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Once You Go “Shack,” You Never Go Back

Once You Go “Shack,” You Never Go Back

With both establishments located on Post Road in Westport, the rivalry between Shake Shack and Five Guys Burgers and Fries is never ending.

It is almost impossible for me to hold back when the “Shack Burger v. Five Guys Burger” argument is brought to the table because I myself am a dedicated Shake Shack fanatic. When I say dedicated, I really do mean dedicated. In fact, I can confidently say that I am standing in the Shake Shack line at least three times a week.

Now, I am not about to criticize Five Guys or their burgers. Instead, I am simply going to explain why the Shack Burger is undoubtedly my burger, and in reality, my meal of choice.

To start, the Shack Burger is the perfect thickness. It’s a burger that you can comfortably fit your mouth around while being able to experience an ideal ratio of all the ingredients in each bite. Your first bite will not be a mouth full of thick bun; instead, it will consist of a combination of supple bun, tender meat, flavorful cheese, lettuce, tomato and the one and only Shack Sauce.

Secondly, the meat within the Shack Burger has quintessential texture, taste and is cooked to perfection. It isn’t juicy to the point where 15 napkins are required, but it’s definitely juicy enough to not be considered “clean.”

Last but certainly not least, about eighty percent of the reason why I prefer the Shack Burger is the mouthwatering Shack Sauce that comes on it. I personally am unaware of what this delectable sauce is comprised of, but one thing I do know is that the Shack Burger would be incomplete without it.

From the moment I took my first bite of a Shack Burger, I have been a regular ever since. So, when choosing which end of Post Road to pick up a burger from, I advise you to take the route leading to Fairfield. The treck may be a long one, but I can assure you: it’s worth it.

Once I went “Shack,” I never went back.

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About the Contributor
Sarah Ellman, Staff Writer
Sarah Ellman ’15 can be seen on the sidelines of Staples football games, exciting the throngs of people with her cheers every Friday night during the fall. However, Ellman can also be found in the classroom, in room 2032, actively participating at the Staples High School newspaper, Inklings. The senior has always enjoyed writing, as a kid she would create her own picture books with folded 8x11 sheets of paper, but has also participated in cheerleading since eighth grade. This summer, she attended a summer journalism program at New York University, which she described as “really cool.” She felt she excelled writing pieces for Inklings that were more along the lines of features, and instead focused on a different type of writing. “The program taught me how to really write a news story and cover an actual event,” Ellman said. Ellman, a cheer captain this year, headed to a gymnastics camp this summer along with her teammates, in order to prepare for their upcoming season. She feels there is a certain connection between her sport and journalism. “You can’t be quiet with either of them, you have to be personable and loud.” She most enjoys meeting new people and getting to interact with the entire school.   With Inklings, she can achieve this with interviews, but she also entertains the students at sporting events. It is necessary to entertain and capture an audience in both instances and Ellman succeeds in all facets of the activities she participates in. She also engages in community service, including Saferides, an organization that provides rides home for teenagers on Saturday nights. As for Monday through Friday, Ellman can probably be found at Shake Shack, grabbing her favorite food (a cheeseburger) of which she proclaimed her love for. “My friends are legitimately concerned about me.”