STEAK AND SHAKE

quote:

Originally posted by desertdog



I can't recall the name of a Chinese restaurant we used to go to in Springfield but it served some great Cashew Chicken. Haven't found it served like that anywhere else. Do you know the place I'm referring to? Seems like it was down in the southern part of town on a major east-west street.

Springfield Cashew Chicken was created by a chef at Leong's Tea House a LONG time ago. (For those who don't know, it's chunks of chicken breaded and fried, topped with oyster sauce, chopped green onions, and roasted cashews.) The original version was delicious.

It became a local favorite, and when I still lived in Springfield, there were at LEAST 30 places around town that served little more than Cashew Chicken, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Fried Rice, and Egg Rolls. The quality of the recipe took a major dive south, of course, but it was good late-night food for drunk college students (much like the new KFC Bowl).

Mr. Leong had a brother who went by Cheong, and he opened the East Wind restaurant on east Sunshine. There have been a number of places that served a good version of this dish, but I really have no idea which one you frequented.

And, you're right, it has never really traveled outside of Springfield. I think that's strange, since even the worst food can become a national hit (witness Taco Bell). Whenever I go back to Springfield, I usually always have some Cashew Chicken, and a stop at Mexican Villa for a Burrito Enchilada-Style is a must.

Just a point of interest; Cheong bought my grandfather's restaurants in the 70's (the Springfield What-a-Burger's), and for a while served Cashew Chicken and burgers. That didn't work out too well...

I am a born Springfieldian also. I live in the Kansas City area now. You can go in some Chinese restaurant's here and ask for Springfield Cashew Chicken and they know what you are talking about! I forgot Leongs Tea House and could just remember Gee's on Sunshine. Now me... I get a craving for a steakburger avery once and awhile and we go. And I like the skinny fries too. I guess it takes all kinds huh!

A little off-subject, maybe, but there was an independent drive-in in the Apponaug section of Warwick, RI in the 60s called Steak and Shake.

Legend was that someone wanted to open a franchise of the national chain in the state, and after a trademark fight the local won, preventing the chain from doing business in RI.

I love Steak & Shake!!! Unfortunately they're not in the northeast. If they were, I'd weigh 500 pounds. So maybe it's good that they're NOT up here.

quote:

Originally posted by Bushie

quote:

Originally posted by desertdog



I can't recall the name of a Chinese restaurant we used to go to in Springfield but it served some great Cashew Chicken. Haven't found it served like that anywhere else. Do you know the place I'm referring to? Seems like it was down in the southern part of town on a major east-west street.

Springfield Cashew Chicken was created by a chef at Leong's Tea House a LONG time ago. (For those who don't know, it's chunks of chicken breaded and fried, topped with oyster sauce, chopped green onions, and roasted cashews.) The original version was delicious.

It became a local favorite, and when I still lived in Springfield, there were at LEAST 30 places around town that served little more than Cashew Chicken, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Fried Rice, and Egg Rolls. The quality of the recipe took a major dive south, of course, but it was good late-night food for drunk college students (much like the new KFC Bowl).

Mr. Leong had a brother who went by Cheong, and he opened the East Wind restaurant on east Sunshine. There have been a number of places that served a good version of this dish, but I really have no idea which one you frequented.

And, you're right, it has never really traveled outside of Springfield. I think that's strange, since even the worst food can become a national hit (witness Taco Bell). Whenever I go back to Springfield, I usually always have some Cashew Chicken, and a stop at Mexican Villa for a Burrito Enchilada-Style is a must.

Just a point of interest; Cheong bought my grandfather's restaurants in the 70's (the Springfield What-a-Burger's), and for a while served Cashew Chicken and burgers. That didn't work out too well...

Thanks for the memory jog, Bushie. After checking with my brother, he thinks that it was Leong's that we used to go to. It's been quite a while since I was back in Springfield, I really need to get back there. Does Loeng's still exist or do you go somewhere else for your Cashew Chicken fix?

Mexican Villa was also a favorite, my younger brother gets over there a lot more than I do (his in-laws still live there), he says MV hasn't changed much. Foos is as good as it always has been. He will grab some of the hot sauce for me when he can.

quote:

Originally posted by bobojay

I am a born Springfieldian also. I live in the Kansas City area now. You can go in some Chinese restaurant's here and ask for Springfield Cashew Chicken and they know what you are talking about! I forgot Leongs Tea House and could just remember Gee's on Sunshine. Now me... I get a craving for a steakburger avery once and awhile and we go. And I like the skinny fries too. I guess it takes all kinds huh!

Hey Bobojay,

Do you ever get to Bo-Lings down around Metcalf? Used to hit that place a lot. Loved the Orange Beef and the Crab Rangoon.

