Steak ‘n Shake

Really good burger place most of the time. But we had a terrible experience Saturday morning. The burgers are always good, but on Saturday we weren’t happy with indoor service. The manager saved the meal, but we will oder from the drive thru, from now on.

This past Saturday afternoon we were short on time, so hubby recommended that we go to our neighborhood Steak ‘n Shake for a quick bite. We all wanted breakfast, and were disappointed to learn that they stopped serving it at 11. That was ok, except that our dine in experience was terrible.
To start off, we all ordered water, and my husband’s glass was visibly chipped. Then my daughter ordered a burger with just lettuce, and no lettuce arrived. Hubby ordered onions on his burger, and for some reason they came in a container on the side, which I guess was a good thing, because he said they were old and not fresh at all.
I decided on a chili-​cheese dog for a change, knowing that their hot dogs are all beef. What came out was shriveled up, burnt on one end, and very, very unappetizing looking. I would not, could not, force myself to eat it. The waitress saw my face and took it away immediately, apologizing and offering to get me something else. I decided to play it safe with a regular burger, and I asked for it with lettuce, tomato, and mayo. When I say they slathered on the mayo, I mean it was slathered! It took 3 napkins for me to wipe it all off. I like mayo, but this was just toooo much. At this point we were all wondering what the heck was happening here, and my husband was very apologetic for suggesting that we come here.
The manager must have overheard our conversation with one of the servers, because he came to our table to see what was wrong. He offered to chop fresh onions for my husband, who responded that they should have been fresh to begin with. I know, right? He also offered to make me a new chili-​cheese dog at no charge, but we didn’t have time to wait, plus I was already eating my replacement burger, sans the bun. He said he would make it fresh and keep it under the heat lamp until we were ready to go. So after over an hour of issues, we got the dog to go, and vowed that we would just stick with the drive-​thru where we never have any issues. (Joanne is a gem at the window!) This was very disappointing!

savory and delicious steak burger. Better than fast food for the beef is actually cooked before its served

We’ve eaten at this location several times because it’s close to home and kid friendly. However, there is constant turnover with the waitstaff, and though well meaning and friendly, they are very poorly trained and understaffed.
This last visit will be our last… the manager was not aware of the allergens in the meals and told me «well if you want to risk it its your choice»… Really? You think I want to roll the dice and give a child something that will send him to the hospital? I attribute this to poor management, education/​training and not enough emphasis on the customers needs.
I too will be writing to the corporate office.

Don’t know why people like this place! Burgers and fries are horrible. The shake could’ve been made better by my 4 year old. Service was also terrible! Ordered 3 burgers and fries and it takes them over 30 min??? Will not eat there again

Food good. Staff friendly, floors dirty and littered with food and paper. Somebody please tell the manager to order a broom

Worse service ever! Burger was decent but the chili only consisted of beans. ONLY BEANS. Gross.

Will not be returning here at all! Worst service ever! Employees here should all be fired! Will be contacting their corporate office!

I love their portobello burgers, so I drive out whenever I am craving one. But I’m consistently disappointed by the service here.
In the latest string of bad customer service, I ordered a portobello burger and waited a good 10 minutes before being told they were out — glad I didn’t decide to go through the congested drive thru! The waitress genuinely seemed more annoyed at me for ordering something they were out of and didn’t even bother to apologize. The manager was a couple yards in front of me — he didn’t apologize either.
If it weren’t for the portobello burger, I would never come back to this location. But they didn’t even have it this time…

I enjoy the food i get here, but every time i get food to go it seems like they forget to give me an item i ordered. While it is usually just fries they forget, i don’t think i will be returning any time soon due to this fact.

Really slow service, poor customer service, I was very disappointed. 1 young lady just walked around like she didn’t know what to do. Some people waited so long just to get their order taken that they left without eating.

My complaint here is not about the food it’s the employees. To be specify the manager or shift manager. He was completely rude and an overall jack ass. Ordering food the question of «does that complete you order?» After every item as if he wanted to rush us while there was no other waiting customers. Good was ready practically shoved it in my face. No hello or thank you even when I was being polite. I would rather drive twenty miles then to deal with someone who has misplaced anger or hates their job. If you don’t like to work there quit or find another job.

