Shake Shack has launched a new limited-time menu nationwide featuring pimento cheese, a spread traditionally associated with the Southern United States. The 'Clubhouse Pimento Cheese' menu, available from 31 March, includes a burger, a chicken sandwich, chicken bites and a side of the signature cheese spread. The offering was inspired by the famous pimento cheese sandwich served at the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia.
The menu debuted after a successful trial at an off-site Masters event last year. Shake Shack's CEO, Rob Lynch, who lives in Atlanta, reportedly noticed the popularity of pimento cheese in the region and suggested its inclusion. The chain's culinary team, led by Executive Chef and VP of Culinary Innovation John Karangis, developed the recipes, which feature the chain's own Shack cherry peppers instead of traditional pimentos.
Menu Details and Culinary Reception
The Clubhouse Pimento Cheese Burger is priced at $9.99. It consists of Shake Shack's classic quarter-pound patty with lettuce, tomato, ShackSauce, and the new pimento cheese. During a taste test, Karangis described the cherry peppers as having "a little heat, a little sweet, and acid from vinegar." However, initial reviews suggest the pimento cheese pairing on the burger received a mixed reception from testers.
More positively received was the Clubhouse Pimento Cheese Chicken Sandwich, also $9.99. This item features a breaded chicken fillet with lettuce, pickles, ShackSauce, and the pimento cheese. The tanginess of the cheese was noted to complement the pickles well, with the chicken's seasoning balancing the spread's flavour.
Additional Items and Ordering Notes
The menu is rounded out by Chicken Bites, available in a six-piece ($5.99) or ten-piece ($8.49) order, and a side of pimento cheese for $1.99. The side must be ordered in person and is not available for digital orders. While the crispy, peppery chicken bites were highly praised, pairing them with the thick pimento cheese spread was found to be less convenient, as it required a utensil to apply.
Shake Shack regularly updates its menu with seasonal, limited-time offerings every few months. The company has confirmed this pimento cheese range will be available for a limited period only, following its nationwide rollout on 31 March.