In Roger Ebert's latest blog post, he takes a break from critiquing films to expound upon the greatness of Steak 'n Shake, the Illinois-based restaurant chain mostly located in the Midwest and South. As a native of Illinois, Ebert has been eating at Steak n' Shake since he was a toddler. "If I were on Death Row, my last meal would be from Steak 'n Shake," he says. Although I haven't had the chance to eat at Steak 'n Shake yet, after reading Ebert's description of the perfect Steak 'n Shake burger, I'm putting it on my "To Eat" list:
The resulting Steakburger is a symphony of taste and texture. [...] It is essential that the sandwich is Served On a Toasted Bun. If you order onion, it will be a perfect thin slice of sweet Bermuda. If you order pickles, you will get two thin slices, side by side. Mustard, relish, tomato, lettuce can also be added, but tomatoes are a distraction. When you bite into the Steakburger, you want it to be gloriously al dente all the way through: toasted bun, crispy patty, onion, pickle, crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch.
I like the sound of the quadruple-crunch action.
Burger documentarian George Motz is also a fan of Steak 'n Shake, calling it his favorite fast-food burger. Are you a fan of Steak 'n Shake? [Tip o' of the hat to Mitch E.]
I really like it. Probably in my Top 5 fast food burger joints here in town. Unfortunately, there's only one that I know of and it's all the way on the other side. It was convenient when I lived down there, but once I moved, I hardly ever go. But when I'm in the area, It's Steak 'n Shake all the way!
I've been to many a steak-n-shake, and I do love a good S-n-S burger. Since they do the "smash the patty into the grill" thing, you do get a good texture out of the burger, and Ebert's description is a pretty accurate indication of what I like.
Alas, I've also found S-n-S to have QC issues. 3 out of 5 S-n-S burgers I get really hit the spot. 1 out of 5 is decent. And 1 out of 5 will be just a nasty grease bomb.
But when they are firing on all cylinders? It's a good treat.
I really think steak n shake is an exceptional establishment. The food aside (which I do really enjoy), the company makes a concerted effort to hire mentally challenged individuals and provide them with a good working environment. This type of social responsibility is hard to come by in Corporations and I must applaud that.
Steak and Shake is a quality establisment. Restuarants are always clean and it feels much more of a sit down vs. fast food. Regular burgers are very but the melts are where its at. You get the texture of the burger done on the grill almost with crispy salty edges between toasted grilled bread and melted cheese. It all comes together beautifully. If you are in the Midwest its definitely worth stopping. Milkshakes are also very good and the fries are thin and matchstick like.
Steak and Shake and Culvers are likely the best regional fast food restuarants in the Midwest.
When i did my burger eating tour of Ohio I took the opportunity to eat breakfast at a Steak N Shake. That meal was good and some day I hope to try a burger there as well.
Yes. With the exception of In-N-Out, I think that it is the best "fast food" burger in America. The fries, chili and shakes are also excellent. Grab one if you are in their part of the country.
I compare Steak and Shake to a Friendlys but with better burgers. Being a NYer it was a nice stop on the way to my parents house in daytona coming from Disney.
They're ok when all the other (burger) restaurants are closed; otherwise, we would go elsewhere. I like that it appears clean, since their motif has a lot of white. Although it's easy when you only have 0 to 1 other customer in the restaurant. It's not as popular as one would expect where I live, but they must make enough money since we have access to 3 Steak N Shakes w/in 15 minutes of our place, the closest being 5 min away. I like their shakes and fries more than their burgers.
The last time we went to one ~5 years ago, we had a bad experience where we stood at the door for 5 minutes in an empty restaurant with 2 employees at the counter talking to each other paying no attention to us. As soon as another couple walked in behind us, they got seated immediately while we were still standing at the door. We haven't stepped foot in one since.
I like S&S's smashed patties and their frisco melt is always good. I also like that they offer a variey of sides as oppsed to just fries. The onion rings are a must.
I never miss an opportunity to go thee when I am visiting my in-laws in Florida. The shakes and shoe string fries are awesome . The burgers are OK nothing spectacular.
Its ok,...I heard about it before I moved to the Kansas area and now had it a couple times. I do feel like you have to order a double to really get the value out of eating one because of the "smashed" patties. BUT it had everything messy known to man on it along with melted cheese so it held my interest! lol
I unfortunately was not a fan of the ULTRA thin shoestring fries (not to mention they were SUPER greasy!).
Steak'n'Shake is truly an institution. I've converted many non-midwesterners to believers in its deliciousness (not to mention that said deliciousness is available 24 hours!). for me, the best dishes are the Patty/Chicken/Frisco Melt & the Chili Mac Supreme. I'm not a huge fans of the fries on their own, but the cheese fries (made with only the fakest liquid cheese sauce) are amazing with ketchup. if I ever move out of the heartland I'm not sure what I'll do with myself.
