Shake Shack 3 with Evan Susser

"Shake Shack 3 with Evan Susser" is Episode 379 of *Doughboys*, hosted by Nick Wiger and Mike Mitchell. "Shake Shack 3 with Evan Susser" was released on December 16, 2022.

## Synopsis

Commissioner Evan Susser (*Killing It, Fist Fight, Brooklyn Nine-Nine*) joins the 'boys to air some grievances about the podcast before a review of Shake Shack in the seventh annual steak-and-a-shake year-end tradition. Plus, Slop Quiz: Holidough Foods edition.

## Nick's intro

*“Can you imagine an Andrew Carnegie or a Cornelius Vanderbilt seeking a cadre of consultants on whether they should buy a steel mill or buy a railroad?”*

This was Sardar Biglari at a 2020 shareholders meeting for his eponymous holding company, as quoted by Patrick Danner for *MySA*. The meeting, held in person in San Antonio during the height of the COVID pandemic, was typical hubristic bluster for Biglari, the man who became an infamous figure in the chain-restaurant industry with his 2008 hostile takeover of beloved Illinois-founded burger joint Steak ‘n Shake. Biglari streamlined operations, slashing the menu and eliminating table service at new Steak 'n Shake by Biglari locations — yes, his name’s on the signage — as part of a quixotic global expansion of the regional midwest favorite. But now, a decade and a half into his stewardship, the bulk of those new locations have shuttered, including splashy flagship stores in New York City and Dubai, and the company is downward spiraling like a vertically held curly fry.

But meanwhile, another once regional fast-casual burger concept that puts shakes in the spotlight has continued its rapid growth worldwide. Founded by New York City restaurant magnate Danny Meyer in 2005, the counter-service chain with sit-down prices has attracted a loyal following through its high-quality fare and regional/seasonal offerings.

But in its omnipresence, is it in danger of losing its magic in the same way as Sardar Biglari’s Steak 'n Shake shit show?

This week, on the final new *Doughboys* of 2022… we return to Shake Shack.

## Fork rating

The Doughboys have reviewed Shake Shack two prior times. First, in 2017, when Nick gave it 4.5 forks and Mitch 5. It made the Golden Plate Club. Then in 2021, they returned and Nick gave it 3 forks and Mitch 4, and it was removed from the Golden Plate Club.

Shake Shack was also a last-minute entrant in the 2016 **Tournament of Chompions: Burger Braw**l, where it initially defeated Five Guys, then somehow defeated Wendy's, before falling in the Finals to In-N-Out (and Wendy's).

	+ no bacon
* Hot Ones Cheese Fries
* Hot Dog
* Chocolate Milk & Cookies Shake
 Mike Mitchell
* Concord Grape Punch
* Silverlake Burger (Double)
* Cheese Fries
* Chocolate Milk & Cookies Shake
 Evan Susser
* Silverlake Burger (Double)
* Fries
* Chocolate Peppermint Shake
* Chocolate Milk & Cookies Shake [for Susser's wife]
 Mitch and Susser shared

## Slop Quiz: Holidough Foods edition

In Slop Quiz, Nick presents a food-related exam (pop quiz) and Mitch and the guest compete for superiority.

This week is a multiple-choice test focused on trivia about holiday foods.

Mitch and Susser tie! Happy holidays!

## CommissionImpossible: Fallout

As it tends to do, Susser's presence triggers a deep discussion about the State of the Podcast, the Doughboys' personality clashes, dreams for the podcast, scheduling, professional goals, and the like. It gets emotional. The podcast doesn't seem to be in any danger, but it feels like these occasional "fallouts" are necessary from time to time.

## #hashtags

* #DropFromTheGrave or #RoastFromBeyond
* #TheFallingOut or #CommissionImpossible:TheFallout
* #AllMIxedUpNot311

## The Feedbag

* yogurt-covered pretzels
 Mike Mitchell
 Evan Susser

## Photos

Hot One Cheese Fries and Hot One Chicken SandwichHot DogHot One Chicken SandwichSilverlake Burger (Double)Yuzu Orange Cider, Concord Grape Punch, and FriesChocolate Milk & Cookies ShakeThe Falling Out