Shake Shack Hot Dog Review | Coalition Eats

Today, we review Shake Shack’s Hot Dog. It’s our first assessment from Shake Shack.

Shake Shack is a well-known chain recognized for its hamburgers and milkshakes, but it actually started with hot dogs. Founded by Danny Meyer, Shake Shack began as a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park in New York City. It quickly attracted attention, leading to the establishment of a permanent kiosk in the park. During this time, the menu expanded beyond just hot dogs. Today, Shake Shack operates over 400 locations worldwide.

The Construction

For this particular hot dog review, I opted to keep it very simple. I ordered Shake Shack’s basic Hot Dog, and then added mustard on my own.

• Beef Hot Dog (default)
• Hot Dog Bun (Default)
• Yellow Mustard (Optional)
• Length: 7.0 inches
• Weight: 5.0 Ounces
• Location Purchased: Charlotte, NC
• Base Price: $4.49 9
• Items Purchased: 3 

Premium toppings are available, including caramelized onions, bacon, cherry peppers, and crispy onions. I chose to keep it simple. I was served a hot dog with the option to add mustard myself.

The Appearance (*)

This is a new section we have recently introduced. This will be included (where we can) in Coalition Eats reviews. It is not part of the scoring, but this section compares the actual product with how it was advertised. Since I added the mustard after, I was able to look at how this stacked up against the staged picture.

In an era where I see a lot of actual products fall way short of the staged picture, this one was not bad. The big difference is that the split in the hot dog (that we will talk about) is not really evident.

Comparison Rating: Fair

The Experience

Given that this was a simple hot dog with only mustard, the scoring algorithm was modified from the one we use for hot dogs with toppings. In our review of the Shake Shack Hot Dog, the hot dog receives a maximum of 5 points (instead of 4), while the condiment (mustard) receives 1 point (instead of 2).

• Meat (Hot Dog): 5 points
• Bun: 2 points
• Condiments: 1 point
• Intangibles: 2 points

Meat (Hot Dog)

This was a really good hot dog. There are two things it had going for it. First up, it’s Vienna Beef (the brand). Vienna Beef hot dogs are all-beef and among the best on the market. Second, splitting it down the middle and flat-top grilling lead to a more charred exterior and a better snap on the hot dog. At the same time, there was a nice juiciness to this hot dog. Flavor-wise, there were some nice smoky flavors here with just the right amount of saltiness.

Score: 4.5 out of 5.0 points

Bun

Shake Shack receives high marks for its hot dog bun, which is a non-GMO (non-genetically modified organism) potato bun. This bun is toasted to perfection, with just the right amount of toasting on the inside. It features a nice split top crust, while the interior is soft and pillowy. Most importantly, the bun is very tasty, and the potato used in its making adds a subtle sweetness.

Score: 1.50 out of 2.00 points

Condiments

The only condiment used on this hot dog was mustard. The Shake Shack I went to offered French’s mustard packs, allowing me to put the mustard on the hot dog myself. I opted to put the mustard inside the split. French’s is a pretty average yellow mustard on the milder side, with a decent vinegar component. It’s not the best mustard I’ve had, but it does the job.

Score: 0.50 out of 1.00 points

Intangibles

In terms of the overall experience, the one thing I look at is whether it exceeds the sum of its parts. The key combination here is the split hot dog and the potato bun – both work quite well together. The mustard helps here, too, with its twang offsetting the smokiness of the hot dog. In the end, it’s not a huge elevation, but it’s still an elevated experience. Putting the mustard inside the split dog and controlling your own proportions is key. It also mitigates any messiness.

Score: 1.25 out of 2.00 points

OVERALL EXPERIENCE

Sometimes, simpler can be better. In my review of The Big Glizzy by Sheetz, I mentioned that when you start with a good hot dog, everything else tends to come together nicely. Shake Shack’s Vienna Beef Hot Dog, which is split and grilled, definitely meets this standard. Shake Shack adds a very good toasted bun, and that makes the foundation stronger. I can see why Shake Shack was able to build its empire starting with its hot dogs, because this one is very good. This might be the best hot dog offered by a chain. While I am curious to see how Shake Shack performs with its more-topped hot dogs, this is a hot dog offering I will return to repeatedly.

Summary

Score: 7.75 (out of 10 points)
Value: Above Average

Photo Credits: Cigar Coop, except where noted