Shyan Zakeri

The Los Angeles native is bringing his favorite childhood burgers—greasy, thin patties—to New York City with his pop-up concept, Shy’s Burgers

By Elena Clavarino

For Shyan Zakeri, there’s only one type of burger that hits the spot. It’s greasy, with just a thin patty and a single layer of cheese between a semi-soggy potato bun.

Since February 2021, Zakeri has hosted Shy’s Burgers, food pop-ups around New York. The venues range from private house parties in Southampton to hotels in the Catskills, to various locations around New York City, such as Maria Hernandez Park and Time, a sushi restaurant near Dimes Square. On a rainy Sunday in September, he hosted the first Shy’s Bazaar, a pop-up that used the barter system. Customers traded objects, from books to hats, for one of his burgers.