Shake Shack [Click the photo above to go to Shake Shack’s website]
Madison Square Park:Southeast corner of Madison Square Park, near Madison Ave and East 23rd St
Whenever I take a gym class in Flatiron I always have to stroll by Madison Square Park on my way. As I walk by the small piece of green I always see a line snaked around the corner for Shake Shack. In Manhattan there are only 2 reasons for a line, one: those people are tourists and idiots, and two: it’s actually worth the wait.
Being that I am walking to a gym class I always decide it would be counterproductive to stop for a cheeseburger and fries, but in the back of my mind I always think, “I will eat there at some point.”
Well! That day has come!
I was planning a Thursday night dinner with my friend, and her only rule was it had to be under $20. “Are we drinking?” I immediately ask (alcohol would make it a lot harder to keep the meal under $20). We are not (bummer, it’s Thursday), “Lets save ourselves for the weekend.” Suddenly I had an epiphany. We shall go to Shake Shack. It’s on.
The plan was we would meet at Shake Shack, and then bring the food back to my apartment to eat and “watch” the Knicks Game (what up LINsanity). I had told everyone and their mother (I’m going to Shake Shake. Spread it!) I was going so I had received a few suggestion.
Get the milkshake!
Get the burger!
OK OK! TWIST MY ARM!
I threw on my Thanksgiving pants (you know where that’s from!), and off I went.
As we’re waiting on line I peruse the prices. “It’s so cheap for a burger.”
“That’s because they’re so small,” my friend replies.
Small! Small! Panic immediately starts to build inside my stomach. What if I am not full? What if I am still hungry? (looking back it would not have been the worst thing) I change my mind. I shall get the double cheese burger, and a vanilla shake. I went to the gym in the morning for this exact reason!
My friend ordered a double burger, and we split fries. As we waited for our food (they give you buzzers so you know when your food is ready, which immediately led to phantom vibrations. did it go off? are you sure??) we chitchatted.
“Do you think it’s a big deal we’re missing part of the Knick’s game?”
“Nah, the 4th quarter is all that matters.”
“Oh, ok good.”
“They should just give each team 100 points and then put 2 minutes on the clock”
We invented a new game, while waiting for our burgers. PERFECT! LamLam? Carmello? Lin? How do you feel about this new sport??
Finally, the buzzers go off! (ok it was 3 minutes) I have to say, it was worth the hype. The burger was almost buttery, the fries were seasoned, and the milkshake was delightful (I’m lactose intolerant so I took a big risk with that). We packed it up and left to watch the Knicks game (they lost to the Miami Heat, and I screamed GET A REBOUND 10x to myself in my apartment).
“Hey,” I said as we were getting up, “this would be a cute date spot. It’s casual, and it’s cute being in the park at night, and you can even get a beer.”
“Yea, sure” my friend replies, and pops one last fry in her mouth.
Shake Shack (Madison Square Park)
Tell me that isn’t a little romantic with the lights!
Shake Shack (double cheeseburger)
Ch-ch-ch-check it out! Cray-zay! I ate the WHOLE thing. I did, and I only felt a little guilty when I checked myself out in the mirror this morning. Maybe get a regular burger if you’re on a date…
Shake Shack (vanilla shake)
I got fancy with it!! I like the classic diner shake, either vanilla or black & white. This does NOT taste like a diner milkshake, but it was really yummy (my milkshake brings all the boys to yard…Sorry I’m not sorry!)
Shake Shack (double cheeseburger, vanilla milkshake)
Here is my delicious meal! It ain’t fancy, but who cares!
BLUE SMOKE[Click the photo above to go to Blue Smoke’s website]
116 E 27th St b/t S Park Ave & Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016
Went to Blue Smoke last night with my pops. It’s a good spot for Murray Hill: comfortably crowded, decent food, and sort of a dudefest (girls think about that for an after work drink).
We ordered the warm bbq potato chips with blue cheese and bacon dip to start. It’s hard to complain about a creamy dip with bacon, but the chips were stale and tasted store bought.
It was fine, but I wouldn’t say it was restaurant quality. It reminded me of in college when my roommates and I would try to “cook” (look boys we’re cute and domestic). We’d haul our cookies to the supermarket (secretly munch on samples), buy all the ingredients, make this fatty dip, and realize we forgot chips, and end up running to the vending machine to see what they had.
Blue Smoke
I had the burger, and I have to say I liked it. It was big and juicy (don’t make it weird), and the fries were well done which I love!
Mi padre had the fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy. We also split a side of brussel sprouts and sesame cole slaw. I had a nibble of my dad’s, and if you’re not in the mood for red meat I would recommend getting that.
Overall it’s a good spot if you’re going with parents or a coed crowd. I didn’t see one group of girls sitting at a table. Some might see that as no competition.
Shopsins [Click the photo above to go to Shopsins website]
120 Essex Street, New York, NY 10002
If you’re in the mood for a big brunch go to Shopsins on the LES! It is inside a supermarket, doesn’t take reservations, and only takes parties of 3 or less, and kitchen closes at 3 (oh AND closed on sundays, go on a saturday). Even with all those limitations it’s worth it!
Their specialty is Blisters on my Sisters (die for their name), but I went for ham & cheese grits and french toast grilled cheese with poached eggs.
I didn’t die for the grilled cheese, but the grits were perfect! It’s definitely worth the cals.
We waited on line for a while, bc there are maybe 8 tables, but the menu is so extensive I spent the entire time debating about what i wanted to eat..
I got to catch up with my friend and drank an iced coffee while we waited to be seated.
Shopsins
Meet the owner of Shopsins, Kenny Shopsin! He is what you would call a character. When I was in search of a restroom (i drank a lot of iced coffee) he handed me 2 keys and said “they’re real ass holes here. They make you go upstairs.”
I asked which key was for the upstairs and his response was “the one that’s not for downstairs.”
Im in love. Im in love, and I don’t care who knows it!
Shopsins: 120 Essex Street, New York, NY 10002
My friend got the pancakes with eggs stuffed imbetween the pancakes. she clearly liked them.
Shopsins
I cannot help myself! Here are the ham & cheese grits!
GirlyFoodie 