Fast food chain branches out to Fresno

A land dominated by fast food chains such as In-N-Out and McDonald’s, now boasts yet another chain. One of the oldest fast food chains in America is continuing to expand into the Golden State.

Steak ‘n Shake, established in Illinois in 1934, operates as a casual restaurant and fast food chain with locations mainly in the midwest and the southern United States. Their 544 locations worldwide serve as a fast-food and sit-down-dinner hybrid.

Founder Gus Belt converted a gas station/chicken restaurant he owned into a hamburger stand. Belt brought real steak beef into the public area where he took the meat and ground it into burger patties so customers knew they were receiving real meat.

When Steak ‘n Shake announced they were expanding into Fresno, I felt ecstatic. After eating there during trips to Indiana, Chicago, and New York, and enjoying my experience at each one, I needed to go back. Each dinner and restaurant was unique and memorable in their own ways, not to mention extremely tasty.

Steak ‘n Shake opened in Fresno on the corner of Kings Canyon and Peach, March 6. I was finally able to eat at a childhood favorite again.

Arriving, it was fairly crowded, but not uncomfortable. The seating is spacious and the outdoor patio offers extra tables. I waited in line and ordered my food, which is a tiny bit more expensive than a normal fast food place.

I sat down with my number and waited. At a normal restaurant, a half-hour wait is fine. At a fast food shop that is not very busy, a half hour is a long time. When my food arrived, I went straight to my original double cheeseburger. For a fast food burger, I thought it was very top of the line. There was definitely a difference in the meat’s taste, which I loved. It cost $6.89, including fries.

Along with my burger, I ordered the garden salad. The salad tasted fresh, cold and included a variety of toppings. The highlight was the freshly cut avocado. I would recommend this, although for the size, $7.49 seemed pricey.

The thin ‘n crispy fries were exactly what they sound like– thin ‘n crispy. I loved the small cut fries and almost went to order more. However, the large amount of salt turned my taste buds away eventually.

At the end of my meal I suddenly realized, the milkshake did not get delivered. After asking for it an additional two times, it got handed to me while leaving. Almost an hour after walking in, I received my milkshake and hoped it was worth the wait and the $4.99.

Thinking back to my previous Steak ‘n Shake milkshake experiences, I became disappointed. It tasted good, but not great. Topped with whipped cream, oreo crumbs and a cherry, it tasted like a normal milkshake and the texture was almost too thin. However, I would order another one.

For more food reviews, read about the House of Juju in Clovis.

This author can be reached via twitter @alexrurik23 and via email Alexander Rurik.