Shaka Shack: A Burger You Should Know About

By Elina Shatkin Tue., Feb. 14 2012 at 12:09 PM

There's skill on the grill at Shaka Shack, an island-themed burger joint on the south side of Santa Monica College. Tricked out with mismatched vintage furniture, moai figurines and a wall-sized print of a dreamy island sunset, Shaka Shack has the laid-back vibe of a beachside café -- but with far better burgers than any touristy beachside spot.

After a yearlong permitting ordeal (de rigueur for local eateries, it seems), Shaka Shack finally opened in late November. It's easy to see why it quickly won over locals. It's the best kind of neighborhood restaurant, festive but mellow, with food that's consistently good and affordable. If the burgers are a cut above what you might expect from such a joint, it's likely because owners Michael Anapol and Kathie Gibboney brought in former Ma Maison chef Lisa Stalvey to do the recipes.

The basic burger is a quarter-pound Angus beef patty -- neither fast-food-thin nor thick as the gastropub hockey-puck burger -- served on a sweet bun reminiscent of an overgrown King's Hawaiian roll. The meat is nicely grilled, the toppings simple and classic: iceberg lettuce, tomato and a secret sauce that adds a subtle sweet and tangy kick. At $4.95 ($6.95, if you want the double), it's a deal.

Shaka Shack also has more elaborate offerings: a burger topped with bacon, Swiss cheese and barbecue sauce, a salmon burger with soy mayo, a chicken burger topped with a light cabbage slaw and a black bean burger for vegetarians. None of the burgers costs more than $7.50, except the Kobe Kahuna -- made with Kobe beef and topped with portobello mushrooms, wasabi mayo and Swiss cheese -- which sells for $12.50, still well under the cost of a typical gourmet burger.

The fries, thick and nicely browned, are good too, whether served plain or generously laden with Parmesan.

We love deals, and Shaka Shack has one of the best, serving up near-gourmet burgers at budget eatery prices.

Follow Squid Ink at @LAWeeklyFood and check out our Facebook page. Follow the author at @ElinaShatkin or contact her at eshatkin@laweekly.com.

Location Info

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Shaka Shack

1701 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica, CA

Category: Restaurant

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Tags:

Burger, Elina Shatkin, Kathie Gibboney, Lisa Stalvey, Ma Maison, Michael Anapol, Santa Monica, Shaka Shack

We Recommend

Loriprecious

i like the salmon burgers, the sauces are yummy. oh and the parmesan fries are to die for.been back a bunch of times with the kids. luv the tiki vibe.

Danielwrite

Great burgers! Not sure why other people didn't like them, but I guess if you think McDonalds makes good food, you wouldn't be happy here. There's real love put into these burgers, and very clever mixing of ingredients. These are certainly not your ordinary boring burgers, and they won't set you back an arm and a leg on cost. And the fries are great! I like their crispiness... unilke most places these aren't wet and greasy, and they are seasoned just great. Run, don't walk, to Shaka Shack and get in on the ground floor of the best new place to have burgers in Santa Monica.

Tink

Love their burgers! Highly recommend!

jazzy

Hey so the owner was one of the finalist on that show "the Chopping block" on NBC where you got to open a restaurant. I knew he (Michael) looked firmilar. You and Lisa should have won, that was so apparent. Glad you opened a resturant in my hood! Where are those 2 bitchy sisters now??

Sarah_jackson

hey dick head why do you have slam the sisters i thought this article is about the burger joint.

Jazzy

I love their food! And I try something different every time. They did take a long time to open, I guess that's the way the city of Santa Monica. (BAD!) The location is the old Sunset grill, so the bar was high in the neighborhood. I've been there a lot since they opened last year and the place just gets better and better!! It is a family run place and it is amusing to watch while you wait in the wonderful atmosphere! For those of you who have posted bad reviews here I suggest you give it another try. As far as I concerned this is the best deal in town! They serve gourmet burgers at budget prices. And now they are open on Sundays... breakfast anyone?

Puppetgirl

This place is soooo cool! The 2 veggie burgers are so delicious!! Can't decide which one I like better. Never tasted anything like them. And the crisp fries have improved since opening and are perfection now. I dream about the place and crave to go there! Also it is always a lot of fun to see what the charming lady owner is wearing that day! She's a very creative dresser that does not disappoint! The Tiki surf vibe in their Burger lounge is unique like yummy eye candy! 50's couches, lava lamps and tiki Gods! a five star recommend!*****

Stonerchickk310

and their french fries are dry and overcooked

Stonerchickk310

I have to agree, these burgers are TERRIBLE

Alex Del Zoppo

This place took forever to open, but was worth the wait. Good burgers & old fashioned fries. Even the basic ones are really tasty. But the bacon, Swiss with BBQ sauce is getting to be my favorite.

Stalveylisa

theres always a miserable person with their 2 cents. The burgers are great.

Hadley

Quite the contrary, Lisa Stalvey. I am generally one very happy person who loves to eat. I was looking forward to trying your burgers at Shaka Shack for a long time and was disappointed with the results. I very much trust Elina Shatkin's opinion and will likely try Shaka Shack again based on her rec.

Hadley

The burger I had here abut two weeks ago was far from recommendable. I was disappointed and couldn't even finish it. I felt I must have made a big mistake thinking a $4.95 burger would have something to say for itself and not ordering the Kobe Kahuna burger. Glad to hear you had a better experience.