Steak 'n Shake — Restaurant in Kokomo

Tonight my boyfriend and came here to grab some chili and ice cream because I have been super sick the last few days. The restaurant was pretty busy, but there were empty tables and booths surrounding one specific couple (which we thought was odd). We waited awhile before someone came to seat us and TWO waitresses said to us, “we are waiting to clean some tables and booths elsewhere, you don’t want to sit next to those people, they smell super bad, it’s terrible.” My boyfriend and I looked at each other completely heartbroken for these people. We watched them wait for their bill FOREVER and we watched the woman go to the bar and wait FOREVER AGAIN because she needed a box to take the rest of her food home. They got terrible service because they “smelled bad.” They were dressed poorly and clearly knew that everyone was avoiding them. The husband kept looking around totally embarrassed and the woman was getting frustrated. The waitresses were openly talking about how “disgusting” this couple was and how “terrible” they smelled and how they were “stinking up the whole place.” I understand that a restaurant needs to follow codes and should hold a standard to cleanliness, but I also know that a restaurant in town that serves $3.99 meals should also be prepared to have customers who may be less fortunate, where sitting at a restaurant to eat two chicken tenders and French fries might be the best meal they ate all week. My boyfriend and I sat at our booth and I just cried because of how horrible all of it was to watch. The couple had coins left in their pockets and played the claw game and won a stuffed animal and all I could do was praise God that they won something because after what they endured, they deserved something good. I am writing this review because regardless of how they smelled, we don’t know WHY they smelled. It’s easy to judge and assume, but that’s all it is - is judgements and assumptions. I am writing this review because I wish I would have gotten out of my booth to talk to them and reassure them that while people may fail by judging and assuming, Jesus does not. I wish I would have gotten up to share with them that there is a place for them in the house of the Lord - where they WON’T be out of place. Next time there is a “smelly” couple at a restaurant in tattered clothes and maybe a yucky atttitude, my boyfriend and I will ASK to be seated next to them. I urge anyone who reads this review to do the same - because you never know what’s actually gone on in someone’s story that got them to that place at that time. It might not be an accident that you’re there...

It been a very long while (three plus years) since I have stepped foot into this restaurant (not because of any negative issue, mind you) and the other day I was craving a shake and looked around for quite some time, without any luck. I know pricing has gone up almost across the board in this particular industry especially but some places (IHOP) wanted upwards of $7 for a small (16 oz.) and plain even, that's just Ludacris! I was on Doordash (I am going to leave a separate review for them; however, I must touch upon them briefly, I have NEVER in my entire life experienced the level of service I received from them just a few short days back , it was horrendous, incomprehensible and fraudulent! They (or at least the member of management representing them) were using a personal stash of money (and guarding it very tightly) apposed to the companies') Sorry, back to a company that actually cares! I decided to just take a trip to the restaurant and when I arrived, I was immediately pleasantly surprised, I noticed that the prices were quite a bit lower than what Doordash was advertising (DD, almost $6 S&S almost $4) I increased my order from 2 to 4 shakes and got some other drinks for far less than what I would have paid using Doordash it only came to around $15! The outcome was very favorable, they were delicious, made of quality and substantial! Also the service was fast and courteous to boot (the complete package) the ordering process is unique, you don't talk to a human or approach a counter, you simply use a kiosk, it takes a second to get your bearings but, after using it, I actually prefer that method it was very intuitive and you can take your time, look though all the options and change your mind ten times if you so desire without an cashier getting upset and the end result is you are 100 percent more likely to receive the correct items! This was by FAR the most pleasant, positive and overall best experience of the year for me! They have not only earned a top score of a 100%, they have gained a loyal and frequent new customer for life (of course, bearing no slips in service or drastic changes)! Thank you Steak 'n Shake for turning the worst year of customer service (dead-ends and disappointments) around for me and proving that customer service and quality may still have hope yet. In my profile it states I'm always looking for that hidden gem, well it has been a VERY long time but I'm very glad to proclaim I found one! Don't change my new friends (like many have recently) keep on the same trajectory and you will most...

Upsetting. Somehow every time I've stopped at this particular SS I get the same exact waitress. I'm starting to think she's the only one that works their floor. Reddish hair, older, curt, and mostly just rude. I ordered chili and fries. The chili was cold. I mean like out of a can cold. The plate and bowl were warm but that's not what counts. When...and I mean I had to keep waving at her for several minutes to get her attention...even then she waited in till both our fries were ready and brought that to us before she asked what was so URGENT. Seriously! (Your the waitress, I'm the customer. I'm paying YOU for the privilege to be SERVED by you.) When I told her it was cold she said "your not eating it " as if I would. Yes....because it's cold. (Rolling my eyes) She then said she would put it in the microwave. Really. Moments later she returns and says "be careful it's really hot." Yes, the plate and bowl were hot. In fact the edges of the soup were bubbling...however the center was ice cold. I stired it up and that gave me a Luke-warm soup. I did eat it but I was not happy about it. I would have sent it back again but she never returned in a timely manner and we were there to EAT. Then to make matters worse more of our family came in and we needed a table and she said no. NO. Unless we wanted to squeeze into a booth. 4 adults and one heavy set teenager...ummm no. What would you do? She said she could put our booths back to back. No pushing tables together. We said no thanks and stayed where we were and mom ran back and forth as she thought of something she wanted to say. When we went to pay she confused my sister and my bill. Sigh... In the end she took the chilli off my bill. Obviously I was not and am not happy. Sad thing is we like SS in general so when were are through Kokomo that's where we stop. This lady makes it a troubled experience...