Hot dog and burger fans, let the salivating begin. The famous New York-based Shake Shack is bringing its burgers, hot dogs and frozen custard to New Haven.
In the fall, Shake Shack will open at 986 Chapel St., across from the New Haven Green and kitty-corner to Yale’s Old Campus.
There is an age-old rivalry between Yale and Harvard and the Yale Daily News was quick to point out that Danny Meyer, CEO of the Union Square Hospitality Group that owns Shake Shack, was thinking about expanding his business to Cambridge, Massachusetts (home of Harvard), but decided to open in New Haven instead because of the city’s “amazing food culture.”
“My colleagues and I are proud to bring Shake Shack to New Haven,” Meyer said in a statement. “We are incredibly excited to establish roots in this food-loving, bustling city – which some even say is the birthplace of the hamburger. New Haven is staging a thrilling urban renaissance and we are excited for the opportunity to join this community as employers and citizens.”
His daughter is also a Yalie, according to the Daily News.
“When we choose new areas we look for great communities and compelling sites. We hope that all of New Haven is as excited as we are to have a Shack in their area,” the company tells us in an e-mail.
Shake Shack will take over a building that has been vacant for more than 12 years, according to the New Haven Independent.
"We are delighted to welcome Shake Shack to New Haven," Abigail Rider, director of university properties said. "Shake Shack is an excellent addition to the many dining options that New Haven offers and will attract diners from the City and beyond to Chapel Street."
Shake Shack started as a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park. The cart was a success, lines formed, and the rest is food history.
There are also Shake Shacks in Miami Beach, Washington, DC, Saratoga Race Course in New York, Westport, Dubai and Kuwait City.
