Shake Shack single burgers

 
  Danny Meyer

I have been asked a number of times by friends and associates, “Why Washington?” When we first decided to grow Shake Shack beyond its original home in New York’s Madison Square Park, we were eager to learn whether our burgers, fries and shakes would attract guests outside that majestic park setting. We drew up a short list of cities of reasonable proximity to New York that we all loved spending time in. DC quickly emerged as a leader, the capital having the added benefit of being home to so many New York expats (whom we were hoping might already be familiar with Shake Shack).

It is now only the third city (Shake Shack Miami Beach was born last summer) in which we have opened a restaurant, and much research and care was given to identifying the right location. In selecting sites for Shake Shack, we seek neighborhoods with a healthy density of pedestrians near key business drivers—parks, cultural institutions, schools and the like—and residential neighborhoods. The thriving and bustling Dupont Circle neighborhood struck our team as a bull’s-eye.

One day, not long after our opening, I sat on a chair outside the Shack’s front door and observed the line. I was astounded by the number of people I overheard proudly sharing their previous Shack experiences and offering suggestions to fellow guests. It was quite remarkable to witness, and it further cemented our belief that DC was indeed an ideal home for the Shack.

Danny Meyer's Growing Empire
While many people may be aware that our company, Union Square Hospitality Group, recently opened a few eateries at Nationals Park (besides Shake Shack, there is also Blue Smoke, El Verano Taquería and Box Frites), most do not know the origins of this partnership. Several years ago, in the winter of 2008, I received a letter with constructive observations from someone I had never met about a dinner he had recently taken at our restaurant Tabla. I was deeply grateful to this person for taking the time to share the experience with me, as it provided our chef and general manager with valuable feedback.

This individual and I kept in contact over the years, during which time USHG opened a handful of restaurants—from the Roman-style trattoria Maialino to four premium concessions at the New York Mets’ Citi Field, with some Shake Shacks sprinkled in between. Fast-forward to this past June, when I found myself standing on the field at Nationals Park next to that once-concerned Tabla guest, visionary Washington Nationals director of guest services and hospitality operations Jonathan Stahl. It was the day we debuted our culinary outposts at the Park, and I was with Jonathan as I waited to throw out the first pitch (it is a lot farther than it looks!). I couldn’t help but feel a moment’s awe at how this relationship had evolved from what was essentially a guest complaint into an incredible partnership—talk about “following through”!

The welcome Washingtonians have given Shake Shack both on Connecticut Avenue and at Nationals Park has been phenomenally enthusiastic and warm—so much so that we have started looking for the next great neighborhood in the city to open another location. Our team looks forward to establishing deep roots in our new home. And I personally look forward to having a legitimate excuse to spend even more time in our great capital city. Shake Shack, 1216 18th St. NW, 202-683-9922; Nationals Park, 1500 S. Capitol St. SE