What’s new in Shake Shack’s pimento cheese burger?

Shake Shack drops a pimento-cheese comeback—without pimentos

Shake Shack introduced two new menu items built around a pimento-cheese flavor profile, but with a twist: the chain “made pimento cheese, then decided the pimentos had to go.” Instead of pimentos, the new Clubhouse Pimento Cheese Burger and Clubhouse Pimento Cheese Chicken Sandwich are described as featuring sharp cheddar mixed with chopped… and then other components that give the familiar tangy, creamy impression customers expect from pimento cheese.

Why this matters for diners: pimento cheese is typically defined by the sweetness and mild peppery character of pimentos folded into cheddar and mayonnaise or similar creamy bases. Shake Shack’s change suggests the restaurant is aiming for the same comfort-food punch—cheddar-forward, savory, and creamy—while altering the ingredient that can be polarizing for some customers who don’t like the taste or texture of pimentos.

For anyone ordering for a group, the update also frames what to expect. If you like pimento cheese for its sharp cheddar flavor, the substitution likely keeps the core taste but changes the garnish/vegetable element. If you specifically want pimentos, the items are explicitly positioned as removing them, so the classic experience may be slightly different.

The story doesn’t provide more granular details such as exact condiment mix, breading composition for the chicken item, or full nutritional information. But the menu message is clear: Shake Shack is branding the new items as pimento-cheese-inspired while steering the flavor toward cheddar and away from the pepper ingredient itself.

In short, it’s a fast-food iteration of a Southern classic—rebalanced to keep the vibe, simplified by removing pimentos.