Remember back in the 2010s when it seemed like bacon was everywhere and everyone was going crazy for it? Bacon made its way onto donuts, into cocktails and became the subject of festivals (ahem, PA Bacon Fest in Easton, anyone?). These days, online and on our plates, cheese is getting all the love. Obsession with this dairy delight seems almost universal, with legions of fans clamoring for ooey, gooey, over-the-top cheesy concoctions. And one place where you can get your fill is The Burger Shack in Whitehall.
Sisters and co-owners Marlyn Yacoub and Sanaat Nomie dreamed up their Grilled Cheeseburger in 2023, when it debuted as The Burger Shack’s burger of the month. It became so popular that it was named burger of the month twice more before being added to the permanent menu in late 2025. “The Grilled Cheeseburger was inspired by two ultimate comfort foods: a classic cheeseburger and a gooey grilled cheese,” Yacoub and Nomie say. The sisters’ goal was to create something that hadn’t been seen before in the Valley. “By flipping the buns inside out and grilling them with cheese, we turned the burger itself into a grilled cheese, then took it a step further by stuffing the patty with mozzarella.”
In the middle of all this cheesy goodness, the Grilled Cheeseburger also boasts crispy bacon (hey, remember bacon?) and onion rings. It’s a little sweet, a little savory, a lot juicy and so satisfying. “Definitely not a light meal, but so worth it!” Yacoub and Nomie say. You can pair it with boardwalk fries, loaded fries, homemade pierogies or, for the most daring among us, a side of mozzarella sticks. Pass the Lactaid…