US burger chain Shake Shack opened its first branch in Israel on Tuesday with a long line of customers queuing outside the doors of the Tel Aviv eatery to purchase the fast-food chain’s smashed patties served on squishy potato buns and crinkle-cut fries.
The first branch located next to the buzzy Dizengoff Center opened its doors to the public as Israelis eligible to vote in Tuesday’s municipal elections went to cast their ballots, after they were delayed twice due to the ongoing war with the Hamas terror group.
The menu at the Tel Aviv fast-food restaurant features some of the signature Shake Shack servings, including the Angus beef Shack cheeseburger, hot dog and crinkle-cut fries, as well as beer, wine, hand-spun milkshakes and Shack ice cream, but is more limited compared to offerings at branches in the US and other locations.
For now, chicken-based options, including chicken burgers and chicken bites, are not part of the Tel Aviv menu. The first Israel branch does not meet kosher dietary requirements, but does offer the vegetarian Shroom portobello mushroom-based burger option.
The burger chain introduced a few Tel Aviv specials, such as a pistachio shake and cocktail drinks, including Sabra Sunset and Arak Lemonade. In terms of pricing, the Shack single cheeseburger in Tel Aviv sells for NIS 39 ($10.81), and the double burger for NIS 51 ($14.13) compared with $8.37 and $11.42 respectively in New York
Back in April, the New York-based chain announced plans to open at least 15 branches across the country over the next decade. Shake Shack signed an agreement with Harel Wizel, CEO of Israeli fashion and retail store chain group Fox Ltd., and restaurant group operator Yarzin Sella to establish and operate the burger restaurants in Israel.
Shake Shack opened its first fast-food restaurant in 2004 in New York City’s Madison Square Park. The burger chain has more than 450 locations globally, including 295 in the US and over 155 in other locations across London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Mexico City, Istanbul, Dubai and Tokyo. In March, the chain announced that it will enter the Canadian market in 2024 and open 35 branches in the country by 2035.
