Cheat Sheet to Shake Shack Philippines

There's no denying that Shake Shack is one of the most awaited burger joint openings this 2019. With the brand teasing us as early as late last year, many fans have two questions in mind-- when it will open and how much a burger would cost. And we got our answers last week when Shake Shack held its first media preview to select channels and personalities with the announcement that Shake Shack Philippines will open on May 10. But along the excitement for its first day comes some heated debate on which burger is best. Some claim that Shake Shack's burgers are ridiculously priced for a fast food chain while others say that their favorites are far superior compared to Shake Shack's. I'm no burger connoisseur but here's my take on Shake Shack. 

Hello, Shake Shack Philippines!

The popular and iconic New York burger shop finally opens its doors in Manila this May and its pioneer store is massive! It can sit 120 guests at a time and it has four counters to speed up the queue which is expected to be crazy for the next coming months.

Now in Manila: New York's Magnolia Bakery (M Bakery)

Magnolia Bakery has been one of the well-loved iconic establishments in New York that stood the test of time. Established in 1996, it has delighted New Yorkers since and it has been one of the hottest must-visit brands when visiting the city. With long queues to greet you, one would wonder what made this bakery great. And to be honest, it was not exactly love at first bite for me. But having it the second time around sure won me over!

Hello, M Bakery. 

The world-famous Magnolia Bakery is finally in Manila as M Bakery. 

First Bite: Dean & Deluca

I always get curious and excited every time I see a new establishment opening soon. But it took Dean & Deluca quite a while before it opened. The place had mixed reviews—some say the original Dean & Deluca is better than the local one (well, I wouldn’t know as all I could afford when I was in NYC were hotdogs and Halal food) while others can’t stop raving about its desserts. There’s only one way to find out… to visit the place and try its food myself.

Hello, Dean & Deluca!

The place was packed when we arrived. Luckily, there was an available table.

Dean & Deluca has a nice selection of dishes and we chose the ones I read were good—Trio Field Mushroom Soup (PHP280), Gratinated Baked Oysters (PHP325), BBQ Braised US Beef Short Ribs (PHP850), and Seafood Medley (PHP980).

First served was the soup and it was lovely. The texture was slightly thick and the truffle cream was divine. I loved slurping it the thinly sliced mushrooms.

Next served was the plate of gratinated baked oysters. I read really nice reviews about this dish but… it wasn’t extraordinary. The oysters were indeed fresh and there was a nice contrast between the grated cheese and the smooth oysters but that was about it. Well, if you’re a fan of oysters, you’ll most likely enjoy this dish.