We dont get down to BoLings. There was a place over on Ward Pkwy we used to frequent for lunch from work. Same lady opened a place on 101st also at State Line we went. Our favorite place is in Bonner Springs, they will make Spfld Cashew Chicken for me and we love their crab rangoon. I'm hungry now!

Steak 'n Shake is my favorite restraunt chain ever. They should get steak fries.

Wow,,,what a second post. I cant wait for the encore.

Something tells me there might not be another one.

John

Yeah...I caught that too. I was shocked that got thru. My husband and I have always gotten good service at every Steak and Shake we've been to.......but I will have to say I don't think they've ever included THAT in their service and in the midwest it's not on the menu !!!

quote:

Originally posted by bobojay

Yeah...I caught that too. I was shocked that got thru. My husband and I have always gotten good service at every Steak and Shake we've been to.......but I will have to say I don't think they've ever included THAT in their service and in the midwest it's not on the menu !!!

You want a Steak and WHAT?

John

quote:

Originally posted by miss_bob

Steak 'n Shake is my favorite restraunt chain ever. They should get steak fries.

Really? Why don't you tell us what you think of the thin, shoestring fries?????

Looks like what John A said was right dog. I have not had SnS fries but I love those shoestring taters that come in a package. Also Jack's Fries sold at the State fair of Texas are great, and kinda thin. I like steak frys and Jack's thin fries. You would think SnS would want their fries to be good. Are all their fries not so good or does it vary by location?
Joe

quote:

Originally posted by desertdog

quote:

Originally posted by miss_bob

Steak 'n Shake is my favorite restraunt chain ever. They should get steak fries.

Really? Why don't you tell us what you think of the thin, shoestring fries?????

Did you see the original post, LOL.

BTW, I responded to your BBQ equipment post in that thread.

John

quote:

Originally posted by John A

quote:

Originally posted by desertdog

quote:

Originally posted by miss_bob

Steak 'n Shake is my favorite restraunt chain ever. They should get steak fries.

Really? Why don't you tell us what you think of the thin, shoestring fries?????

Did you see the original post, LOL.

BTW, I responded to your BBQ equipment post in that thread.

John

I did see it. Charming, eh?

Thanks for the reply on the BBQ stuff. I haven't had a chance to take a good look at the sites as of yet, but I like the idea of the duel fuel. Is the pellet function primarily for smoking, then? You can answer on the other thread, I'll meet you over there.

First post cleaned up now.

Back to the SnS fries Q.
Joe

I'm from Springfield,Mo and my Mom worked for What-a Burger in the '60's. Somehow, she got the recipe for cashew chicken then and passed it on to me. I make it all the time and everyone who's ever had it thinks it's great. I was in Houston,TX in '88 and was at a nice restaurant there, and was stunned to see on the menu, "Springfield Style Cashew Chicken" ! I ordered some, and darned if it wasn't exactly right. I asked why it was on the menu and was told the owner went to college in Springfield in the '70s and got the recipe while working at a restaurant there and liked it so much, he brought it to Texas! Haven't seen it at any other place since.

quote:

Originally posted by dwaynes2

I'm from Springfield,Mo and my Mom worked for What-a Burger in the '60's. Somehow, she got the recipe for cashew chicken then and passed it on to me. I make it all the time and everyone who's ever had it thinks it's great. I was in Houston,TX in '88 and was at a nice restaurant there, and was stunned to see on the menu, "Springfield Style Cashew Chicken" ! I ordered some, and darned if it wasn't exactly right. I asked why it was on the menu and was told the owner went to college in Springfield in the '70s and got the recipe while working at a restaurant there and liked it so much, he brought it to Texas! Haven't seen it at any other place since.

Are you going to keep it a secret

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Hoffman

Horrible chain. Unless, of course, you enjoy crispy-critter burgers, terrible service and high prices.

Give it to Mikey..he won't eat it..he hates everything!!

Sounds good in theory, but try going at night and seeing no one inside, then waiting at the drive thru for a half hour total to get your food, and then biting into what you thought was your burger to find what looks and tastes like a thin charred dishrag.

Very good shakes though. Stick to the shakes, stay away from the steak.

To John A; What is life without secrets? Like all good food, it's basic and simple to figure out. Of course,I'm a wimp, so tell me if you don't figure it out.

Hey, Mike S or one of the other administrators. I like reading about dear old SnS just as much as the next RF-er. Even enjoy a double steakburger occasionally. However, we've got 2 different SnS threads running simultaneously. Didn't think that was allowed. Can we get that cleaned up?

QFan
Bonita Springs, FL