Can’t say enough about John that works lunch time usually. I’ve been coming for years and every time I’m greeted by my first name which is awesome. He checks on me regularly and always is very cordial. I leave reviews from time to time and I do point out the bad but not one complaint with John. I’m not aware of either of the managers names… but with a personality like Johns, needs to be made one! Thanks for your service and see ya soon! — Brian V

Kids eat FREE on weekends! Food was good, our waitress was just alright. The atmosphere was terrible. I would’ve given it a 3 stars but we didn’t enjoy the time as we were eating. All you hear Are the employees complaining a lot talking about how they want to just quit and leave. Employees snappy at each other. Cook yelling and complaining to other employees. From where we were sitting, about two customers got up and demanded and asked where food was. Waitress kept coming back returning food yelling it was wrong.
Once I cashed out 1 customer ahead of me complained about the service. I also informed the mgr my experience. He acted like he cared. Than next thing you know 3 other customers heard and agreed with me and the lady ahead of me. that’s when he decided to be manager. Manager didn’t care at all. It’s just a hot mess there! Manager doesn’t even care how the employees are.
Clearly you can hear the employees not happy with there job, taking it out on the customers, getting orders wrong and yet management let them voice there opinion with customers around. Insane!

Food is usually good but service is always terrible. Tonight had to wait 45 for our food.

How can this place have a drive-​thru? It was mostly empty and it took 20 minutes to get 5 mediocre burgers. We ordered 4 shakes afterwards and it took 15 minutes and the place was empty then. A friend came by and told us he was in earlier but they forgot to include half of his food so he was back to get it. And he said the manager took his order, and blew it. He told us everything there used to be better when there was a woman managing the place, but now with the new guy, things were falling apart.

Went in when the place was only at about half capacity but still had to wait in a line with about 10 other people. There were 4 different servers standing in the back and none of them even acknowledged all of us waiting in line. It was another 10 minutes before all of us were seated at the same time.
Once we were seated it still took awhile to even get menus or speak to a waitress. The wait staff is terrible. I even saw a waitress take someone’s shake away after she had only had a few sips. When the customer claimed she was still drinking it, the waitress attempted to give it back when garbage already stuffed on top of the shake. The whole place is sloppy, as if it was their first time being open with under qualified staff.

I come here every so often and use a coupon. Its nice. Usually I am there during the day and the staff is pretty friendly and competent. Never got my order wrong. Food comes out fresh and hot. Shakes are wonderful. Never had a bad one. Just tried the breakfast last week. Everything was good. Could have been a bit more generous with the hash browns or offer them made with onions. But for $ 4.99 for 2 eggs, hash browns, bacon, bagel and coffee? Not so bad. Next time, I am going for the all you can eat pancakes.
BIG PEOPLE: Some of the booths are stationary tables. Chairs are comfortable and the bench seats by the windows are ok.

Listen, when your Norweigen partner says, I want to go back to steak ‘n shake, each time she comes to Chicago… you gotta say ok, there’s something there.
yes, there’s something there for everyone. Breakfast, burgers, appertizers, shakes.
I like to indulge in burgers once in a while, so I do the spicy burgers or sliders, I typically skip the shakes but when my girl’s eyes roll to the back of her head as she sips the milkshake in delight… gotta give them credit. They do shakes right.
The staff is so helpful, friendly and nice. I really hope they make more than minimum wage at this establishment since meals for two can easily be under $ 10! seriously. They hussle and bust their back to take care of you… please don’t tell me you’re only going to leave 20% cause it’s really not cool.

Dinner!
So, tonight was another first for me, my first ever visit to a Steak
and Shake!
How can this be? you may be asking, because as my Unilocal Friends
know I am quite active and I get around a lot.
And please get your minds out of the gutter because I don’t mean
that I get around a lot in that way. Sheesh…
Okay, so anyway, I was kind of excited about my 1^st visit to
Steak and Shake so I went in with a positive attitude.
And, as I looked over the menu I was trying to find the best looking
burger that I could and I found this Bacon Double Steakburger and it
was delivered to my table and my first bite I dripped grease/​juice all over
my work shirt. Boy, are they gonna be pissed tomorrow or what?
So, all in all enjoyed this burger, I did.
However, these new cheese/​herb fries they are now offering pretty
much sucked so I definitely won’t be ordering those again!
Okay, and No way was I going to leave this Steak and Shake without
getting a Shake, and they are offering this new Birthday Cake Shake
and I figured since it’s my Birthday in 4 months I would give myself
this early present.
Gotta say, I did love this Shake, especially the whipped cream on top…
Now, honestly, did my first outing at Steak and Shake blow my socks off?
Definitely not.
In fact, I recently reviewed a new place in Uptown which I loved so
much more.
But, I’m glad that I finally checked this place out, but won’t be in a
hurry or go out of my way to return.
Because, it was Okay, nothing more, and there are definitely better
places out there.
Birthday Cake Shake or Not…