the order line moves quickly. As dine in today, I also grabbed some complimentary water and my own ketchup and mustard. No back ground music needed here this place is jammed and the patrons are buzzing with conversation which is amazing because I was too busy eating to talk. Great selection of burgers, chicken, chicken bites but I love a flat top Hot dog grilled to a sizzled crispy top Accessible entry with heavy door. Accessible venue with accessible order kiosk And pick up counter. Many tables are accessible with some booths and high top seating. Menus are posted on wall with white background and dark letters. Accessible mens and women's restrooms on floor with large elevator access. Restrooms have stalls all have 2 grab bars with 2ftx 3ft space .

had a quick dinner here before sending my family off. food was perfect, our server terry was so attentive and hospitable. never thought a quick meal at shake shack would become a highlight of the trip for my family!

Let me tell you something! I enjoyed every bite of my burger and every drop of my milkshake, lol. I stopped in while in town. This location is inside of a building, but it is easily accessible. We we went in, we place our order on a machine. The process was super easy. You can use this option if you are using a card or tapping. Then you grab a table number and head to the table or the condiment station. The ambiance is very casual. You could go alone, with a group (like I did), and/or even work. It's very spacious and the noise level is low. I ordered a double bacon cheeseburger. It was delicious. The patties are just the right size and the bacon added so much flavor. The bun was slightly toasted and buttered. I haven't had a burger that good in a while. I added a cookies and cream milkshake to go along with the order. It was so good.

I placed a to go order and my food was ready very promptly! The location was about a 12 min walk from my hotel so I took my food back. It was delicious! No complaints. We don't have a shake shack where I live so this is always a treat. The burger was good and fresh, the fries were good and the chicken bites were delicious as well. Great meal. I would return!

Food was pretty average, as expected. I ordered the portobello mushroom burger, spicy cheesy fries, and the Oreo funnel shake. The fries were alright, but soggy. I asked for the cheese on the side, but it was put on the fries which made them soggy. The burger was okay. It was bland and smaller than I expected. The only redeeming quality of the order was the new Oreo funnel cake shake which was quite good. It had funnel cake pieces and Oreo in it and wasn't overly sweet. The service was as expected, the food was ready in about 15 minutes. The ambiance is what you expect from a fast food place like shake shack. Overall, it's what you would think of any fast food place!

I've wanted to try Shake Shack for what seems like forever. I finally got the opportunity during a trip to Chicago. I thought the atmosphere was very nice and seemed upscale for fast food. I ordered the Double Smoke Shack Burger ($11), with Crinkle Fries ($4), a large Concord Grape Punch ($5), and a Chocolate Shake ($6). Overall a little pricey, but I was expecting it. The burger was delicious. It practically melted in my mouth. I now understand the hype for these burgers. The fries were good, but also forgettable. The Punch was amazing, so good. The Shake was disappointing to me. I didn't really enjoy it. It was a little too rich. However I'm not a huge fan of Custard Ice cream so that could be it too. The service was good, a little chaotic, but they did a good job when really busy. Overall I would give 4 1/2 stars. Since I have to round it'll be a 4 star. Would I return? Absolutely. If they ever make it to Grand Rapids it'll be my #1 fast food burger place. Just not my Shake place.

I was impressed with the fast service at this location. We ordered the shroom burgers, spicy cheese fries, and the new Oreo funnel shake. The shake was insanely delicious. You can taste the funnel cake pieces and Oreo bits, and it's such a creative combination with the chocolate. The burger tasted good, but I wish wasn't so small. I liked how it has tomatoes, and the burger was crispy and crunchy. This Shake Shack location is actually in the same building as the famous rooftop, so the ambiance was beautiful and lively. The fries had a nice kick to them. They were crispy on the outside and soft in the inside. Our order had one mistake - the cheese was put on top of the fries, although we ordered it on the side. Overall, we had a pleasant experience with this Shake Shack, and I would consider going back.

This place is really nice high open atmosphere, clean fresh, nice location, Oakbrook area. The menu is little pricey. That's to be expected for the location. Good quality of food that you get. I've been twice with friends & family. I'll agree that the food quality is good, the taste, really nice.

