Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

What makes the shack burgers work so well-- especially compared with an inferior burger of a similar style like Five Guys*-- is the balance between the beef, bun and condiments. The leaf lettuce and tomato used in the Shack Burger are just the right amount. Five Guys' iceberg lettuce doesn't add the same flavor. And the potato bun at the Shack ties it all together. The Five Guys bun is too thick-- it overwhelms the burger. And the brisket/sirloin blend in the Shack's patties gives it a more interesting and complex flavor.

I hope that Shake Shack uptown will have the same balance of burgers without the insane line in the park. This classic post from AHT remains my guideline for when to wait on line and when not to bother.

*Not to say that Five Guys is bad-- I enjoy their burgers and they have great fries, but their burgers don't have the same balance that the Shack's exhibit.

Woomp, d'are it is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/slice/276565589/

Nice slideshow, did I miss it or did you omit the home of my favorite classic NY slice, New Park Pizza of Howard Beach. I don't have a picture, but here's a couple of slices and a punch:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pauliegee/482091957/in/set-72157600170652215/

BTW, better than Isabella's is Kossar's Bialys next door.

Ciao,

Paulie Gee

looked instantly familiar to me as I spend a lot of time in downtown LA:

http://flickr.com/photos/91811387@N00/59570782

I have a picture somewhere in my archives but a google online search was quicker

Why on earth anyone would think this was filmed on location is beyond me!

Forgot to mention that 5 Guys is pretty good, in my opinion. It is a welcome sight after a long, long flight home into Reagan National. I still prefer the Apple Pan, though.