Scuttlebutt: Shake Shack coming to Logan Circle?

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by Prince Of Petworth March 11, 2016 at 10:30 am 48 Comments

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Joseph Leonardo

My sources, who may or may not be figments of my imagination tell me to keep an eye out for word of a Shake Shack coming to Logan Circle. I’m hearing the likely locale will be around 14th and Rhode Island Ave, NW. Sources say odds are currently 50/50 so stay tuned!

If it does happen – do you think a Shake Shack would do well in Logan?

FridayGirl

I WOULD BE SO HAPPY ABOUT THIS.
- Rower32
  
  Yes, all we need is a District Taco in the neighborhood now.
petworther

I know a certain empty storefront in the shape of a barrel that’s being remodeled. How would the people of Logan feel about gaining a Shake Shack while loosing a barrel?
- jaybird
  
  Seems like they would need to use the side parking lot for that to work. Which would be great (unless you live next door).
MarkQ

Other than Popeyes, there’s not much by way of fast food on that stretch of 14th. When I was having some work done at my place nearby, the contractors lamented this fact to me… they were “forced” to eat at Popeyes every day cause there were so few options within walking distance. So Shake Shack might be a good bet to get what limited lunchtime traffic there is there and they will be in the mix for quick dinner and late night takeout. The cool factor of Shake Shack has worn off though, yes? I don’t think their burgers are any better than most, and their fries suck. If I am going to clog my arteries once or twice a month in Logan, I am going for broke and getting a really good burger at a sit down joint (“The Pig” has was one of the best burgers in town.)
- FridayGirl
  
  The cool factor of shake shack has not worn off! At least I don’t think so. I love their burgers, and I don’t think any hamburger place in the area has stellar fries (most are way too greasy for me, looking at you z-burger). But that’s just me.
  - jaybird
    
    Z burger has better fries.
- petworther
  
  You mean other than Popeye’s, Chipotle, Sweetgreen, Yum’s, Whole Foods, Maki Shop, and Great Wall? Or does it not count if it’s an entire block away?
  - Sheik Yerbouti
    
    Plus Amsterdam Falafel, Taylor Gourmet, Taqueria Nacional…
  - MarkQ
    
    I am talking about chains along the lines of Subway, Wendy’s, McD’s… the kinds of places with sub $10 dollars meals that appeal, for better or worse, to working folks like my contractors. They’re not going to trek to Sweet Green to pay 10-12 bucks for a salad, and subject themselves to the side-eyes and crinkled noses of that place’s clientele and they’re not going to try local places they are not familiar with. They wanted something they knew, something cheap and something they could walk to within the limited time of their lunch break.
    - ***
      
      Wait. Am I missing the part where you spend less than $10 at Shake Shack for lunch. Because I don’t see how that is possible. Also, I would guess Danny Meyer would not be super stocked about being lumped in with Wendy’s and McD’s
      - MarkQ
        
        W/out a drink, you can get out of Shake Shake for lest the 12 or 10 bucks, depending on whether you order a single of a double.
      - FridayGirl
        
        I routinely spend ~$8 at shake shack for a burger and fries.
- sproc
  
  Most definitely worn off. Just don’t get the devotion to a so-so burger. Even went back recently to try a Chicken Shack. Decent flavor, but also dripping in grease. I love a gut bomb from time to time, but if it’s not really a treat, why bother? At least they serve beer, though.
- Pixie
  
  The cool factor of shroom burgers, crinkle cut fries, and frozen custard will never wear off!
- CoHi
  
  I need to defend the honor of Shake Shack fries. I love their kinkle-cut fries, and their whiz is the best whiz in the city . . . for topping fries, anyway. None of that neon cheese, but real stuff!
- reality
  
  The milkshakes are great compared to other fast food.
Matt

This will be the death of me.
FridayGirl

Rant: Complained about something logistical at work this morning and I really shouldn’t have opened my mouth.
Rant: But I have a migraine and the only reason I came in today (which I was told was *really important*) I ended up being told that I wasn’t needed for. Instead I’m holding down the fort. Which is fine. But. Could have been home resting my eyes. Oh well.
Rave: Going outside to get out of fluorescent lighting and get some good food for lunch. I should be grateful instead of annoyed.
- FridayGirl
  
  And totally wrong tab. Sorry, guys.
abdc

This is awesome. I hope it’s true. I don’t care about ‘cool factor’ in a fast food place? Didn’t know that was a thing… I just love their burgers! And I guess, don’t ‘consider me Miles Davis!’
This is Awkward

Oh Shake Shack…Danny Meyer is a brilliant man, getting people to stand on insanely long lines for a burger and friends. Shake Shack is good, but its not any better than any other place that uses quality ingredients. I’m sure Logan Circle will attract even more sycophantic burger lovers to this beloved chain than the NYC locations given the sheer novelty of a “famous NYC restaurant” landing in DC.

