Shake Shack Now Open in Rittenhouse

Story and Photo by Danya Henninger

As of today, it’s official: Philadelphia has its first Shake Shack. Open daily from 11 AM-11 PM, the outpost is the 15th location for the modern-day roadside stand by Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group, with other branches as far flung as Miami Beach and Dubai. The cult popularity of the burger-and-custard stop has led to lines that stretch around the block, something Meyer tells us is not his goal. “If your customers are an inconvenience to others in the neighborhood, that’s not a good thing,” he notes. This awareness of community is integral to Shake Shack’s outlook - the very first incarnation was set up to raise money for the Madison Square Park Art Conservancy, and the tradition continues in Philadelphia, where proceeds from some dessert sales will be donated to the Mural Arts Program.

Honorable as that is, it’s the food that brings people back, elevated takes on the most iconic American classics. You can choose from pre-set compilations or make your own custom creation - in fact, we got Meyer to drop his favorite: a double cheeseburger with a slice of raw onion between the patties. “It’s a thin slice of onion, and it almost melts into the meat,” he says hungrily, confessing, “I eat about two of those a week.” What will be your go-to favorite from the Shack, set on the corner of 20th and Sansom in Rittenhouse? Read on to find out all the options.