Suburban Shack Attack: Burger Joint Plans to Open in Skokie Mall

Will suburbanites form long lines when Shake Shack opens later this year in Skokie? The burger chain's third Chicago-area restaurant is slated to open in the Westfield Old Orchard Mall, as first reported by Crain's.

Shake Shack will claim part of the Talbot's clothing store at 4999 Old Orchard Center. Together with Blaze Pizza, which opened in November, these options provide an upgrade from the typical mall food court. Shake Shack's entrance will be on the inner-facing part of the outdoor mall, across from Macy's. Old Orchard is a North Shore favorite, and was even mentioned in the Tina Fey classic Mean Girls. The restaurant will open with a large patio, a spokeswoman said.

Skokie marks Shake Shack's third post in the Chicago market, entering the city in November at 66 E. Ohio St. A second shack is scheduled to open this summer at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel.

A Shake Shack spokeswoman didn't say if the menu would differ from other locations. Shake Shack localizes the menus at its 66 restaurants across the globe with unique items. Chicago's River North location includes a sandwich made from Publican sausage and a shake made with Bang Bang Pie. The New York favorite, started by Danny Meyer, continues to grow. Earlier this year, parent company Union Square Hospitality Group Shake Shack went public.