Good burgers, but the lines make no sense. Check for any place that uses Pat LaFrieda beef and I promise you won’t be disappointed!
- This is Awkward
  
  A burger and *fries* are nice, but I guess a “burger and friends” is even better.
- Nathan
  
  I rarely encounter much of a line at the Penn Quarter or Union Station locations. Its a good quality burger. Most places I’ve seen that use Pat LaFrieda beef are more sit-down and expensive restaurants, so this is a good option.
  - ExWalbridgeGuy
    
    Novelty factor of a famous NYC restaurant? Not sure if “This is Awkward” is aware that there are already four Shake Shacks in DC and the first one opened half a decade ago?
    - Nathan
      
      +1 Outside of tourists, I really doubt many DC citizens are thinking – OOOOh Shake Shake, its a NY restaurant.
      - FridayGirl
        
        This is making Shake Shack sound like Momofuku and I’m confused.
      - CVR
        
        Until about 6 months ago I thought Shake Shack was a DC thing. Then a friend in Boston went for her birthday and I was so confused. Obviously I don’t eat there…
ExWalbridgeGuy

This will do fine, obviously. I’d think barrel liquors might be too small a space though and that this could be in the new building that used to be Caribou Coffee? Or maybe the old Ghana Cafe? That’s a decent-sized space, I think, and that’s still vacant right?
- jaybird
  
  I think the Ghana Cafe is going to be a ramen place…
***

I’m not sure this makes a lot of sense. There is already a Shake Shack at Connecticut and 18th, literally .6 miles from this proposed location. If they are going somewhere on 14th it would make more sense to go further North and capture some new market.
- JohnH
  
  I would say that somewhere between P and R would make better sense.
  .
  But Shake Shack in Dupont is not as close as it sounds – it’s well below the circle. Not really practical to get a quick lunch/dinner – especially anyone east of 14 and north of P.
  - ***
    
    As someone who routinely has to walk 2+ miles home because there is literally no places to eat within a mile of my apartment, I have little to no sympathy that from 14th street it’s less than a mile walk to Shake Shack. Sorry.
    - MtP
      
      Its not about having sympathy for someone. Clearly, .6 miles is not THAT far to walk for a burger. The fact is, however, that 18th and Conn is quite a haul (over and under circles, main roads, etc.) from 14th and RI. In addition, people choose a neighborhood like Logan Circle so they don’t have to walk “2+ miles home” from a restaurant. I really hate it when people use mile distances when making arguments like this in a city, which happens on here quite a bit.
      - ***
        
        Yeah, sorry. Not buying it. A 12 minute walk is not “quite a haul” in my book, which I guess is why it doesn’t bother me to walk a mile home from the bus everyday. I’ve never understood the DC attitude regarding distance.
      - FridayGirl
        
        What about me? I would love to have a 10 minute walk to Shake Shack from lower Columbia Heights instead of a 30 minute walk. If I lived closer to Dupont I can see the issue, but I think having this in Logan Circle would still capture LOTS of new market from U St/Columbia Heights/Shaw who wouldn’t walk all the way to south Dupont.
      - ***
        
        @FridayGirl: This is why I suggested in the original post that a spot further North on 14th street would make more sense – like 14th and Florida. Capture Columbia Heights, U Street, Howard, etc.
  - ExWalbridgeGuy
    
    Huh? 14th and P is less than half a block away from 14th and Rhode Island. If you trip at the corner of 14th and P, and roll a couple of times, you would hit the intersection of 14th and Rhode Island.
    - JohnH
      
      I mean, I think you can use pretty simple logic to interpret what I meant was NORTH of P Street, not necessarily at the corner of P and 14th. I’m well aware that between Rhode Island and P is not that far.
- Former New Englander
  
  Who goes to Dupont anymore? The area has become rather quiet in the last 2-3 years. Businesses are finding it hard to keep up with 14th St.
Yeek

Good Stuff Eatery > Shake Shack
CHGal

This picture has destroyed all possibility of me eating a salad for lunch.
Mug of Glop

Could this be going in the much-fabled Coming Soon Chinese Sushi Bar Wine Bar space? My money’s on the former Caribou space if this is actually happening, though.
- joeflood
  
  That makes the most sense to me. But can you imagine living over a Shake Shack?
  - Mug of Glop
    
    I imagine my breath getting heavier and heavier each day climbing those stairs after several months of non-stop Shack Stacks and chocolate shakes. Not the worst way to go, though…
anonymouse_dianne

I wish it were closer to me. I like the double stack burgers and the Chicago dog. Only fries for me are Z-Burger spicy.
Steve

Tasty Butger from Boston coming to Atlantic Plumbing building on Eigth Street. May be my downfall
Manamana

Do I think it would do well in Logan? Does the Whole Foods do well?

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