SHAKE SHACK LIVES UP TO HYPE

Pam at the Coral Gables Shake Shack (Photo: Gerry)

CORAL GABLES -- While making one of our semi-regular pilgrimages to South Florida's cupcake nirvana, otherwise known as Buttercream, Pam spied another foodie institution that opened its doors in Florida: Shake Shack. Renowned in its home city of New York, where it got its start in 2004, the hamburger chain has since gone both national and international, including three South Florida locations. So we decided to see what all the fuss was about.

Located at 1450 South Dixie Highway, the decor is both contemporary and inviting. There is an outdoor area where pets are welcome -- we like that. Of course we had to try what they are famous for -- burgers and shakes, so we opted for the basic burger, one with cheese, one without, fries, Coke and a vanilla shake. The verdict? Delicious. The condiments were fresh and the meat flavorful and cooked just right. The shakes seemed a little pricey at $5.15, but worth it. Trust me.

A peek inside

One of the cool features of their web site is a real-time "Shake Cam" that shows you how long the line is for their Madison Square Park location in New York. Their other Florida eateries are in South Beach and Boca Raton. Cruising Squared says check it out! -- Gerry and Pam