Steak n Shake

There are no steak n shakes in CT. I've traveled south and west and fell in love with steak n shake. They have good burgers and great shakes. I like the melts. I don't see why steak n shake stops in Ohio. It should come farther east.

I've said it in many previous threads--Steak and Shake is great--but the closest one to me is 117 1/2 miles away--but who's counting!

It's a funny thing about Steak N Shake; when they are easily accessible, they tend to lose their mystique. For years the nearest Steak N Shake was easily 50 miles away. Every time we went out of town, one of our rest stops included a SNS. About four years ago they opened one up, literally, 45 seconds from my home. I went in twice when they first opened and haven't been back since. If you live in a burger deprived area where all you can get is chain food (which, by the way, no matter how they dress it up, Steak N Shake is still chain food), then I can understand your hankering for those flat little patties. In Chicago there's a Mom & Pop Hot Dog/Hamburger place on every block, all serving better food than SNS, for less money. Instead of wasting energy bemoaning the lack of Steak N Shake in your area, do some exploring, have a food adventure. Put that SNS ad campaign out of your head, keep an objective, open mind and find that special place that's close to home that serves a great burger.

We have 2 here and while I like their burgers I would only eat one on the weekend when Mac's Drive In or Sandwich Inn is closed. We have a Louie's Lunch(not to be confused with Louis)that has been around for ages. I tried my first one a couple of weeks ago. It wsas horrible. Hear tell they put a small amount of sausage in with their beef. My burger was cooked beyond recognition or taste.

quote:

Originally posted by BuddyRoadhouse

It's a funny thing about Steak N Shake; when they are easily accessible, they tend to lose their mystique. For years the nearest Steak N Shake was easily 50 miles away. Every time we went out of town, one of our rest stops included a SNS. About four years ago they opened one up, literally, 45 seconds from my home. I went in twice when they first opened and haven't been back since. If you live in a burger deprived area where all you can get is chain food (which, by the way, no matter how they dress it up, Steak N Shake is still chain food), then I can understand your hankering for those flat little patties. In Chicago there's a Mom & Pop Hot Dog/Hamburger place on every block, all serving better food than SNS, for less money. Instead of wasting energy bemoaning the lack of Steak N Shake in your area, do some exploring, have a food adventure. Put that SNS ad campaign out of your head, keep an objective, open mind and find that special place that's close to home that serves a great burger.

Kind of reminds me of the Coors Beer phenomenom in years past. You were well said regarding finding a good local hamburger joint.
I do like Steak & Shake hamburgers occasionally and I'll get one every couple months. I don't care for their fries (and don't care for fries in general) and have not had a shake.

The only reason I go is for the Frisco melt. I loooooove that sauce.

But the shakes are really good, especially the sipable sundaes. When my wife was pregnant I made many trips for sippable sundae!

Mickie D's double cheese burger (ordered fresh) than anything at SNS.

Andrew I am with you...Frisco Melt is a very good sandwich. I think I like it because the sauce reminds me of the "3-D Sauce" I used to find at Howard Johnson's. Other than that one item I'll take Culver's over Steak n Shake for the rest of that 'one step above the norm' burger chain.

quote:

Originally posted by BuddyRoadhouse

It's a funny thing about Steak N Shake; when they are easily accessible, they tend to lose their mystique.

I have found that to be true myself. Krispy Kreme, Cheeburger Cheeburger, Outback Steakhouse, all have opened within a 2 hour drive and suddenly I have lost interest.

I liked steak-n-shake in Greensboro on Wendover Ave.

The burger with a shake was great! (fries were ok)
But, then Johnny Rockets burger is better. And, much like the previous posters said, once a Johnny Rockets was easily accesible, I've lost interest. Yet frind myself pining for a Steak-N-Shake when one isn't available here.

I spent most of my life within about 2 minutes of a Steak N Shake, and ate there maybe once every six months. Now that I live about 60 miles from the nearest one, I seem to stop whenever I get by one. I guess absence does make the heart grow fonder...

Frisco Sauce makes the heart grow fonder!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by V960

Mickie D's double cheese burger (ordered fresh) than anything at SNS.

?????

quote:

Originally posted by little dog

There are no steak n shakes in CT. I've traveled south and west and fell in love with steak n shake. They have good burgers and great shakes. I like the melts. I don't see why steak n shake stops in Ohio. It should come farther east.

I used to travel 50 miles for a steak & shake, I didn't go there much because I only like their fries and shakes. Now I only have to go 12 miles. I still don't go there much! It has something to do with the Hamburger Pattie, the Pattie is so thin, You can see through it. Now really, it's so thin, are You sure it's meat????

quote:

Originally posted by V960

Mickie D's double cheese burger (ordered fresh) than anything at SNS.

quote:

Originally posted by rbpalmer

?????