If you are looking for a McDonald's type expérience in a burger without actually going into a McDonald's, this might be your spot. It's true that they offer truffle sauce, and it's actually pretty good, but the rest of my experience was sub-par. I'm disappointed because the shack is in a swanky hotel, and I admit that I had high hopes of something better. Well, that's okay. Not all places can be 5 stars, right? That's why we Yelp about it. You might still like it. It's entirely possible that I just ordered the wrong thing... Come in and decide for yourselves. You may love it. I did not.

We stopped by here for a quick bite after running some errands nearby. I appreciate the self service kiosk. It makes everything so much quicker since we already knew what we wanted to order. It's nice and clean and the service was pretty quick. I love the stack shack, with cheese fries, and the blood orange lemonade. The cheese ooze is my favorite part about this burger.

It is open late till 930 so it is one of the few options to get late dinner. The chicken Pattie's of the chicken shake is crispy outside, a little bit dry inside. The pickle, the potato bun and the sauce is great. Service is convenient. Desktop type-kiosks are available to place orders. Tipping is an option at this chain.

Delicious and juicy burgers. The shacks are amazing and thick. Had it delivered via DoorDash and it was quick.

Shake Shack is the best chain burger place in North America! The freshness of the patty with the brioche tasting bun with their sauce is perfection. My wife who doesn't eat a lot of meat or burgers was blown away. This location is in a really unique building which offers great ambiance. I wish Shake Shack expands to Canada because we drove all the way from Toronto and the this place was top on my list of eats. Will probably have a few more burgers and shakes before we leave. Oh ya, the shakes?!?! Amazing too!

Shake shack is probably my favorite restaurant ever the burgers and milkshakes are really good and it's always tasty. The service can be slow at Times but they are always nice so I say it's worth the wait. The inside is really cool it's like a modern mixed with vintage type look it's awesome.

The cheeseburgers were a bit dry this time (the other time I came it hit the spot!) so seems like the quality may be a bit inconsistent. Their cheese fries always taste great. Lots of events happen in the building so can get really packed. Servers are really friendly.

Yummmmmmm! So so so good. I got the avocado, bacon cheeseburger with a side of fries and strawberry lemonade! I'm from California and can confirm this is WAY better!

We took our young great niece and nephew downtown for the afternoon and thought Shake Shack would be a good option for a early dinner. It is located on Michigan avenue with close proximity to Millennium Park. There was a line , but it moved quickly and we were fortunate to secure a table inside. The dining room is small, but has the historic charm. We ordered burgers m shakes and fries. The single burgers were a bit smaller than I remembered, but still very good. The fries were fresh and topped with cheese. We had a variety of shakes and they all were creamy and rich. They bring your food to your table, which is nice and avoids the lines around the counter. Overall, a good experince.

Simplicity is key with a Shake Shack burger. For me, I don't want a huge beef patty. Too heavy. I just want a simple burger done right. Shake Shack is good for that-and for a decent price. A unique feature about this burger, is that they'll prepare it the way you want. They tend to cook med-well. Just ask. Rare maybe difficult because of some health reasons(?!?). If you're like me, ask for well-done. I always ask for fries with no salt. They'll make batch-Hot! The toppings are constantly fresh. Tables are kept clean. They run a tight operation at the Chicago Athletic Association. It's a beautiful location.

Pretty much what you expect from a shake shack, I got a double smoke stack which was hot and juicy! Service was alright, it super busy when I went so I'll give them a pass. Fries were barely warm but my burger was were good. Getting into this location is a little weird since it is inside of another building. But all and all good experience.

Ugh, yeah., 5 stars. I came here after fasting for 10 hours and maybe it was the hunger, but oof my burger looked straight out of an advertisement and it hit the spot

Excellent Food & Ambience. Comfortable setting to have lunch & chat. Great burgers & chicken. Shakes are phenomenal. French fry options.

Have always enjoyed the Shake Shack when I have visited NYC, and it's nice to see that Shake Shack has gone nation wide. Glad to have had their food as a nice break from the conference food. Food was fresh and flavorful, and enjoyed by the colleagues I was with. Would recommend.

