Try Shake Shack burgers before Nashville location opens

Lizzy Alfs | The Tennessean

It’s a dream made in culinary heaven: Shake Shack, the growing burger joint with a cult-like following, is partnering with renowned chef Sean Brock to give Nashville diners a taste of what’s to come.

The New York-based eatery will host a pop-up at Brock’s Husk on July 21 where people can enjoy a ShackBurger or the vegetarian ‘Shroom Burger, crinkle-cut fries, a local beer and a custom dessert made in collaboration with Brock’s team.

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“The first ShackBurger ever cooked in Nashville is going to be in Sean’s backyard at Husk, so we couldn’t be more excited,” said Mark Rosati, Shake Shack’s culinary director.

Shake Shack to open in Nashville late summer New York based eatery Shake Shack is coming to Green Hills in Nashville

First Nashville Shake Shack coming to Green Hills

The pop-up event precedes the opening of Shake Shack’s first Tennessee restaurant, which is slated to debut later this summer in the Hill Center Green Hills shopping center anchored by Whole Foods. Construction is underway on Shake Shack’s 4,000-square-foot space, which will have seating for more than 200 people and an outdoor patio.

The opening of a Nashville outpost has been a long time coming for the nearly 180-unit Shake Shack — and for Nashville diners who have eaten at the fast-casual eatery in other cities and yearned for a location to open here.

“We’d been looking in Nashville for a long time. It’s such an amazing city with great culture, great food and great music,” Rosati said.

How Shake Shack got started

Shake Shack was born out of a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park in Manhattan. The success of the cart — which started as founder Danny Meyer’s contribution to help revitalize the park — led to a permanent kiosk in 2004. The concept quickly took off and regularly drew long lines for the simple menu modeled after classic Americana roadside fare.

“What we love to do is create a community gathering place, which is just like what those old roadside burger stands were trying to do back in the day,” Rosati said, adding Shake Shack encourages people to sit down and enjoy their meal with friends and family.

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Shake Shack’s burgers are made with all-natural Angus beef with no hormones or antibiotics and served on a non-GMO Martin’s Potato Roll. Other menu items include a crisp-fried portobello mushroom sandwich that is filled with melted muenster and cheddar cheese; a crispy chicken sandwich; all-natural Vienna beef hot dogs; frozen custard with no corn syrup and milk from dairy farmers who pledge not to use artificial growth hormones; and the uber-popular crinkle-cut French fries.

Shack Shake also serves beer and wine, including its own ShackMeister Ale made in collaboration with Brooklyn Brewery.

Rosati said the Nashville menu will feature a couple locally-inspired items.

“The city is so chock-full of inspiration,” Rosati said.

Prices haven’t yet been determined for the Nashville eatery.

As for whether Shake Shack is scouting more locations in Middle Tennessee, Rosati said the company has focused its energy on opening and perfecting the Green Hills outpost.

“Once we have it locked and feel it’s taking good strong roots, maybe we start to look around for other locations,” he said.

Shake Shack pop-up event

When: July 21; two timeslots available 11-1 p.m. and 1-3 p.m.

Where: Husk; 37 Rutledge St.; free parking will be provided on the street near Husk and at the Nashville Children’s Theater parking lot at 25 Middleton St.

What: Try Shake Shake’s food before the Green Hills restaurant debuts and enjoy games and live music

Price: $25 per person includes a ShackBurger or ‘Shroom Burger, fries, a local beer or wine and dessert

To purchase tickets, visit https://shakeshackxhusk.splashthat.com/.

Reach Lizzy Alfs at lalfs@tennessean.com or 615-726-5948 and on Twitter @lizzyalfs.