This Is Why Steak 'N Shake's Burgers Are So Delicious
Steak 'n Shake has been around since the 1930s and has long been a popular diner that hungry Americans have turned to when looking for a good burger and hand-dipped shake. Speaking of burgers, Steak 'n Shake makes it clear from the start that they don't serve hamburgers, they serve "steakburgers." While the restaurant has certainly seen its fair share of ups and downs, folks seem to keep coming back for those steakburgers that can be ordered just about any hour of the day.
But what is a steakburger, and how are these burgers so different and tastier than much of the fast food competition?
It's all about how the burgers are cooked
Steak 'n Shake may not have the rabid following In-N-Out, or be growing at the lightening speed of Five Guys, but there's no denying that they know what they're doing when it comes to burgers. When looking at what makes these burgers so unique, we've got to start first off with the beef.
The beef used is a combination of never frozen ground round, sirloin, and T-bone steak meat, hence the name "steakburgers" (via Serious Eats). Just as important as the beef used is how it's cooked to deliver that delicious steakburger. Steak 'n Shake uses the "smash technique" when preparing their burgers. "They're actually thick when they get put on the grill," an employee revealed on Reddit. "We press them down and in an outward motion — and they cook much faster when they're thinner."
Besides helping the burgers cook more quickly, the smash technique gives the burgers a crispy edge that really puts them in a league of their own. And unlike the usual way of cooking a cheeseburger by putting the cheese on the patty while it's still on the grill, Steak 'n Shake adds the cheese after it's been taken off the grill. The heat from the warm bun melts the cheese just to achieve steakburger perfection. Oh, and let's not forget that the bun is actually toasted in butter, only adding to the goodness.
The Steak 'n Shake burger is certainly no-frills, and while it may not be the newest burger on the block, it's a classic favorite in the eyes of many hungry customers.