We stopped in on the way back to Union Station after visiting Millennium Park to see the Christmas Tree. This was on the way back to the station, one of the few places open because we were visiting on the holiday (New Years Day). We wanted a fast food restaurant but not of the McD level (a bit higher) with good fries and it seemed when we stepped in to look at the menu this checked all of those boxes. We also liked that it wasn't too packed when we came in and you could order at the kiosks. The ordering at the kiosks was simple and the interface seemed nicely done. We were ordering for six people but the order didn't take too long to come out. I ordered the Shake Stack (I think that was the name) and the others ordered a mix of some hot dogs, regular cheese burgers, and fries (both cheese and no cheese). Everyone liked the food and portions were very good. Tables were clean as was the floors and rest of the interior. We picked a table at the end of the restaurant across from the one exit only door where we could all fit. The location worked well until we realized that there was a powerful draft every time someone would open the door leading to a lot cold air blowing in, this was about the only thing we didn't like. In summary, if you are looking for a fast, affordable restaurant with good food (burgers, fries, and shakes) then we would recommend here.

A mighty fine Shake Shack located conveniently on S. Michigan Ave and situated adjacent to the ground floor lobby of the historic Chicago Athletic Association Hotel.  Being in a historic 1893 building, their dining space is smallish with low ceilings, but it was a nice quaint change of scenery for enjoying their quality mid-priced burgers.  As a caveat, if you're here at a peak time, I could see it getting a bit claustrophobic but that wasn't our issue as we enjoyed a late uncrowded 2pm lunch after visiting the Art Institute pretty much across the street.

If you're looking for a great way to throw away $30 and the trash isn't close enough - then come on down to Shake Shack! Long wait times, unhappy staff, undercooked fries, and overpriced burgers are just a few of the delightful things waiting for you at the Shack. In a city of delicious food this place doesn't stack up. Go anywhere else.

Ordered the food, system does not give you a receipt, waited 20 min, manager asked cook, she said it was in, but not done, 15 minutes later they say it is not in the system. WTF?

As my husband is obsessed with burgers, this was a must stop. We had never been to a Shake Shack so we were excited and they definitely didn't disappoint. We both got cheese burgers with the shake sauce and crinkle fries. They were fantastic. I usually am not one to rave about a burger but I loved it as much as my burger loving husband did. I heard someone recently call Shake Shake godteir for fast food, and I completely agree with them. The staff was quick, kind and actually remembered to remove the correct veggies (I don't like tomato and my hubby doesn't like any veggies). A lot of places get it wrong and it can be irritating, but even with a line they got it correct. The building they are located in is also beautiful, but it was slightly confusing finding the entrance.

Shake Shack is one of my favorite fast food burgers out there. The format is you order at the front registers, take a seat, and wait for your order number to be called out. While you wait, there's a counter with ketchup, hot sauce, and mustard packets, and tap for water, as well as a pop machine. I went with my son on a Sunday and the Shack Shack was not too busy. The homie ordered a double-cheese burger, bacon cheese fries, and a vanilla milk shake. I went with the Chick'n Shack, which is a deep fried chicken sandwich, topped with lettuce, pickles, buttermilk herb mayo. This time around, I opted-out of the herb mayo, but in the past, it's really good. For the health-conscious, they have caloric numbers next to each menu item. Our food came out in about five minutes or so, and they actually have a paging system, where you give them a number, and they text you once your order is ready. The person taking my order, and well as the one giving out the food were super nice. Overall, a good experience.

Fast food service done right!! Out and about downtown on Saturday night and couldn't find any restaurant reservations. Trusted shake-shack to the rescue. The burger, chicken sandwiches, and fries were delicious. Quick and good service. We were seated outside and enjoyed the good weather and food. Shake Shack never disappoints.

This location is right inside the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel and has its claim to fame as the ONLY SHAKE SHACK LOCATION THAT OFFERS ROOM SERVICE-"in the world!" Source: https://pointsmilesandmartinis.boardingarea.com/2019/10/shake-shack-room-service/ I really love the burgers and fried chicken sandwiches at Shake Shack-they always are consistent in how they prepare the food and which ever location you visit-the food is reliable and looks the same-I like how they put each entree into the little sack so you can eat it without getting your fingers greasy!

This is the worst run / coordinated restaurant experience I have had in a while. Long lines of hungry customer on one end and a pile up of burgers and fries on the other. The staff couldn't determine who's order was what while the chefs kept banging it out and adding to the pile. This should be so complicated. A horrendous customer service .... 45 mts of waiting & we still haven't got our food :-(

Burgers, chicken, fries and shakes were all great. We stayed at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel and got shakes one night and food the next. Everything was great and fast.