My guess is that he meant to insert something like "is better" between the "(ordered fresh)" and "than anything". I'd bet a dollar if I had one to bet with that SNS is Steak n Shake :-)

I have to admit, when McDonald's make's a burger truly and really fresh, which is nearly never in my experience, it is actually pretty good. Let the hate flow, but I mean it :-) I had a really, really good dbl cheeseburger at the Mariemont location maybe a year ago that was just outstanding....because it had been cooked fresh and was topped with freshly sliced veggies on a just-toasted-then bun. It was charred a bit on the outside and dripping with beefy goodness throughout. I know, I know, it is a sacrilege to some of you to say this.....heh.....but I swear to the truth of what I am saying.

I agree TT a freshly made burger is as close to tastebud heaven you can get, McD's or Wendy's hot off the infared conveyor. My youngest daughters fiance is an asst.mang at McD's(26g yr@21 is nothin to laugh at)and "dad" gets special attentin to his quarters w/cheese. As for SteakNShake.. I don't eat there but I do stop for a shake whenever I visit HomeDepot

Aside from the corporate bs, what's wrong with a double cheeseburger from McDonald's??? Does it just taste bad or what.Please explain. I eat SNS all the time too. As far as most Chicago hotdog stands serving burgers, yuck- Most overcook those things called hamburger patties you can buy in a box at the grocery.I just can't believe the downright hatred for McDonalds around here LOL.

Upon reflection, I totally agree with the Coor's beer premise---I like Steak and Shake because it is only available as food on the road; i.e., when I travel. I suspect if it were always available in Des Moines, I would infrequently have my double steakburger and mocha shake. Perhaps because Culver's is all over my area (sorry Al), I find it unappealling. BTW, never did care for Coor's!

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

quote:

Originally posted by V960

Mickie D's double cheese burger (ordered fresh) than anything at SNS.

quote:

Originally posted by rbpalmer

?????

My guess is that he meant to insert something like "is better" between the "(ordered fresh)" and "than anything". I'd bet a dollar if I had one to bet with that SNS is Steak n Shake :-)

I don't think the question marks were directed at the "SNS" designation but, rather, they were rbpalmer's incredulous reaction to the improbable notion that anything from the corporate clown under the golden arches could be better than anything anywhere at anytime. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Barney -
closest one to home in CT is 439 miles away - outside of Pittsburgh.


long dog

Barney,
No apology needed. Coors DID taste better when it had traveled in the trunk of my car from Colorado to whereever I lived at the time.
And Culvers is good, but not special now that I have one 15 minutes away, as opposed to only visiting it when I traveled to Wisconsin to see my daughter and her family.

I know the phrase "Familiarity breeds contempt" is usually in reference to interpersonal relationships, but it seems to fit the link between us and certain foodplaces!!

quote:

Originally posted by Al-The Mayor-Bowen


Barney,
No apology needed. Coors DID taste better when it had traveled in the trunk of my car from Colorado to whereever I lived at the time.
And Culvers is good, but not special now that I have one 15 minutes away, as opposed to only visiting it when I traveled to Wisconsin to see my daughter and her family.

I know the phrase "Familiarity breeds contempt" is usually in reference to interpersonal relationships, but it seems to fit the link between us and certain foodplaces!!

Maybe, but I loved both Taco Bell and Ritter's frozen Custard's when they both were far away from where I am located. And I still love them today, when they are now located near me!!!!!!!!!

Theres a Steak-N-Shake where I work now and while the burgers are alright (just alright), the fries are just horrible. I usually bypass the fries and just go straight for the beans if and when I might eat there every now and then (coupons).

(The Fatburger that just opened up recently destroys the Steak-N-Shake)

Steak 'N Shake isn't what it used to be years ago, when they were awesome. Still, they're miles ahead of pre-digested slop like McDonald's (which needs an entire revamping of their basic recipe--they need to go back to Ray Kroc's original formula).

S 'N S fries are terrible (but most chain fries are-- years ago, McDonald's had excellent fries, but now they taste like artificially-treated congealed oil).

When Steak n Shake first opened here a friend and I decided to try it since we critique every new place. We haven't been back. And we continue to refer to it as "Thorazine Burger" in reference to the atmosphere and staff.

quote:

Originally posted by Kitty Ritter

When Steak n Shake first opened here a friend and I decided to try it since we critique every new place. We haven't been back. And we continue to refer to it as "Thorazine Burger" in reference to the atmosphere and staff.

Personally, I think you're being too nice. Burnt Thorazine, perhaps.

Got to wonder how MD's does 15 or so billion dollars a year when so few people go there.

John

I tried the Steak and Shake (thru the drive-thru) near me a couple times but was wholly unimpressed.

The food was acceptable but was *way* overpriced.

Yeah, they do charge a pretty penny for what they offer.

Coupons appear with great regularity in the Sunday paper locally, but even with coupons the prices are steeper than I'd prefer.

quote:

Originally posted by Sonny Funzio

I tried the Steak and Shake (thru the drive-thru) near me a couple times but was wholly unimpressed.

The food was acceptable but was *way* overpriced.

Steak & Shakes are table service restuarants, with servers, real plates, glasses and silverware. You can't really compare their prices to McDonalds and the other styrofoam container ilk places.