Shake Shack’s New Burger Gives McDonald’s Some Serious Competition

There are a few fast food items that will always be iconic: a Wendy’s Frosty, KFC’s original recipe fried chicken with signature 11 herbs and spices, and, of course, a McDonald’s Big Mac. Generation after generation has been singing the Big Mac song, “Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun,” since the ‘70s. And who among us hasn’t tried to find a way to recreate the beloved Big Mac Sauce at home?

While the Big Mac remains a fan favorite on the McDonald’s menu, many chains have tried to outdo the original over the years, including Chili’s Big Smasher and Burger King’s since-discontinued Big King.

And now, another chain is coming for Mickey D’s Big Mac crown: Shake Shack.

Shake Shack Adds New Big Shack Burger To Menus

Shake Shack is releasing its biggest burger ever, the Big Shack. While it may look like something from the Golden Arches, it’s done the Shack way, meaning it’s 100 percent made to order and piled high with high-quality ingredients.

The Big Shack features two half-pound Angus beef patties topped with melted American cheese, green leaf lettuce, Roma tomatoes, onions, pickles, and a new, tangy secret sauce. The creamy secret sauce (that looks very similar to McDonald’s) is slathered on two buttered, toasted potato buns—and the whole burger features an extra bun nestled in the center, just like a Big Mac stack.

Shake Shack’s take on the iconic fast food burger is joining menus on Nov. 4, where it will be sold for $9.99. The extra-large Big Shack isn’t even that much more expensive than a classic Big Mac, which cost an average of anywhere from $4.67 to $6.72, according to CashNetUSA, but can cost up to $18, since McDonald’s franchises can set their own prices.

The bold new burger joins Shake Shack’s current lineup of autumn French onion menu items, including the French Onion Soup Burger, French Onion ‘Shroom Burger, French Onion Shack Stack, Parmesan Garlic Fries, and Onion Rings. And just like the rest of the fall menu, it will only be available for a limited time.

One question remains: Does Shake Shack’s new Big Shack live up to the nostalgic flavor of a Big Mac? Only a true side-by-side taste test can answer that once and for all—and we volunteer as tribute.