By Gabriela Resto-Montero
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
UPPER EAST SIDE — Just in time for the lunch rush Wednesday, Shake Shack finally opened its doors on the Upper East Side.
Ron Heller, 65, celebrated his recent 15 pound weight loss Wednesday with a Shake Shack cheeseburger, fries and soda.
For months, residents like Heller, who works out at the gym right across the street from the Shake Shack on East 86th Street between Lexington and Third Avenues, anticipated the upscale burger restaurant's opening.
"I don't want to get all the weight back," Heller joked as he finished up his meal.
In the past year, Shake Shack, which began as a food cart in Madison Square Park, expanded its operation to the Upper East Side, the Theatre District, Miami and Kuwait.
Neighbors downtown rejected owner Danny Meyer's plans to expand to NoLIta but the restaurateur is reportedly searching for a SoHo location.
As a way to make the restaurant more accessible to parents, Shake Shack issues stroller passes so parents toting their kids around can enter the restaurant easily and wait in a different line.
"As long as there's room for strollers, it's going to be great," said Yukako Kobusz, who brought her two sons with her to the opening.
The hot dogs, fries, shakes and custard on the menu are also kid friendly, said Alicia Jensen, who also brought her two children to the opening.
"You can eat here with your kids," Jensen said.
The restaurant also features a large outdoor seating area complete with a doggy parking where pet owners can tie up their dogs.
"It's great because I can only bring her to certain places," said Justine Ayala, 21, of her four-month-old Puggle, Lexie.
While Ayala finished up her burger, Lexie noshed on her own treat, a Shake Shack vanilla custard with dog biscuits inside.
