Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Video: How Much Would You Pay To Skip The Shake Shack Line?
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jul 18, 2011
Modified Jul 18, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jul 18, 2011
Modified Jul 18, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The line outside of Shake Shack, especially the original flavor at Madison Square Park, is famously long. Way back in 2006 we even offered a few solutions for the dealing with the line. One of them (a webcam) was almost immediately adopted by the burger mecca, and five years later someone went and implemented another of our suggestions. Sort of. While we thought that the line was a great opportunity for some ambitious unemployed people, we guess bloggers have to eat as well?
See, the women at TheGloss apparently work just across the street from Madison Square Park so one day last week they decided to do a little experiment. They sent one editor down the line and then when they were almost ready to order an intern went and asked people at the end of the line what they would pay to be up front. After they named their price, they paid and moved on up. As you can see in the below video, TheGloss ladies "came out of this exercise with delicious burgers and shakes. And enough spare cash to feed a small group of friends."
We've reached out to Union Square Hospitality Group, which runs Shake Shack, to find out how they feel about line squatters making money off of their customers, but have yet to hear back. We can't imagine they are too upset about it, though—they get paid either way.
Tagged
madison square park
manhattan
shake shack
USHG
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Sep 12, 2026
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
Is it worth the high price and ridiculous wait? Gothamist needed to find out.
By
Sonia Rao
Food
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
Is it worth the high price and ridiculous wait? Gothamist needed to find out.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Can a congressional candidate's dumpling diplomacy win over Queens’ immigrant communities?
By
Caroline Shin
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .