So I expected there to be this great big build up towards us going there, planning a certain day, maybe on a sunny weekend, and we'd look forward to it day/week long. I have a weird thing about drawing out the excitement and enjoying the wait.
That's not how we ended up at Shake Shack last week. After another stressful and unsuccessful day of flat hunting, we popped into the lovely pub around the corner from home for a drink. E picked up the menu, not meaning to get any food, but was tempted by the burger they do (which is very good). Then he turned to me and said, "Why don't we go to that place in Covent Garden?" He didn't need to ask me twice.
We arrived around 8:15pm, and there was still a sizeable queue. But it moved along pretty quickly, and it didn't feel like a long wait before we were like excited kids with naughty junkfood after school.
I went for the regular SmokeShack, a cheeseburger with bacon, cherry tomatoes & their ShackSauce, and E went for the double. We also got one each of regular & cheese topped fries, I got wine (it was much needed) and E got a peanut butter shake. Clearly, not a meal for the faint-hearted.
To quote E, "This is essentially what McDonalds should be." It's fast food in its best form, with good ingredients, quality taste, and just enough sloppiness to make it feel like you're breaking the rules.
Although I still think that it is overpriced for what it is (when is anything not in London?), it was definitely worth it and I know that we'll be back. Next up to try is Five Guys, I'm interested to see how it compares.
We wondered around Covent Garden to digest the meal, and what turned out to be a lovely midweek date night. Spontaneity is underrated.
