William W.
Yelp
I remember that summer day in 2005 when I followed the long line in New York's Madison Square Park, not knowing what to expect at the other end. What was all this buzz about? Within that modest kiosk at the end of the wait would be one of the better hamburgers I've eaten!
That was the original Shake Shack. Having visited all but two in Manhattan now, and one in Atlanta, and another in Seoul, South Korea, I made another discovery along the way. The chicken sandwich that debuted in 2016 is even better than the burger!
My wife's family who lives in Brooklyn calls my preference for chicken at this burger mecca absolute blasphemy. But I know what I like, I've eaten food in 79 different nations, and it's the best chicken sandwich I've ever had. End of story. The launch of this new item was being touted on a large sign when we visited the Theater District Shake Shack in Manhattan one night in 2016. The picture of an extra crispy slab of deep fried chicken, with sauce dripping over the soft bun and pickles, distracted me from what would have been my typical burger order. So I tried it and fell in love.
Now that you understand my lofty expectations, fast forward to 2020. I still hadn't been to the Shake Shack in Green Hills, deterred by long lines in the beginning. It was so close to home that I could patiently wait out the flurry of activity and catch them on an eventual off day. Needing to get back to normal after an extensive quarantine, with unseasonably moderate June weather in Tennessee and errands to run in Hill Center, I hatched a plan to swing by Shake Shack, order my favorite Chick'n Shack sandwich, and eat it on one of the many outdoor benches along the street.
The lettuce was crisp, the pickles were fresh, and that buttermilk herb mayo really balances the flavors, literally the ONLY mayonnaise in the world that I'll dare to eat. But the chicken batter wasn't perfect. It wasn't nearly as crispy as I've had from this franchise. I don't know what factors allow the New York locations to make the planet's most perfect 5-star chicken sandwich, a feat duplicated in Georgia while the Nashville branch can only produce a 4-star sandwich. Nashville is known for its crispy fried chicken, and restaurants all over town are able to produce such a masterpiece. Unfortunately, this chain isn't there (yet). But they sure make good food! If they can tap into the quality that's produced in New York, they can change this rating to five stars.