Shaka Shack celebrating second anniversary Sept. 17-19

Shaka Shack will hold its Second Anniversary Celebration Friday thru Sunday, Sept. 17 to 19, with hours from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday. Shaka Shack was first opened Sept. 19, 2019, by Clay Reynolds.

For the anniversary weekend, Shaka Shack will have food specials, drawings, giveaways and coupons plus free Shaka Shack Scratch Off Tickets, and patrons can stop by Prickly Gal for some awesome shopping.

Why the name Shaka? Shaka is a hand gesture in which the thumb and little finger are extended outward from a closed fist. It is used as a greeting or to express approval, solidarity and more.

In the 1960s, surfers adopted the Shaka sign from Hawaiians, and it has spread around the world as part of the surf culture.  Reynolds is a man of few words and an avid surfer, and the Shaka represents the positive, laid-back vibe he exudes. 

Shaka Shack offers delicious local fare that hungry surfers can afford. The recipes are family traditions, time tested and delicious. Shaka Shack is a takeout restaurant, but patrons are welcome to dine outside on Shaka Shack’s picnic tables which are located on a sandy beach-like ground. Custom-made decorative surfboards nearby make for a great photo op, and cornhole games are available.

Shaka Shack can prepare large amounts of grub for parties. Its Party Menu consists of larger-size quantities of items, and some items not on the regular menu.

Many of the recipes Reynolds is using were passed down from his grandparents.  His maternal grandparents, Margaret and Sanford Justice, in the early 1970s started Pitchcroft Restaurant on Smith Island, Ewell, Md. Shaka Shack’s menu includes Eastern Shore recipes from his grandparents’ restaurant, including the delicious Smith Island Cake.  Reynolds’ paternal grandparents, from Laurel, were also excellent cooks and their recipes have been passed down too. Reynolds sticks to traditional Eastern Shore cooking including seafood staples like crab cakes, soft-shell crabs, oysters, shrimp and fish, but also puts his own modern spin on many of the dishes, like his delicious fish and shrimp tacos, and various wraps.

The Smith Island Cakes are all made on premises. They are nine thin layers of cake between layers of icing, traditionally yellow cake with chocolate fudge icing. It is Maryland’s official state dessert. 

Shaka Shack offers many other flavors of cakes and icings by the slice or whole cake. Shaka Shack will have several Smith Island Cakes available for grab and go but will also do custom orders with at least 24 hours’ notice. Shaka’s cake balls also hit the spot.

Shaka Shack offers daily specials which are usually posted on its Facebook page, but feel free to call for specials. Patrons can call in an order, use the Clover app to order online, or have Door Dash deliver.

Shaka Shack is at 35308 Atlantic Ave., Millville, next to Prickly Gal Boutique and Surf Shop. For more information, call 302-604-0858, go to shakashack.business.site.