Steak 'n Shake — Restaurant in West Melbourne

We have been patrons of Steak 'n Shake for many, many years! In all that time, I regret to say this particular location is THE worst I've ever experienced while dining at any Steak 'n Shake restaurant.

After reading the other reviewers comments, I concur that the problem HAS to be management related. My last two previous visits here were almost identical in the types of problems I'm going to write about here.

Once inside, I had over a 5 minute wait to be acknowledged or even greeted, even though several servers saw me. They did nothing, as they walked right past me. I finally caught the attention of what I believe was the manager, in a pink shirt. From behind the register, he asked if I was being helped. I replied no and I’ve been standing here for quite a long time. He seated me.

After being seated, I had another 5 minute wait. No one came to welcome me or to take my drink order. I had to catch the attention of a server that was sweeping. She walked towards the kitchen, with hardly a word to me and I could hear her tell someone I was waiting.

At 11:30 pm, the place was not busy, only 7 small tables of people eating.

5 tables had not been bussed, plenty of soiled plates, glasses, napkins, etc. The floor, in general, was very messy, including an A1 bottle on it’s side, strewn napkins, a partial hot dog, and scatterings of french fries.

My two top table was very wobbly. There was a wad of napkins under one leg in an attempt to stabilize it, to no avail. Good thing I don't get seasick.. There was a big greasy spot on the seat, right where I was to be sitting. I had a server bring me some napkins and I wiped the seat clean.

A young woman approached and announced she would be my server and would be taking care of me. Her name was Destiny. Once Destiny took over, things went well, surprisingly, since moments before I was ready to walk out!

She took my drink and food orders promptly. She correctly brought out my drink and cup of chili first, as I requested. Then she delivered my burger and fries. The food was fairly typical of what you'd expect from ANY Steak 'n Shake. I had no issues with Destiny or my food.

Destiny was the ONLY saving grace about this visit, as I was certainly ready to walk out before she took over.

This situation really bothers me, for a whole lot of reasons. First, in January, I had occasion to write a stellar review of another Steak 'n Shake location, the store located in Trinity, Florida. I had a wonderful experience there and I wrote quite highly about it! That review is here on Google if you'd like to read it!

And mainly because the problems at this Melbourne location appear to be ongoing, in spite of multiple complaints and issues from other patrons' reviews. It appears as nothing is being done to rectify the issues.

In closing, I'm writing this unbiased and honest review in the hopes that my hometown's Steak 'n Shake can become The Best one around!

And, after completing this review, I will be contacting the corporate headquarters, via the phone number listed on my receipt, to voice my concerns. Let's see if anything changes. I...

Being an avid restaurant goer I try to be as open-minded and understanding to all possible scenarios and situations that could be going on especially for those restaurants who are actually open 24 hours for the insomniacs like myself. With that in mind I was not pleased at all about my experience at Steak and Shake. It appeared that there were two people working a manager and one employee. When I got there there were three tables actually sat all for our under parties with their food and neither employees were helping any of those tables out . Yet I could not get sat when I arrived by the waitress. The the manager had to come around and sit me the waitress was not at a table and did not appear to be in the process of taking food to anyone. Things seemed to look up when my waitress came to my table eventually with a smile. My food came quite quickly, unfortunately the 2 for $3 deal that I had orderd( this being off of the menu that I had to ask for since it wasn't brought to me) an All American Burger and Fries×2 was subpar to say the least. The fries were crisp and fresh and hot amazingly enough . The burgers on the other hand we're terrible. Now I understand with being a specialty menu with a value price to expect smaller portions but that does not excuse the total lack of culinary prowess. The meat was disgusting they looked like a very thin set of wet paper towels which would have probably been thicker than the Patti that was served. On both burgers with the top bun off I could see the bottom bun in multiple areas because the patties were so so small they looked like chunks of meat that would go in chili. Taking a bite was just like eating a bread sandwich with meat sauce leavings that was cold. I only saw my waitress One Last Time shortly after she brought my food and that was to drop off my check.I waited at least 10 minutes before having to get up and actually get my own refill. I could not see either employees from where I was sitting. Now I did not just immediately go to get my own drink I did go to the counter to try to get some help but could not see the employees anywhere. So I took it upon myself to refill my cup. I sat back down to finish my fries since they were the only food that I want to risk consumeing. Waited 5-10 more minutes but still no waitress or manager so I left my money on the counter with my receipt with the hope that they would get it and process it before some other customer would come in and see it sitting there since they were nowhere to be found and take it. Again, I try to be open minded to situations out of someone's control. Maybe they both possibly fell in the walk in cooler and bumped each other's head and were passed out? I hope that's not the case. I really hope that they were not in that cooler fornicating! I would definitely recommend steering clear of Steak'n Shake at these hours of the morning until the service and food preparation are improved...

I come here relatively frequently, to be honest as they offer drive-thru (relative) expediency and dine in seating. I usually go through the drive-thru (which has had a nearby street light near the drive thru window that has been strobing for awhile... that needs to be fixed).

However, it had been awhile since I've gone inside, so I went with my wife and 3 of our children. Walked in, ordered off a touch screen by the front door, then off to easily find a booth to sit at, because we apparently just beat the incoming lunch crowd.

We ordered 5 burgers, 4 with fries and one with onion rings. We also ordered two soft drinks and 2 milkshakes.

I went up to fill out soft-drinks, but the machine didn't dispense. I returned to the table and checked my receipt; the receipt came with 2 QR codes at the bottom, one for each of the soft drinks. I tried using my phone to scan the code several times, each unsuccessfully.

I went back to the drink station, and another customer pointed to the scanner. It took several swipes to get it to allow me to fill up my drink, then several more for my spouse's. I would have to repeat this ritual when we tried to get refills, it was irritating.

About 15 minutes before our names were called. I went and picked up the food and brought it to the table. We were told the shakes would take about 5 more minutes.

The food is 'high-end' fast food quality. It isn't Taco Bell quality mystery meat, but the ingredients are a fat cry from any Michelin Star restaurant. The food tastes good, and you get a LOT of fries. The burgers are pretty average size. You get a reasonable return on your investment.

After the youngest two had completely filled themselves on fries (with more remaining on their plates next to their untouched burgers), or more accurately, about 10-15 minutes later, the shakes were done.

After completing my own meal, my initial and one refill of my drink, I was forced to help two of my boys conquer the remains of their shakes. The shakes are tall and taste great. ALSO a worthy value.

Overall review:

Inside - there really isn't much for service at all anymore, as you pretty much do everything but collecting and cooking the food or the resulting dishes. There isn't really much employee interaction at all, really, other than the call of your name and confirmation of the order when you come up to collect.

Drive thru - quick service, usually. But PLEASE get that light fixed.

Value and taste: worth it without...