I have a love hate with SnS, the burgers are good but the service is always terrible and they rarely get my order right. The most despicable act is the fact that they have started downsizing their food. They have reduced the amount of beef in each patty and to hide this they downsized their buns. They also have reduced the portion size of their chili and their sides. I know times are tight but I really think they could cut costs elsewhere instead of reducing the amount of food you get.
I don't consider S & S to be a "fast food" place. Any place that serves on china with metal utensils is not a fast food place to me. Anyhow - they do have good burgers, and as someone mentioned above - they are getting smaller. I usually go for the triple cheese with a salad and fries, and a wonderful fountain cherry coke.
Let's get serious here. They don't have steaks and their shakes are terrible. The service sucks and they will likely be out of business in a couple of years. I'm sorry but after moving to the midwest and hearing so much about S & S, I have constantly been disappointed with them although I must admit that they have good fries
Yahoo - maybe you had a bad visit, but their shakes usually are pretty good. Also, they've been going strong for 70+ years so I don't think they'll be out of business soon.
Steak 'n Shake is definitely in my top 3 burger chains. Every time I head west into Pittsburgh, I make sure to make at least one stop there (usually the midnight snack). The burgers are excellent, the shakes are awesome, and unlike yabooo, I've always have good service. I thought the fries were the most disappointing part (go for the chili instead), and I have noticed the portions shrinking as well. Bring back the goods, SnS! And continue eastward and give Five Guys a run for their money!
Looking at their balance sheet shows a lot. SnS has 60.3 million dollars in current assest but they have but they have 76.3 million in current liabilities. In todays economic climate, I just don't see any bank lending 16 million dollars to SnS. Hence they will have to start shutting down many of their stores and selling what they can. On there sales, SnS can expect to get a small percentage of their property plant and equipment booked amount. Hence the future does not look bright for steak and shake. Whether they will be able to reinvent themselves ala Hardees is unknown. But clearly this is not a company that I would be investing in. And for that matter I will not be eating there either as there are many superior places that actually know how to make a great hamburger and a rich thick and creamy milk shake
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24 Comments:
I really like it. Probably in my Top 5 fast food burger joints here in town. Unfortunately, there's only one that I know of and it's all the way on the other side. It was convenient when I lived down there, but once I moved, I hardly ever go. But when I'm in the area, It's Steak 'n Shake all the way!
bwbollom at 7:25PM on 01/23/09
I've been to many a steak-n-shake, and I do love a good S-n-S burger. Since they do the "smash the patty into the grill" thing, you do get a good texture out of the burger, and Ebert's description is a pretty accurate indication of what I like.
Alas, I've also found S-n-S to have QC issues. 3 out of 5 S-n-S burgers I get really hit the spot. 1 out of 5 is decent. And 1 out of 5 will be just a nasty grease bomb.
But when they are firing on all cylinders? It's a good treat.
kaszeta at 7:26PM on 01/23/09
I really think steak n shake is an exceptional establishment. The food aside (which I do really enjoy), the company makes a concerted effort to hire mentally challenged individuals and provide them with a good working environment. This type of social responsibility is hard to come by in Corporations and I must applaud that.
Wolverines at 7:32PM on 01/23/09
Steak 'n Shake was started in Illinois, but is based in Indianapolis. Regardless, nothing else comes close.
Jack Burton at 10:08PM on 01/23/09
Steak and Shake is a quality establisment. Restuarants are always clean and it feels much more of a sit down vs. fast food. Regular burgers are very but the melts are where its at. You get the texture of the burger done on the grill almost with crispy salty edges between toasted grilled bread and melted cheese. It all comes together beautifully. If you are in the Midwest its definitely worth stopping. Milkshakes are also very good and the fries are thin and matchstick like.
Steak and Shake and Culvers are likely the best regional fast food restuarants in the Midwest.
dombrooks at 1:46PM on 01/24/09
When i did my burger eating tour of Ohio I took the opportunity to eat breakfast at a Steak N Shake. That meal was good and some day I hope to try a burger there as well.
hhawk at 1:03AM on 01/25/09
Yes. With the exception of In-N-Out, I think that it is the best "fast food" burger in America. The fries, chili and shakes are also excellent. Grab one if you are in their part of the country.
takhomasak at 3:54AM on 01/25/09
I really like the food although, I don't visit Steak and Shake often because the service has never been good for me.
smile at 6:25AM on 01/25/09
Oh, yeah. Especially good at 3AM.
meg3j at 12:29PM on 01/25/09
I compare Steak and Shake to a Friendlys but with better burgers. Being a NYer it was a nice stop on the way to my parents house in daytona coming from Disney.
eastcoastvb at 3:38PM on 01/25/09
They're ok when all the other (burger) restaurants are closed; otherwise, we would go elsewhere. I like that it appears clean, since their motif has a lot of white. Although it's easy when you only have 0 to 1 other customer in the restaurant. It's not as popular as one would expect where I live, but they must make enough money since we have access to 3 Steak N Shakes w/in 15 minutes of our place, the closest being 5 min away. I like their shakes and fries more than their burgers.
