DEWITT, N.Y. (NCC News) — Shake Shack opened its first stand-alone Central New York location on Erie Boulevard on Wednesday, Oct. 15, drawing long lines of customers to the former Friendly’s site that had sat vacant for six years.
The restaurant at 3275 Erie Blvd. E. attracted customers throughout the day, with lines stretching the length of the building. The chain’s only other location in the region is inside a rest stop on Interstate 90.
Syracuse University mascot Otto the Orange and members of the cheer team greeted arriving customers. The restaurant gave out tote bags to attendees.
Valentina Curry, a self-described Shake Shack fan, said she was pleased with her first visit to the new location.
“The food was delicious. I will probably be back for dinner with my family,” Curry said.
Syracuse resident Rhonda Hayes ordered the French onion soup burger, garlic fries and a raspberry bubble tea.
“I came to get a pistachio shake, but I found out that’s not on the menu,” Hayes said. “That’s okay because they have a burger I want and fries I want and they also have a bubble tea.”
NCC News reached out to Shake Shack’s general manager for comment but was unable to secure an interview.
The opening follows the August debut of a Chick-fil-A across the street, bringing two national chains to the Erie Boulevard corridor. The town of DeWitt received approval from the New York State Department of Transportation to install a traffic light at the Erie Boulevard and Bridge Street intersection to manage increased traffic.
Shake Shack is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
AUDIO TRANSCRIPT: Shake Shack opens
Payton Mitchell: It has been six years since Friendly’s served its last customer here on Erie Boulevard. Today, Shake Shack is bringing new life to the location with its grand opening. Syracuse native Rhonda Hayes says she came to Shake Shack for the burgers and fries.
Rhonda Hayes, Syracuse resident: “So I came to the Shake Shack to get a pistachio shake, but I found out that that is not on the menu. It’s okay though because they have a burger that I want, they have some fries that I want and they have a bubble tea.”
Payton Mitchell: Shake Shack enthusiast Valentina Curry says the food was amazing.
Valentina Curry, Shake Shack customer: “The service was absolutely excellent. The food was delicious. I am a Shake Shack fan. Wherever I go I try to see if there is a Shake Shack. It was hot, it was fresh, it was absolutely delicious.”
Payton Mitchell: Reporting from Shake Shack’s grand opening in DeWitt, I’m Payton Mitchell, NCC News.