Is Shake Shack’s Basic Meal Worth the Cost?

Shake Shack has finally arrived in Toronto, bringing its much-hyped burgers and shakes to the heart of Dundas Square. But does the reality live up to the hype, especially when you're trying to keep things budget friendly? We decided to put their basic meal for two to the test, ordering two single Shack Burgers, a Coke, and an order of crinkle-cut fries. Our goal: to see if a simple, affordable meal at Shake Shack is a satisfying experience or just a gateway to more expensive options.

The location itself is prime, right near the Eaton Centre, making it a convenient stop for shoppers and tourists. However, the excitement quickly faded as we tasted our meal. The single ShackBurger, the supposed star of the show, was surprisingly underwhelming. While the patty was cooked well enough, it was excessively oily, leaving a greasy aftertaste. More importantly, the burger lacked any real flavor. It tasted…basic—disappointingly so.

The Coke was another letdown. It tasted noticeably watered down, a far cry from the crisp, refreshing drink we expected.

The crinkle-cut fries, thankfully, were the saving grace of the meal. They were crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and adequately salted. They weren't exceptional, but they were a solid side.

The final verdict? At $28.20 CAD for this basic meal, we weren't impressed. The underwhelming burger and watered-down Coke left us feeling like we hadn't gotten our money's worth.

It almost felt like Shake Shack intentionally made their basic menu items less appealing to encourage customers to upgrade to their more premium (and pricier) offerings.

If you're looking for a truly satisfying burger experience, you might be better off exploring other options in the city. If you're dead-set on trying Shake Shack, be prepared to shell out a bit more for their specialty burgers and shakes. The basic meal for two, in our opinion, is simply not worth it.