The last time we went to one ~5 years ago, we had a bad experience where we stood at the door for 5 minutes in an empty restaurant with 2 employees at the counter talking to each other paying no attention to us. As soon as another couple walked in behind us, they got seated immediately while we were still standing at the door. We haven't stepped foot in one since.
Cassaendra at 6:52PM on 01/25/09
I like S&S's smashed patties and their frisco melt is always good. I also like that they offer a variey of sides as oppsed to just fries. The onion rings are a must.
mayoxqueen at 3:18AM on 01/26/09
I don't really think of it as fast food, takes a bit to get your order.
redfish at 7:07AM on 01/26/09
I never miss an opportunity to go thee when I am visiting my in-laws in Florida. The shakes and shoe string fries are awesome . The burgers are OK nothing spectacular.
sledneck at 9:02AM on 01/26/09
Its ok,...I heard about it before I moved to the Kansas area and now had it a couple times. I do feel like you have to order a double to really get the value out of eating one because of the "smashed" patties. BUT it had everything messy known to man on it along with melted cheese so it held my interest! lol
I unfortunately was not a fan of the ULTRA thin shoestring fries (not to mention they were SUPER greasy!).
Overall, I'd eat it once a year,...
BACK TO YOU ROGER!!
Lvn4life at 9:56AM on 01/26/09
one of the most perfect looking burgers I have had...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/burgerclub/344531140/
BurgerSeeker at 11:33AM on 01/26/09
BS, looks like a double????
Lvn4life at 11:45AM on 01/26/09
Steak'n'Shake is truly an institution. I've converted many non-midwesterners to believers in its deliciousness (not to mention that said deliciousness is available 24 hours!). for me, the best dishes are the Patty/Chicken/Frisco Melt & the Chili Mac Supreme. I'm not a huge fans of the fries on their own, but the cheese fries (made with only the fakest liquid cheese sauce) are amazing with ketchup. if I ever move out of the heartland I'm not sure what I'll do with myself.
courtguerra at 11:59AM on 01/26/09
I have a love hate with SnS, the burgers are good but the service is always terrible and they rarely get my order right. The most despicable act is the fact that they have started downsizing their food. They have reduced the amount of beef in each patty and to hide this they downsized their buns. They also have reduced the portion size of their chili and their sides. I know times are tight but I really think they could cut costs elsewhere instead of reducing the amount of food you get.
stewmeat at 12:18PM on 01/26/09
I don't consider S & S to be a "fast food" place. Any place that serves on china with metal utensils is not a fast food place to me. Anyhow - they do have good burgers, and as someone mentioned above - they are getting smaller. I usually go for the triple cheese with a salad and fries, and a wonderful fountain cherry coke.
Oneiron at 12:29PM on 01/26/09
Let's get serious here. They don't have steaks and their shakes are terrible. The service sucks and they will likely be out of business in a couple of years. I'm sorry but after moving to the midwest and hearing so much about S & S, I have constantly been disappointed with them although I must admit that they have good fries
yabooo at 2:26AM on 01/27/09
Yahoo - maybe you had a bad visit, but their shakes usually are pretty good. Also, they've been going strong for 70+ years so I don't think they'll be out of business soon.
Oneiron at 2:42PM on 01/27/09
Steak 'n Shake is definitely in my top 3 burger chains. Every time I head west into Pittsburgh, I make sure to make at least one stop there (usually the midnight snack). The burgers are excellent, the shakes are awesome, and unlike yabooo, I've always have good service. I thought the fries were the most disappointing part (go for the chili instead), and I have noticed the portions shrinking as well. Bring back the goods, SnS! And continue eastward and give Five Guys a run for their money!
gamma1099 at 1:00PM on 01/28/09
Looking at their balance sheet shows a lot. SnS has 60.3 million dollars in current assest but they have but they have 76.3 million in current liabilities. In todays economic climate, I just don't see any bank lending 16 million dollars to SnS. Hence they will have to start shutting down many of their stores and selling what they can. On there sales, SnS can expect to get a small percentage of their property plant and equipment booked amount. Hence the future does not look bright for steak and shake. Whether they will be able to reinvent themselves ala Hardees is unknown. But clearly this is not a company that I would be investing in. And for that matter I will not be eating there either as there are many superior places that actually know how to make a great hamburger and a rich thick and creamy milk shake
yabooo at 1:44AM on 01/29/09