📍Harlem Shake, New York City

I’ve ordered from Harlem Shake before, but I couldn't write about it until I physically went. I was in the area on a Sunday evening. I scrolled around Maps looking for a place to grab dinner. This was the time. I walked right over. The location is on the corner of a busy block near the (infamous) Whole Foods.

I don't know how busy it gets during the day or at other times, but it looks set up for longer lines at times. From the entrance I used, the order counter was on the right with some counter space on the left and right before the register. Indoor seating was straight back, and the condiment counter and outdoor seating were to the left. The outdoor seating looked to be 2-3x the size of the indoor seating. They have pass-around menus and a path that leads out of the store. I stepped up to the counter and ordered.

There's a lot going on at Harlem Shake. There's a kind of energy you just don't really feel at a burger place. There are people waiting for their orders. There are delivery couriers waiting to whisk away orders. People are walking in and out. The playlist of early 2000s Hip Hop and R&B even has some people dancing their way from the counter to condiment station to table. A quick look around, and you'll see people engaged in joyous conversation and daily celebration.

They have a few different fries on the menu including these jerk spiced fries served with jerk mayo. These came piping hot with generously applied jerk seasoning. They're rustic cut with crisp outsides and fluffy insides. This was not a lightweight jerk seasoning, it had some heat you could feel. While it lacked some of the fruitiness you might find in some jerk preparations, it had that signature smoked earthy flavor. The mayo had the same seasoning so there was no relief.