Westport Shake Shack Makes its Debut [Photos]

Hundreds of people attended an invitation-only reception marking the opening of the new Shake Shack restaurant at 1849 Post Road East on Tuesday night.

The “modern day burger stand,” which serves burgers, hot dogs, fries, milkshakes, custard, beer, wine and more, officially opens today, Wednesday, July 20. Restaurant hours are Sunday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Town officials including First Selectman Gordon Joseloff and Director of Planning & Zoning Laurence Bradley came to the the event, which was so heavily attended that a police officer was hired to direct traffic and people had to park across the Post Road.

Throughout the night people milled around the newly-renovated restaurant (formerly the Pho Mekong Thai-Vietnamese Noodle House and Restaurant), which sports an open floor plan and a large outdoor deck with seating for about 20 (the restaurant seats about 100 total). As people ate, drank and networked they were entertained by live music from members of The Crooners.

Best of all, an enthusiastic (and apparently full-force) restaurant staff kept a constant flow of delicious burgers, fries and shakes streaming out the bustling kitchen, as beer, wine and other refreshments flowed freely from service bars set up outside and in.

Shake Shack, owned by restaurateur Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group, also has four locations in New York City, as well as locations in Miami and Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Patch will have additional coverage on the long-anticipated opening of this new business later this week.