Shake Shack began as a hot dog cart in which New York City park?

Shake Shack began as a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park in New York City.

The cart appeared in 2001 as part of efforts surrounding the redevelopment of Madison Square Park. Restaurateur Danny Meyer helped spearhead the Madison Square Park Conservancy, and Randy Garutti, then a director of operations for Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group, established the cart. It was supplied from the kitchen of Eleven Madison Park.

The cart was intended to support an art exhibition and promote the park’s renewal, not to launch a major restaurant chain. Its popularity grew steadily, however, and it remained in operation for nearly three years. When New York City later sought bids for a permanent kiosk, Meyer proposed a restaurant concept based on the successful cart.

The first permanent Shake Shack opened in the park in July 2004. It expanded the offering from New York-style hot dogs to burgers, fries, frozen custard, and milkshakes. The location is sometimes confused with other famous Manhattan parks, but Madison Square Park is the specific birthplace of the Shake Shack brand.