Shake Shack’s Newest Menu Item Is the Best Fast Food I’ve Tried All Year

There aren’t that many fast food chains that serve hot dogs alongside their classic burgers and fries. But, while those restaurants are busy perfecting their latest Whopper or offering a new value burgerchains like Portillo’s, Sonicand Five Guys are focused on giving customers a chance to experience the humble hot dog in a new way. Shake Shack is certainly in the latter group.

Shake Shack may not be known for its hot dogs today, but the chain actually started as a hot dog cart in New York City. Because of that, the fast food chain has always offered a hot dog on its menu—and much like the Shack’s shakes and burgersit’s unique.

Shake Shack has a proprietary cooking method for its 100% Vienna Beef Chicago dogs, which starts by cutting the hot dog down the middle, then grilling it cut side down. Its Flat Top Dogs are served at all Shake Shack locations and can be ordered plain or topped with cheese sauce, bacon, cherry peppers, and crispy onions for an additional charge.

Now, after years of selling the American favorite, Shake Shack is introducing an entire limited-time hot dog menu for the first time ever.

Shake Shack Launches New Dog Days Menu

This summer, Shake Shack is adding five all-new hot dogs as part of its Dog Days menu. Shake Shack’s new menu adds all the classic favorites to its hot dogslike cheese sauce, onions, pickles, and chili—but in its own special Shake Shack way, of course.

The menu includes a new Angus Beef Chili Dog topped with Angus beef chili and crispy onions; a High Heat Dog finished with melted Cheddar and American cheese, a spicy blend of cayenne, garlic, and paprika, and hot cherry peppers; a Fried Pickle Dog made with fried picklesbacon, and melted Cheddar and American cheese; a Crispy Onion Cheese Dog loaded with melted Cheddar and American cheese and crispy onions; and an Angus Beef Chili Cheese Dog that adds melted Cheddar and American cheese to the Angus Beef Chili Dog. All five new hot dogs are served on toasted potato buns.

Shake Shack’s new hot dogs are hitting menus on July 15, where they’ll be available at all locations—except those in airports, stadiums, arenas, travel plazas, and museums—for a limited time. The Dog Days hot dogs are priced between $4.99 and $7.99, depending on the build; however, Shake Shack is running a promo that lets you get two hot dogs, either classic or LTO, for just $8.

I tried Shake Shack’s entire Dog Days menu early, and here is my honest review.

My Honest Review of Shake Shack’s Dog Days Menu

I’ll be honest, if I’m hitting the Shack, I’m going right in for a ShackBurger and custardy shake—so, I didn’t even see the hot dog on the menu. But, after trying the new Dog Days menu, I will be taking notice from now on.

If you like a pickle on your hot dog, the fried pickles on the Fried Pickle Dog take it up another notch. I don’t know why we haven’t been putting crispy, crunchy fried pickles on hot dogs up until now. And, if you’re a spice lover, like myself, you’ll love the High Heat Dog. It’s the perfect balance of heat with a good amount of cheese to cool things off—and it has a nice crunch from the actual peppers themselves.

Every single new hot dog was delicious, though, of course, I had to pick a favorite: the Angus Beef Chili Cheese Dog. The chili on the dog is absolutely incredible. The flavor is delicious and I love it with the cheese. To be honest, though, I might take the crispy onions off just because I don’t think it needs them. Instead of the onions, and to add some heat, I’d add the chopped cherry peppers for the ultimate summer hot dog.

It turns out that I’ve been sleeping on Shake Shack’s hot dogs, so, I urge you, don’t make the same mistake I did and go try one ASAP. I promise you won’t be disappointed by these limited-time dogs.