STEAK AND SHAKE Location: Across from Largo Mall - New Store
FIRST TIME - This franchise is living proof at times that it's the sizzle and not the beef that sells here. A couple friends grabbed me and we went out for a quick lunch. Being on a short schedule they picked Steak and Shake. Oh-oh new store, been there, done that.
We stood around like idiots waiting to be seated. I thought it was strange since there were only seven people in the whole place. We were almost out-numbered by the waiters. Finally after the help decided whose turn it was, we ordered the Double Hamburger Platters, Ooops "STEAK BURGERS" and a side of Chili. This was a new location so I gave them the benefit of a new crew. The Chili tasted like a cheap version of canned Chili and was skimmed on the surface.
My ears detected the familiar steel banging on the grill and cremation of a 1/4 pound hockey (before cooking) puck of beef "STEAK-BURGER". The concerto of meat smashing is to sear the flavor in and spread the meager amount of beef enough to cover the bun.
It was skillfully performed by Dr. Kevorkian, aka the steak sizzler and sound effects performer who live on stage (open kitchen) totally smashed every living ounce of taste out of the mini-hockey puck of "STEAK". Now fully crushed to widen it out to look like a hamburger, it was flattened so hard when held up to the light you can almost see through it. Perfection!
OK, hamburger is beef and beef by-products. By-products are some parts of the cow I won't mention. If you think because they call their meat "STEAK BURGERS" and you are getting prime sirloin, filet mignon, T-bones, rib-eye and other expensive cuts, then get off the pot you're smoking or sitting on.
What you will get is hot food, served quick, and fresh, and not micro-destroyed. I noticed on the web that many had the same feelings and had written about the cost and what you got for the money you spent. I think management might have listened. New low cost menus came out. Any one can type in Google the "franchise name followed by the word complaints" and you will see what others think about any chain and at times it is not pretty. In reality the chains should have a designated employee reading those things daily and if a store location is not or noted it should be forwarded.
NEXT TWO TIMES: SEPTEMBER 2010
√ Good - First the new menu. Reasonable prices for what you order. And the items were popular basics, not some oddball combo.
√ Service - This time we got immediate seating, courteous employees. The food was as ordered, served hot and much better, I ordered the double burger. No Chili, the double was worth the few pennies difference. I dropped in during a busy day time time and later in the week at night.
√ Good - For the value in the past the food was overpriced, their lesser cost menu and promotions are addressing that. Want value you can have value. Want more, pay more. Thats the best way and I think a chance at increasing business...see suggestions.
√ OK - The forties look, white, lots of white, and uniforms make it a theme place, but nevertheless that keeps it clean, very clean. In this particular store the improvements were obvious. From where I sat I could see the crew station and if cleanliness is next to Godliness, these were saints. Very clean, lots of hand washing, serving trays wiped after use, the soft drinks were in glass, clean, clear ice, fresh looking and effervescent. Very clean, bright environment. shakes, real ice cream add to the menus appeal.
√ Value - The food was medium-priced for the quality and quantity. But food that is cooked to order costs more then pre-prepped half-cooked food. There is the difference in price alone. Plus you are seated and served so they can't operate that way at counter service prices. I have yet to get a HOT hamburger at McDonalds and in three tries all I got was half cooked chicken. Not the case here. And when I compared apples to apples, these prices were in line for the better quality.
√ Suggestions - Again they have since lowered their prices and have specials now. In addition the places are spotless and now with costs in line are upgraded one half star. Someone in corporate listened and value meals and a clean environment has greatly improved their standing. My suggestions would be to keep the value menu and not change anything. But take the regular menu and increase the patty size by an ounce and a half to two ounces and they would have a winner.