After reading Roger Ebert’s love letters to SnS, I knew I had to try it. There is just one in my area - went there for dinner yesterday.
My report card:
Shake (side-by-side vanilla/orange): A
Burger (Cheesy Cheddar): A+
Fries: C+
I understand a great deal of Ebert’s (and others’) love is nostalgia-based - I’m that way with A&W. But it was a damn good meal, aside from those skinny-ass fries. There was something special about that burger.
I shall return.
mmm
How nice of the website to post coupons for you below for your next visit!
I’ve been considering trying one as well. I guess they have them around me now because I keep getting ads/coupons.
Have you ever had In and Out Burger in LA?
That place got hyped up to me a bit, but it really wasn’t much better than anywhere else I’ve eaten that had decent burgers. Again, it must be nostalgia.
See the mistake you made was in eating the fries by themselves. They are truly not worth it, and if you want a pure side item the onion rings are a better bet.
BUT - Try this: Order the fries and a cup of chili. The chili is ok, not the best I have had but passable. Take the fries put them in a pile on the plate and pour the chili over the fries. You can even shake on some of their hot sauce. For some reason the mediocre fries and passable chili combine for excellent chili fries. If you insurance is paid up, get the cheese fries and have chili cheese fries.
Glad you enjoyed yourself.
The two Steak ‘n’ Shakes in my area, however, feature unconscionably horrible (sometimes all-but-non-existent) service, though the food is decent (though I share your disdain for the shoestring fries, and I’ve had much, much better milkshakes at many other places).
A couple of Five Guys Burgers and Fries opened up in my neck of the woods several months ago, and I must say that I’m quite enamored of everything I’ve tried there.
The fries are good if they’re fresh and hot. Unfortunately they only stay hot for a few minutes, barely enough time to finish them all.
I’ve heard good things about Five Guys as well. One person remarked on the gigantic serving sizes as a way of warning (in my mind, large servings are an absolute plus).
Haven’t tried In 'n Out either, but have heard others express disappointment, likely due to increased expectations.
Ebert references a joke about In 'n Out vs. Steak 'n Shake with regard to west coast / midwest sexual techniques.
Regarding onion rings and chili fries - I didn’t want onion rings and I did not want chili fries. I wanted *good *fries.
Anyway, I’ve re-dedicated myself to a policy of healthy eating, so I won’t be going out for a burger any time soon.
(sigh)
mmm
Fries are a personal preference. I like S&S fries. I hate massive skin on potato wedges like Five Guys.
Then you’ve got to try Five Guys, if at all possible.
Agreed.
Oh, come now. “[M]assive skin on potato wedges”? You mean like this? Because Five Guys’ fries look, in actuality, like this.
The Steak N’ Shake Hamburger I had was the worst fast food hamburger I’ve ever tasted. Did they improve it recently?
The fries are good at Five Guys, I just wish it was possible to order a size under three pounds of potatoes. The burgers are excellent but of a different style than Steak and Shake.
Same here. I am in western Pennsylvania. I’ve been to a Steak and Shake locally on two occasions. Both times our orders were screwed up. Both times the manager comped our meals (I wasn’t complaining or anything). Sorry, even free food isn’t worth the hassle. I won’t be back.
Okay, exagerattion on my part. But still, my preference is crispy fies. Don’t care for the mushy 5 guys type.
Nah, I’m from the Midwest, no In-n-Outs around here, so no nostalgia. From my first bite into the burger (about three years ago) it’s become my platonic ideal of a fast-food style hamburger. My waistline is thankful there aren’t any around here.
If you like Steak and Shake, you should enjoy In-N-Out, Five Guys, Whataburger, etc.
Not far from where I live, there is a Steak and Shake situated directly across the street from a Five Guys.
The Steak and Shake is beating the pants off the Five Guys in terms of business; lot and restaurant full when Five Guys is the next best thing to empty. This is right off a major interstate and near a big shopping area and all things are equal in terms of access, etc.
They’re really two entirely different kinds of restaurants - Steak and Shake is basically a diner, with china, real silverware, and more variety on the menu, including soups, salads, clubs, chicken, etc. Five Guys is burgers (and hotdogs) and fries only, with a variety of toppings. They appeal to different audiences. Got a family to feed with a picky child or two and mom wants a salad? You’re not heading to Five Guys. If you’re a fan of huge portions and want a huge, drippy burger? Five Guys.
I thought the burgers at SnS reminded me of Bob’s Big Boy burgers.
While it’s not the exactly the same, I always thought a Culver’s butter burger was closer to In N Out than Sns or Five Guys. They also have really GOOD onion rings.
Butterfinger shake is better than blowjobs. Their fries do suck though, i wish the one and only Steak Escape in Orlando hadn’t closed, they had the best fries in the world.
On the Five Guys fries topic: If you like the fries at Penn Station, Steak Escape, Great Steak & Fry Co., etc., you’ll probably like the ones at Five Guys. Plus, as mentioned, you get a ton of them.
