Shake Shack Expanding NJ Presence With 2 New Restaurants: Here's Where And When

NEW JERSEY — In the mood for Shake Shack? Many New Jerseyans need to take a lengthy drive to satisfy that craving. But the fast-casual chain hopes to alleviate that with plans to bring two more locations to the state.

Shake Shack will open restaurants at Edison's Menlo Park Mall and Jersey City's Historic Downtown Special Improvement District. The burger chain has an expected opening date of Dec. 3 in Edison, while Shake Shack anticipates that its first eatery in New Jersey's second-largest city will open in late 2022 or early 2023.

The business began in 2001 as a hot dog cart at Manhattan's Madison Square Park. Three years later, it moved to a stand in the park and expanded its menu from New York-style hot dogs to one with burgers, fries and milkshakes.

Shake Shack began with no intention to become a chain. But after opening a single shop in New York City in 2004, the ownership group saw growing sales as a sign it could expand.

The chain currently has 13 New Jersey locations, according to its website. Unfortunately for South Jerseyans craving the burgers, hot dogs or milkshakes, none of the Jersey joints are south of Philadelphia.

The Historic Downtown Special Improvement District's Instagram paged announced the upcoming Shake Shack arrival in mid-June. The restaurant will go across from the Grove Path Plaza.

The restaurant will feature a "Walk Up Window," which allows customers to preorder on the Shake Shack app and pick up their food by walking up to a window on the establishment's exterior, according to a company spokesperson. Read more: Shake Shack Confirms It Will Open New Location In Jersey City

The Shake Shack in Edison will be located opposite Seasons 52. Read more: Shake Shack Opening New Location In Edison

With reporting from Sarah Salvadore and Caren Lissner/Patch staff.