Steak 'n Shake

There's something kind of perfect about a restaurant that's been doing the same thing since 1934. Steak 'n Shake isn't trying to reinvent the wheel-they're just making really good burgers and shakes, the way they always have.

The whole concept started with this guy Gus Belt who had a brilliant idea: grind up actual steaks right in front of customers so they could see exactly what was going into their burger. Back then, ground beef was sketchy stuff, and people didn't trust it. So Belt wheeled out a barrel of T-bones, sirloins, and round steaks and ground them up in plain view. That's where the slogan "In Sight It Must Be Right" came from. Pretty smart marketing for the 1930s.

Fast forward to today, and they're still obsessed with that steakburger concept. The menu's built around it-premium burgers made from 100% beef with no artificial ingredients, hand-dipped milkshakes that are actually hand-spun at a custom shake station, and those thin, crispy shoestring fries. And here's the thing: they recently switched back to cooking their fries in beef tallow instead of vegetable oil. That's a big deal in the fast-food world right now, where everyone's talking about seed oils and getting back to traditional cooking methods.

The chain's had its ups and downs. They've got over 400 locations across 26 states, mostly concentrated in the Midwest where they started. Some locations are still open 24/7, which makes them a late-night destination for people craving a Frisco Melt at 2 AM. But they've also been through some major changes-transitioning from that classic diner sit-down experience to a more streamlined fast-food model with self-service kiosks.

What really sets them apart is the variety. Sure, the Double Steakburger with Cheese is the classic, but then you've got options like the Garlic Double (which is exactly what it sounds like-garlic butter and garlic salt on everything), the Frisco Melt with Swiss and American cheese on sourdough, and the Western BBQ 'n Bacon with crispy fried onions. The combos typically run between $8-$11, which isn't bad for a full meal with fries and a drink.

And those milkshakes? They're not messing around. Over 20 flavors, from your standard chocolate and vanilla to Birthday Cake, Kit Kat, and seasonal options like pumpkin spice. A regular shake has somewhere between 550-700 calories, so yeah, they're indulgent. But that's kind of the point.

The company's been making some interesting moves lately, too. They started accepting Bitcoin payments, which is pretty forward-thinking for a burger chain. They're positioning themselves as a "maximum wage employer," trying to pay better than competitors in the fast-food space. And they're leaning hard into that heritage angle-celebrating 90+ years of serving the same core menu.