I had to try out the new Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich but it was average at best. I personally would have enjoyed a crispier fried chicken and a tangier white kimchi slaw. The overall flavor was more sweet than spicy and would have preferred an option to increase the spice levels. I also tried their new Gochujang Mayo but it also lacked flavor - reminded me of a watered-down yum yum sauce. However, I did mix it with some ketchup and enjoyed the new flavor creation so give the mix a try if you're open to it haha! Overall, it was worth trying this new limited time item but probably will stick to their classic burgers moving forward.

I didn't expect the burger to taste so good and was blown away. The hamburger tastes fresh and was seasoned so well. They meat was so tender and juicy. Each bite I took was another happy sensation and I wished it would never end. The cheese was so gooey and delicious and there was a sauce on the bun that complimented all of the seasoning so well. I don't know what their secret is but I do know I have found my new favorite cheeseburger. I normally don't like crinkle cut fries as it gives me flashbacks to the terrible public school lunches with undercooked and soggy French fries. Again, I was proven wrong. The fries were so crispy that I was able to enjoy a satisfying crunch with each bite. Next time I will have to try a milkshake. My stomach was too full from my burger inducing sense of nirvana that I had to lie down to appreciate the sweet happiness that i found. Shake Shack, you are my new best friend.

Great location for them, I must say they have some great locations and this is unique being where it is located. Lots of tourists and lots of great photo ops in the area around there as well of course. They could keep it a little bit cleaner overall and maybe having someone greet you. Really enjoy the food overall.

My daughter and I rode our bikes there and didn't have a place to park so I quickly ordered the food while she was watching our brand new bikes. I requested for someone to bring our order to the table and they said ok. I saw my buzzer light up so I was walking to get my tray when the guy at the counter handed my tray to the person picking the garbage and was wearing the big ugly glove that he was using his to shove the garbage in ...Yuck!!! I would have appreciated if they they informed at the counter that I had to pick my food . Left a bad taste!!

Very nice. This is a great place and open late. The staff is very helpful. I will give five stars.

The kiosks with Apple Pay didn't work so we had to re order at the front. The food was good but it took a while to come out. I was told to order a grilled cheese but I should have gotten a burger instead. You have to go inside the main building in order to get inside the restaurant.

My boyfriend and I tried this place one night while exploring the city. We wanted somewhere we could both eat for under $20 and this was the place! I think dinner was $18 and we both got the chicken sandwiches. (We came another occasion and got burgers). I definitely recommend the chicken!! It was amazing!! Fries were good too! We will definitely come back!

Went to Shake Shack on Michigan Ave, Chicago during the blues festival and it was a great snack during the festival! Burgers are a bit on the small side, but the burgers are cooked well. The cheese fries' cheese has a nice flavor that tastes different and has a smoother texture than what one may expect from cheese fries and a nice savory flavor. The Lemonade is more on the sour side rather than sweet, but is still very refreshing for a warm day. The service was unenthusiastic and made my group feel rushed and as if we made a great inconvenience despite ordering only a few items and moving relatively quickly. We knew what we wanted at the counter, but the staff seemed to be unhappy with the working conditions which may reflect more on Shake Shack than the staff. Understandable and no commentary on the staff as they did their best to bring food our quickly.

How come the Shake Shack in San Diego doesn't taste like this? This is what I expected Shake Shack to taste like when I first had it in their new SD location... instead my first impression was "yuck" overpriced fast food burgers with no taste, flat patty and flavorless...so I guess I wasn't expecting much when we decided to come her late night. Got the #1 burger- basic (lettuce, tomato, onions) with cheese. Ok- so this time around, it was good. I like their burger. Their meat was better than the first one I had in SD. It was nice and thick and juicy. I love the potato bun. Maybe it is an east coast thing and only get it somewhere close to the east coast...and not California.

