Restauranteur Danny Meyer had a vision when he created Shake Shack in New York in 2010. He wanted to create the quintessential American restaurant, one that specialized in burgers, fries, and shakes. In less than a decade, he has pretty much done that.

Joining the ranks of fellow Texan cities, Houston and Austin, San Antonio now boasts a Shake Shack to call its own.

Tucked away on the city’s north side, just down the road from the iconic Largest Cowboy Boots in the World, Shake Shack has been an immediate hit among burger savvy patrons of San Antonians. From day one, carnivores have lined up around the building for a chance to get a taste of the good stuff.

I was fortunate to be invited to a tasting dinner to see what all the fuss was all about. I have to admit, I came away quite impressed.

My fare for the evening was a Single SmokeShack burger – think a traditional bacon cheeseburger but amped up with diced cherry peppers and their signature Shake Sauce and those famous fries.

From bite one, I got it.

Spoiler alert: Shake Shack is legit. The quality of the burger is evident right off the bat. All of the ingredients played together and complimented each other. The bacon, crisp and savory; the cheese, fatty and gooey; the meat, it is fair to say that this is more akin to a high-end steakhouse than a fast food burger.

The cherry peppers were surprising and pleasantly spicy, cut down on the savoriness of the overall burger.

I’m a burger fan and I like to think I know what I’m talking about when I say this is a dang good burger. If you’re in the mood to go off book and try something with a little more taste of home, check out the Lockhart Link Burger – complete with a Kreuz Market jalapeño cheese sausage link.

Also on the menu, is their regular ShackBurger, their Chic’n Shack, and for our vegetarian friends the ‘Shroom Burger – which is sneaky good! The portabella steak is stuffed with cheese and deep fried. One bite and the cheese flows forth like edible lava from a dairy volcano.

The crinkle-cut French fries lived up to their reputation as well. There’s something about the crispy outer texture of these kinds of fries, coupled with their soft interiors that is deeply satisfying.

Make sure and save room for the eponymous shakes at the Shake Shack too. I highly recommend the black & white, a great mix of chocolate and vanilla ice cream.