Shake Shack @ The Orlando Eye opens today!

Earlier this year, the Orlando EYE opened on International Drive, and with it a variety of restaurants and attractions in a mini theme park. Today, Shake Shack opens, being the newest food venue to open near the main pavilion.

Marshall and I had a chance to preview the location and food before it opened. We had never been to a Shake Shack before so we took every opportunity for this new experience.

The location is small but classy. It was easy to find parking as it was right next to the parking garage (which is free!). From where are standing you get a good look at the EYE iteself.

Now let’s talk about the food! To us, it is very much like a cross between a Burgerfi (another Orlando burger place) and an In -and -Out. The menu is simplistic but with some interesting options as well.

First what we tried!

The food comes on a silver tray that is very modern. I should also mention that the tables are wood and “branded” with their logo seared into the top.

Marshall got the Roadside Burger (cheese and carmelized onions), cheese fries, and a peanut butter shake. I tried the fries with cheese on the side, a ‘Shroom Burger, and an Orlandough Concreate Mixer. More on that below.

Dessert I had to eat first because the moment I got it, there was melting. Obviously it was an Orlando exclusive (hence the name), but the ingredients are delicious! It included Chocolate Custard, Chocolate Cookie Truffle Dough, Marshmallow Sauce, and Chocolate Covered Pretzels.  I have to say that after I tried both the Peanut Butter shake and this, I definitely got the better end of the deal. To me there was really not enough variety of shake on the menu for a place that has Shake in the title. Definitely go for the custards!

Next we went for the fries! You can get either plain fries (with mustard or ketchup to dip) or cheese fries. I did see one guy get bacon on his but I don’t know if that was a secret menu thing or what. To save, we recommend buying 1 cheese fries with the sauce on the side and 1 regular fries and sharing the cheese; there is enough to share! Loved the fries a lot as they definitely tasted twice fried, once for cookie and then for the crispy exterior. Personally though, I kind of wish there were more side options but these were very good.

Although you can’t see it, the ‘Shroom Burger is the vegetarian option. I am picky about my meat and while I do eat ground beef, I like to alternatives when I can. This contains a patty made of a portobello mushroom stuffed with cheese, breaded and then fried. The burger comes with lettuce and tomato. After tasting both burger I can say I preferred the real one, although Marshall like this one. Can’t decide? You can get Shack Stack which has both the mushroom and beef patty stacked!

I would be remiss if we did not talk about other things on the menu. Although the menu is primarily burgers and hot dogs, there are other things on there that might surprise you. The hot dogs and burgers contain no hormones and no antibiotics. The custards are shakes are made in house with real sugar (no corn syrup), and milk from non-hormone cows.

They have their own Ale called Shackmeister that is probably worth a taste, as well as their own red and white wine.Lastly, you can bring your Fido his own doggie bag with 2 different dog friendly treats: biscuits or custard! Lastly, Shack Shake contributes to the clean water campaign with it’s own bottled water, with proceeds going towards the cause.

Overall, if you are looking for a place to eat that is inexpensive, simple, and environmentally conscious, definitely check this place out. Burgers and fries for 2 will set you back about $20 with desserts costing $4-6 each on top of that. Considering all the more expensive places to eat around the Orlando Eye complex, this is really not bad.

When you are all done eating, make sure you visit Orlando Eye, Sea Life, and Madame Tussaud. If you are interested in a review of that, make sure you comment!

Disclaimer: I received the opportunity to sample food at no cost to me, but I was under no agreement to write about it if I did not want to.