Shake Shack Built on Frozen Royalty.

Shake Shack

364 North Main Street (Route 191)
Monticello, Utah, 84535

Phone: (435) 587-2966

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/frosteezshakeshack

Hours of Operation: Tuesday - Saturday; 12pm to 9pm

I first reviewed Shake Shack in August 2011, and I've got good news and good news.  First, the good news is that Shake Shack is still open every year during the warmer months.  Second, the good news is that the service, food, ice cream products and 1950s atmosphere is still going strong.

After the sale of the “Bailey and Wood Market”, Ralph Arthur Bailey needed a new venture. In 1954, the Dairy Queen Company was offering franchises throughout the United States. With his experience with freezers and food sales, Ralph decided bringing ice cream to Monticello would be a great idea, and he was correct. Monticello’s Dairy Queen (original address 612 North Main Street) opened that year; a simple walk up to the window store that offered up soft serve cones or in cups, and other frozen treats.

In 1972, Ralph passed on; the store was purchased by Jan and Grayson Redd; 1975 the interior dining room was added to the building. Their relationship with Dairy Queen ended in 1987; Shake Shack was born, but here’s a nifty piece of history for you…they are still using the original ice cream maker from 1954! The ice cream and dining menus built up over the years, and it was in 2007 that the Redds decided it was time to go on a diet. The parents of Teresa Brooks purchased the Shack, but quickly sold it off to their daughter and she is still running it today…thank you Teresa!


The Shake Shack is reminiscent of those 50s style diners where you can still get a burger, fries, with a drink or shake, and not leave your wallet empty. It's the type of place where you can sit down with friends and/or family, enjoy a good meal or just dessert; not feel rushed out or unwelcome. The menu is not huge in variety which is fine as it gives Teresa, and her friendly staff, the benefit of getting orders done up quickly and correctly. Another important point, the beef for burgers, potatoes for fries, and ice cream ingredients are locally sourced through Blue Mountain Meats.

Enough history, let’s get to the good stuff; the food and desserts! All food is cooked to order, not premade and sitting under a heat lamp; burgers are juicy half pounders with a variety of toppings offered, even an old fashioned patty melt. Chicken sandwiches, grilled sandwiches, hot dogs, French or curly fries, and the yummiest onion rings. 

Mushroom Melt, Patty Melt, Onion Rings, French Fries

Inside the Patty Melt
 

So, you already know that the soft serve is still made with the original Dairy Queen machine from 1954. But did you know that the shakes are thick, hand mixed and…wait for it…above the rim!?! Dairy Queen’s Blizzards may have started the trend, but Shake Shack has perfected it with real pieces of fruit, and cake, yes, cake! Take, for example, the raspberry cheesecake shake; real chopped up raspberries and cheesecake pieces…cheesecake!!! Not in the mood for a shake, how about a whopping banana split, sundae, float or freezer? Soft serve or hard served, the ice cream is awesomely great in a cone or dish. You so want to try out the newest item on the menu, homemade waffle cones; crunchy goodness! Teresa loves to play inventor and come up with winning combinations for our taste buds.

Real Cheesecake pieces folded into the shake.

Built on ice cream royalty, Dairy Queen; Shake Shack is proving to locals and visitors alike that a brand name can be outdone when you love and enjoy what you do.

Mary Cokenour