Shake Shack, which I’ve learned from previous experience offers some of the best burgers in the city, has launched its French Onion menu, which is on now and runs until 20 May.
The limited-time menu was inspired by the flavours of the classic soup – which just happens to be my favourite soup in the whole world.
Shake Shack’s limited edition French Onion menu
How could I therefore pass up the opportunity to try a menu which features layers of caramelised onions, Emmental cheese, crispy shallots and roasted garlic mayo fused with Shake Shack’s already excellent burgers?
Burger-wise, the French Onion soup-inspired options are: French Onion Burger (single or double), an Emmental cheeseburger topped with crispy shallots, caramelised onions and roasted garlic mayo; the French Onion ’Shroom Crisp, a fried Portobello mushroom filled with a blend of melted cheeses, topped with caramelised onions and roasted garlic mayo; and the French Onion Shack Stack, an Emmental cheeseburger topped with a ’Shroom Burger, caramelised onions and roasted garlic mayo.
The French Onion Burger. Picture: Adrian Peel
Sides-wise, there is the Roasted Garlic Mayo Fries – crinkle-cut fries topped with roasted garlic mayo, parmesan cheese and spring onions – and beer-battered onion rings made from sliced sweet Spanish onions, served with a sour cream and onion sauce or roasted garlic mayo.
The Roasted Garlic Mayo fries. Picture: Adrian Peel
The new menu also offers a Chocolate Churros Shake – a cinnamon churro frozen custard-topped milkshake with spiced dark chocolate sauce, whipped cream and chopped churros – and a Pineapple Mint Lemonade, a pineapple purée and mint mixed with house-made lemonade.
As I’m not a fan of mushrooms, it was an easy decision to make when it came to what to try. I went for a double French Onion Burger, and was pleasantly reminded of my favourite soup when I bit into it.
I also love fancy sauces, so was delighted by the roasted garlic mayo. Speaking of sauces, the sour cream and onion sauce that came with the onion rings was simply divine, and I gleefully added some of it to the already-delicious Roasted Garlic Mayo Fries.
The onion rings. Picture: Adrian Peel
My wife tried the French Onion Shack Stack and, as someone who likes mushrooms, she loved the ’Shroom Burger and the caramelised onions that adored it.
We also shared a Pineapple Mint Lemonade, which was so nice that we plan to try and recreate it at home, and a Chocolate Churros Shake, which offers the perfect combination of crunchy, authentic churro with the softness of the cream and custard.
In short, I think we’ll back between now and 20 May, when this limited edition menu – available at all UK branches of Shake Shack – comes to an end.
For more information, visit shakeshack.co.uk/menu/.
The American fast food chain opened its first branch in Cambridge – at 1-2 Petty Cury, Lion Yard – last June. It was the 17th branch to open in the UK, and also boasts a Cambridge-themed mural by Beatriz Lostalé, a UK-based Spanish illustrator.
Dining and Cooking