Friday, December 29, 2006
Steak and Shake - St. Petersburg, FL
The Steak and Shake restaurant chain has roots that go back to 1934 Illinois. Gus Belt, the founder, would grind piles of steaks, including round, sirloin and T-bone steaks, during the busiest hours so his customers could see the meat being prepared. He coined the phrase, "In sight, it must be right." Mr. Belt continues to manage the growing chain of restaurants until his death in 1954. The family continued to conservatively operate the chain until it was sold in 1969. Even though the new owners expanded the chain to 130 units by 1975, several stores that were distant from the supply chain were closed, including the St. Petersburg store. In 1981 the chain agin changed hands and the new owners, E. W. Kelly d Associates, continued the expansion program and have more that 430 stores in 20 states. Two of those new stores are back in St. Petersburg, Florida.
My wife can remember the old Steak and Shake on 66th Avenue. In the 1970, she went there often as a school girl. She was happy to hear of the return of Steak and Shake and we make at east one stop there each tome we are in town for a visit. Of the two store in town, the Park Street location is the closest and the subject of this critique.
The stores are well scrubbed and maintained inside and out. After several years, the store looks new, just like the grand opening. The chrome is polished, the tile shiny and there are no cracks or gaps that I have seen. The glass is clean. The tables, chair and booths are in excellent condition. The staff is quick and efficient and the orders always seem to come out right.
Mailers and newspapers have coupons for Steak and Shake. They are a good deal because one coupon is good for all the covered dishes on the one check. If everybody orders the same thing, everyone gets the coupon discount. On this particular day, three of us went to dinner and we all ordered the Steak and Shake Dinner. Normally $7.99, the dinners were $5.99 each, a savings $6.00 dollars for the three of us.
The dinner platters are a good deal because they include the milk shake and a choice of two side dishes. You can choose between french fries, coleslaw, chili, baked beans in their trademark miniature bean crock , cottage cheese, soup or salad. Cheese, onion rings and a few other items are extra, but you are well on your way to a complete dinners with the platter.
On this visit my choice was the Steak and Shake Dinner Platter with everything. I chose to add cheese, and selected the French fries and baked beans for my side dishes. I asked for a vanilla shake. The burger is served open faced. The plate is full with the sandwich, the French Fries as well as the lettuce, tomato and onion slices and pickle. By the time you have assembled your burger, you need both hands to keep it together. When my order arrived, the food was hot, attractively plated and the cook had not skimped on the relishes. The serving of shoestringFrench fries was adequate. The milk shake glass full, topped with a cherry and whipped cream. It was frosty and thick, a perfect compliment to the burger and fries. I was perfectly happy, as were my dining companions, that our food had been delivered as ordered, was as we expected.
Their menu features a large number of other sandwiches, clubs and melts, besides the burgers. There are also chili, soups and pasta dishes. The menu also features a large number of breakfast items - You can have Steak and Shake for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
We enjoyed our meal and the staff was courteous and efficient. The coupons made for a sizeable savings and, as a result, we shall be back for more Steak and Shake. ¶ 9:37 PM
The Steak and Shake restaurant chain has roots that go back to 1934 Illinois. Gus Belt, the founder, would grind piles of steaks, including round, sirloin and T-bone steaks, during the busiest hours so his customers could see the meat being prepared. He coined the phrase, "In sight, it must be right." Mr. Belt continues to manage the growing chain of restaurants until his death in 1954. The family continued to conservatively operate the chain until it was sold in 1969. Even though the new owners expanded the chain to 130 units by 1975, several stores that were distant from the supply chain were closed, including the St. Petersburg store. In 1981 the chain agin changed hands and the new owners, E. W. Kelly d Associates, continued the expansion program and have more that 430 stores in 20 states. Two of those new stores are back in St. Petersburg, Florida.
My wife can remember the old Steak and Shake on 66th Avenue. In the 1970, she went there often as a school girl. She was happy to hear of the return of Steak and Shake and we make at east one stop there each tome we are in town for a visit. Of the two store in town, the Park Street location is the closest and the subject of this critique.
The stores are well scrubbed and maintained inside and out. After several years, the store looks new, just like the grand opening. The chrome is polished, the tile shiny and there are no cracks or gaps that I have seen. The glass is clean. The tables, chair and booths are in excellent condition. The staff is quick and efficient and the orders always seem to come out right.
Mailers and newspapers have coupons for Steak and Shake. They are a good deal because one coupon is good for all the covered dishes on the one check. If everybody orders the same thing, everyone gets the coupon discount. On this particular day, three of us went to dinner and we all ordered the Steak and Shake Dinner. Normally $7.99, the dinners were $5.99 each, a savings $6.00 dollars for the three of us.
The dinner platters are a good deal because they include the milk shake and a choice of two side dishes. You can choose between french fries, coleslaw, chili, baked beans in their trademark miniature bean crock , cottage cheese, soup or salad. Cheese, onion rings and a few other items are extra, but you are well on your way to a complete dinners with the platter.
On this visit my choice was the Steak and Shake Dinner Platter with everything. I chose to add cheese, and selected the French fries and baked beans for my side dishes. I asked for a vanilla shake. The burger is served open faced. The plate is full with the sandwich, the French Fries as well as the lettuce, tomato and onion slices and pickle. By the time you have assembled your burger, you need both hands to keep it together. When my order arrived, the food was hot, attractively plated and the cook had not skimped on the relishes. The serving of shoestringFrench fries was adequate. The milk shake glass full, topped with a cherry and whipped cream. It was frosty and thick, a perfect compliment to the burger and fries. I was perfectly happy, as were my dining companions, that our food had been delivered as ordered, was as we expected.
Their menu features a large number of other sandwiches, clubs and melts, besides the burgers. There are also chili, soups and pasta dishes. The menu also features a large number of breakfast items - You can have Steak and Shake for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
We enjoyed our meal and the staff was courteous and efficient. The coupons made for a sizeable savings and, as a result, we shall be back for more Steak and Shake. ¶ 9:37 PM
