Shake Shack
Madison Square Park
New York, New York
212-889-6600

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For once, believe the hype. Shake Shack, Danny Meyer's little ivy-covered burger kiosk, has turned the southeast corner of Manhattan's Madison Square Park upside down. Open only since 2004, it became an instant New York legend; lunchtime lines began stretching so far that Shakeshack.com was forced to install a webcam. Now hopeful patrons can monitor the wait before deciding if it's worth the trip. It is -- even in winter, when outdoor heaters keep the line bearable. The Shack gets its beef from legendary local purveyor Pat La Frieda, and employees grind a mix of fresh brisket and sirloin into burger patties every day. They're fashioned into moist, smallish burgers on a plain potato bun: nothing fancy to look at. But they're amazing, particularly the Double Shackburger, a loose, buttery, high-fat disc that registers perfectly on the bun-to-beef ratio. No fancy accompaniments, just fresh tomato, lettuce, American cheese and a mayo-based Shack sauce. If you prefer your burgers to be ginormous softballs of meat with all kinds of bells and whistles, you will be disappointed. The Shake Shack, true to the humble mission of burgers, is all about the satisfying simplicity of fresh beef.

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Photo: Union Square Hospitality Group