It’s the end of Grease, and Sandy and Danny are dancing that iconic scene—you know, the one where they shimmy back and forth on a funfair ride? That, we all remember. But the part you may or may not recall is the words to the side of them on that ride, but we’ll help you out. It read: Shake Shack. Yep, it turns out, the 1978 classic inspired the name of one of America’s favorite fast-casual restaurant chains.
But while the school of the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies was inspired by the ‘50s, Shake Shack (the brand, not the ride) is all about the here and now. That’s why, as more Americans reach for meat- and dairy-free options, the restaurant chain recently added meatless items to its menu. It’s still (very) far from being a plant-based paradise, however. Here’s what you need to know.
Does Shake Shack have vegan options?
Shack Shack—which has approximately 400 locations in the US, and more than 200 international outposts—has experimented with vegan options in recent years. In April 2021, for example, the chain teamed up with Pinky Cole Hayes (the founder of the popular Atlanta vegan fast-food chain Slutty Vegan) to launch a limited-edition plant-based sandwich in Atlanta called the SluttyShack.
The collaboration was part of Shake Shack’s Now Serving collaboration series, which saw the chain work with a number of top chefs, including Dominique Crenn and Junghyun Park. As you might expect, Cole’s burger featured her signature sauce Slut Dust, as well as a veggie patty, and a toasted Hawaiian bun.
Shake Shack
BECOME A VEGNEWS VIP: Get exclusive product deals, freebies, and perks galore!
In 2023, another Shake Shack collaboration brought two new vegan items to the menu. The chain’s collaboration with Chile-based food tech company NotCo resulted in Non-Dairy Chocolate Custard and Non-Dairy Chocolate Shake. Vegan dessert in a fast-casual setting? It was revolutionary … while it lasted.
Sadly, all of these vegan options were short lived, and are no longer on the menu today. However, hungry vegans can still enjoy a bite to eat at Shake Shack with a few modifications.
Vegan options at Shack Shack US
Shake Shack isn’t the most vegan-friendly mainstream chain, but there are a few options for plant-based eaters.
Shake Shack
1 Veggie Shack (with alterations!)
In May 2023, Shake Shack rolled out its Veggie Shack burger—which is made with vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, and quinoa—to all of its US locations. “We take a fine-dining approach to culinary innovation and spent five years testing and refining our new Veggie Shack with our culinary team,” said former chief marketing officer Jay Livingston at the time. “It’s packed with garden-variety vegetables and powered by farro and quinoa for a crave-able, substantial bite.”
While the option always comes meatless, it isn’t free of animal products. But that said, vegans can still order the menu item with (quite a few) alterations. You’ll need to request it without cheese, crispy onions, or the Shack Sauce, and swap the bun for a gluten-free bun (which is also vegan) or a lettuce wrap. And there you have it! A vegan-friendly Veggie Shack meal.
Shake Shack
2 Fries
It’s not a real fast-food meal unless you have the obligatory portion of fries. And we have great news: Shake Shack’s iconic crispy, crinkle cut fries are vegan. However, just one note: If you’re concerned about cross-contamination through shared cooking equipment with meat, make sure to double-check with your server before you order.
Shake Shack
3Lemonades and soft drinks
In addition to standard soft drink options found at most restaurants, Shake Shack also offers housemade lemonades in a variety of flavors. Sweetened with cane sugar, classic lemonade, strawberry, and pomegranate sweet basil are just a few of the options on offer. For a bit of caffeine, go for the Fifty/Fifty lemonades, which add iced tea to the mix.
For more plant-based stories like this, read:
JUMP TO ... Latest News | Recipes | Guides | Health | Subscribe
Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