Shake Shack has been on my to do list for a while since I've heard very good things about it. I've heard that it's essentially a better version than Five Guys and I will have to agree. The place is located at the entrance of the Chicago Athletic Association so it's a good location for lunch in the Loop. There is a decent amount of seating, but I can see it getting very crowded during peak lunch hours, but it wasn't very crowded at 11:30am on a Monday. Service was adequate and the cashier was very nice and cheerful! I ordered a Double Shack Burger, Cheese Fries, and Cookies & Cream Milk Shake for $20 because you know about that Bears game last night... So I was still eating my feelings obviously... I thought the burger blew Five Guys out of the water. Yes, you get a ton more food at Five Guys and Shake Shack is pricier, but the burger was soooo good. It was hot, juicy, fresh, and it literally melted in my mouth. The cheese fries were to die for! The cheese was very thick and rich. I don't typically like crinkle cut fries, but they were pretty crispy like Portillo's. Other reviews say there wasn't enough cheese, but I thought it was a generous amount. The shake was delicious too! It was almost as good as Portillo's Chocolate Cake Shake as you could taste the cookie chunks. Definitely tasted like Oreos! The best equivalents to Shake Shack are M Burger and Five Guys and I thought Shake Shack was the clear winner. If you think Shake Shack burgers are small, then you probably haven't been to M Burger where they are even smaller (probably slightly cheaper). Price was a little bit expensive, but that's because this is the Loop in the Chicago Athletic Association where everything is pretty expensive. Shake Shack was definitely pretty good and I will have to start going there more often!

Had to stop for a lunch break during our trek down Michigan Avenue. There are lots of places to eat, but the kid wanted burgers. Crowded with tourists, but we found seating.

Visited summer 2021 just as COVID restrictions were loosening. It's a Shake Shack and the food is the same as any other. The layout is a little cramped and confusing. It's genuinely difficult to tell who is waiting to order, who is waiting to pick up food, and who is just...standing around. Some better signage or direction from the staff would go a long way.

Shake Shack is always an amazing place. This is no exception. The location for this is a bit crazy. If feels like walking into a palace. Large marble columns and huge ceiling on the outside. This is a small burger joint in a large building. Very strange setup, but very nice looking. The seats were comfortable and the staff extremely friendly.

I always enjoy coming here! This is my go to when I'm craving a burger. I love the double shack burger. It's so juicy and delicious! Cheese fries are also one of my favorites! They are crinkle cut and always the perfect amount of crisp. Only downfall is the price, it's pretty expensive compared to other burger places. For a double, cheese fries, and drink it's ~$19. If you haven't tried this place yet, go ahead and treat yo self.

Damn good burger, good hotdog, delicious cheese fries and a decent chicken sandwich. The environment is pretty clean, the quality is as good as other locations. I imagine this location gets pretty busy on the weekends. If you can swing grabbing a drink at Cindy's and devouring a couple of Double Shacks, do it! The only con is that items are a bit pricey. The burger is no Au Cheval but really good, better than the burger at Portillos! That's a statement, because I love Portillos!

I don't eat meat burgers, but my husband loves this place, so I had to find something for myself on their menu. Their Shroom Burger with mushrooms is a great vegetarian option, and the truffle fries are delicious as well. The location is inside a beautiful historical landmark building which is a pure joy to behold and is worth a visit in and of itself.

Game of Thrones shake with Dragon Glass heck yeah!!!. It's minty, thick and amazing!! I've had the food here before and my son especially is a fan. Yes the fries are good too.

I came downtown to support Kilwin's for ice cream but I can't have just that for dinner (well I CAN, but you know..) so as a treat I got a burger. The place had outdoor and indoor seating, and was taking precautions for the pandemic, but we were doing takeout. It took a while for 2 burgers and 1 fry, but I realize they receive online orders as well as in person. I ordered the Shackburger with cheese, pickles and Shacksauce but didn't detect EITHER. It wasn't expensive so it was smallish (bigger than McD but still) but it was a decent burger, and the crinkle fries were awesome, esp if you put them in the oven first, instead of melting them in the microwave. When I run out of ice cream I'll try the actual shakes!

Get their fries! There was a long line, but I knew what I wanted to order. I got the shack burger with everything on it, the crinkle cut fries, and an Oreo milkshake. At first I thought it was weird that the milkshake costed more than the burger, but later on understood why. The burger was juicy and I love their sauce. The crinkle cut fries are almost my favorite shape of fry. They were super crunchy but still soft on the side. Just how I like my fries. Now the milkshake was pretty big and it was SO thick. It was so much that I couldn't even finish it. I love me a good burger place. I can't wait until the Shake Shack opens up in my city.

I actually couldn't believe How good our food was. I had the chicken sandwich, and I've never had such a juicy piece of chicken before. My teenager had the burger, and again, she said it was the best burger she ever had. I def recommend!!!