Shake Shack Creates French Dip-Inspired Burger Exclusively For LA Shacks

Burger, meet French Dip. In celebration of the opening of the first Shake Shack locations in Los Angeles, the chain has executed a series of pop-up events and created a Los Angeles-exclusive burger: the Roadside Double. Mark Rosati, culinary director of Shake Shack, tells First We Feast that the burger was inspired, "by the iconic French dip sandwiches at Philippe's and Cole's," two iconic establishments in the LA area.

The Roadside Double is a double Swiss cheeseburger topped with Dijon mustard and onions simmered in bacon and beer. Unlike a traditional French Dip, the meat isn't soaked in a mixture of pan juices in stock, but rather has "rich and beefy flavors," First We Feast describes. Also notable, as Rosati explains, is this is the first time Shake Shack has used a cheese other than American atop one of its burgers. The Roadside Double will be featured as a permanent menu item at all three Los Angeles Shake Shacks when they open in the spring.

For its first pop-up event, Shake Shack partnered up with The Infatuation LA for 'Backlot Beats and EEEEEATS,' where guests enjoyed ShackBurgers, cocktails, burger beats, cornhole, and life-size Jenga. It was hosted by Hedley and Bennett at its factory space in Downtown L.A. At a second event, "Movie Under the Stars," the chain screened Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope in the parking lot of its West Hollywood Shack and served burgers, fries, and buttery caramel popcorn frozen custard. Lastly, Shake Shack partnered with chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo for a "Shake Shack x Son of a Gun collab," which featured Son of a Gun tuna melts, ShackBurgers, and Shackwiches (chocolate whoopie pies stuffed with peanut butter frozen custard and toffee).