We were excited to attend the media preview of the opening of Shake Shack Winter Park: mostly because there was valet parking. The first outpost of the legendary burger chain is at 119 N. Orlando Ave., or as locals have come to call it in the last month, the Trader Joe’s parking lot from hell. But you know what? You should just try to get over the parking fears. Park nearby and take a leisurely stroll to the Shack, because the burgers (and the frozen custard concretes, mmm) really are that good.

Shake Shack is now open to the public.
119 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, FL 32789
Hours: 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Sunday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Friday-Saturday
Shake Shack Winter Park website

07/29/2014
Welcome, burger lovers … your happy place just landed in Winter Park.
As soon as we stepped in, the food started coming. Here, a tray of classic Shackburgers.
Shackburger: juicy grilled patty, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce and Shack sauce.
Behind the Shake Shack, hang out in Adirondack chairs or wander out onto the dock. Just don’t feed the ducks.
It was pretty crowded at this opening, but there will be room for you (it’s parking you need to worry about, maybe).
We didn’t taste this, and we can’t figure out what it is from the menu (chicken dog, maybe?) but it looks tasty. Fries here are crinkle-cut, not hand-cut like they are at other Shake Shack locations.
Local band Out Go the Lights played at the media opening.
For the cheese lovers: the Shroomburger, a deep-fried whole portobello stuffed with melted cheese.
Shake Shack CEO and hospitality-industry god Danny Meyer and friend try out Gifn, the “photo booth of the future.”
Beverage options include local-ish brew Cigar City Jai Alai.
Key lime pie custard concrete: very rich frozen custard swirled with Key lime pie (sourced from local bakeshop P Is for Pie.)
Tara Gould of P Is for Pie points out her shop’s contribution to the Shake Shack menu.
Shake Shack Winter Park’s back patio boasts not just a beautiful view, but also a slammin’ ping-pong table.
Shake Shack branded paddle.
The area behind the restaurant is a surprisingly pleasant hangout, with benches, sculptures and even a glider.
Sunset over Lake Killarney.
We caught a shot of the foodie behind the Droolius camera (and one of the biggest Shake Shack fans in Central Florida): Hi, Julius!