Shake Shack to Open its First-Ever Location in Iowa in 2028
A popular and often acclaimed fast-casual restaurant chain is opening its first location in Iowa come 2028.
The Des Moines Register confirmed that Shake Shack is opening its first-ever Iowa location at Penn Entertainment's new Hollywood Casino Hotel in Council Bluffs. It is a land-based replacement for the long-standing Ameristar riverboat on the Missouri River.
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Inside Shake Shack Coming to Iowa:
With Shake Shack coming to Iowa, the Hawkeye State will finally be able to enjoy a ShackBurger. The restaurant's entry into Iowa comes as Penn Entertainment is redeveloping the Council Bluffs casino campus via relocation, per The Des Moines Register.
The new Hollywood Casino Hotel will be built beside the existing Ameristar pavilion and hotel, with gaming, dining, and entertainment all built into one establishment. Construction began in September with an 18-to-24-month timeline, hence Shake Shack's projected opening being in 2028.
Shake Shack will be one of two new restaurants inside the casino, with the other being Red Lotus, a fast-casual Asian restaurant that serves made-to-order noodles and other Southeast Asian cuisine. Per The Des Moines Register, Ameristar's 160+ hotel rooms, 1853 Bistro & Steakhouse, The Sportsbook Restaurant & Bar, Club 38 VIP Lounge, and The Buffet will remain open.
What is Shake Shack?:
Shake Shack has long been revered for taking classic American fare — including 100% Angus beef burgers, crinkle-cut fries, hot dogs, and frozen custard shakes — and elevating it to modern dining standards. The chain specializes in high-quality ingredients and a made-to-order concept.
The chain's signature ShackBurger, a cheeseburger topped with lettuce, tomato, and the tangy ShackSauce, which has a cult following in itself. The chain was started by Danny Meyer as a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park in New York City in 2001, where it drew long lines. Eventually, it grew to a permanent kiosk in 2004, expanded across New York, and by 2015, now operates more than 700 locations worldwide.
Find out more about Shake Shack coming to Iowa for the first time in its history on The Des Moines Register's website.
Photos: Northeast Iowa's Yellow River State Forest
Gallery Credit: Tom Ehlers