No more Steak N Shake for me

[speeder]

Matt, we've met once, (very briefly), that I recall when I was passing through Kansas pulling a trailer 18 years ago. I thought that you were a nice guy. I'm from the midwest, there isn't a lot to know about it and Minneapolis is the absolute crown jewel of that region, at least wrt education, finance, technology, healthcare and the arts. I was there last week and it's the podunks to me now. Bores the daylights out of me. It's the people. And the place.

I was skiing last year at Mammoth and there was a kid in the parking lot next to me having a phone conversation that could be easily heard while taking off my ski boots. He was arguing with someone over going to Austin for something, (he didn't want to go), and he said, "I live in a city. Why would I want to go to a schittier city?"

That really stuck with me. So succinct. There are plenty of places I want to go, (mostly Asia), but the rest of the U.S. holds zero interest unless it's a National Park or other beautiful destination. I live in the USA, why would I want to go to a duller part of the USA? I've seen it...I'm not missing some hidden charm. I don't need to meet more red state people, I've had my fill right here.

It's a shame that a web forum that used to be populated by some clever and amusing people sharing information and enthusiasm for Porsches has devolved into this. An utterly boring collection of grievances about trivial crap but at least there is a MAGA forum as well!

And yes, I am team California. Now more than ever, when we are under attack from goons in power and fools on the internet.

[vash]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

I'm gonna wear that one out today. Thanks!

I already used it once this morning!!

[vash]

I'm from Texas,but have learned to love all things California. BUT when I retire, I hope to drive all over this country of mine and eat some regional foods. some I know I will hate and not understand, some I hope to love. As a Californian, my proudest attribute is my open mind. I will travel forth wielding that chit. I see White Castle burgers frozen at stores, but I plan on eating one for realz.

I also give zero Fox as to what other think. hahah... I travel a lot. easily 75% of the time, the response I get when I say I am from California is, "I'm sorry". hahahahah.. last time I was in Mexico, a Dick family patriarch answered that way.. I repllied with this same statistic. I said, "yup..75% chance you were going with the Dick response - where are you from?"

"(insert his state here)"
"oh, I've never been there, is it nice? - you see how that was not a Dick response?"

the van ride was silence for the rest of the week. hahhaha..

[The Synergizer]

Chains become chains because in the beginning they had something good or unique to offer.
But then, through the passage of time, they all slide way down to the bottom.
cheaper yet lower quality ingredients, the help sucks, management sucks, no training, no care, obsession over profit versus quality, it just spirals down... and the consumers tastes change... But the majority of people keep eating there...

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

(14 minutes to Culver's - today may be the day)

They should call it the Almost Home burger as that's how far it got.

Outstanding! They walk it out to you. Fresh.

[speeder]

I should add that my other motto is, “whatever makes you happy.” It is just obvious to me that what makes you happy and me happy is it not the same thing.

Not directed at anyone in particular.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by vash

I'm from Texas,but have learned to love all things California. BUT when I retire, I hope to drive all over this country of mine and eat some regional foods. some I know I will hate and not understand, some I hope to love. As a Californian, my proudest attribute is my open mind. I will travel forth wielding that chit. I see White Castle burgers frozen at stores, but I plan on eating one for realz.

I also give zero Fox as to what other think. hahah... I travel a lot. easily 75% of the time, the response I get when I say I am from California is, "I'm sorry". hahahahah.. last time I was in Mexico, a Dick family patriarch answered that way.. I repllied with this same statistic. I said, "yup..75% chance you were going with the Dick response - where are you from?"

"(insert his state here)"
"oh, I've never been there, is it nice? - you see how that was not a Dick response?"

the van ride was silence for the rest of the week. hahhaha..

It’s obvious to anyone who reads this forum how much nicer of a person you are than me. I would treat someone like that as though they did not exist. I’m just all full up on stupidity. I can’t listen to a thousand stupid people all saying the same thing.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

They should call it the Almost Home burger as that's how far it got.
Outstanding! They walk it out to you. Fresh.

Great pic! It's making me hungry.
They have a large menu and I've tried about half the things...all good.


The best item may be regional...I don't know. Along with their plain fish sandwich, they offer a Walleye fish sandwich, in season. It's delicious.

.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

.......dining is more than shoveling down food. There is an experience involved.

+1

I went when to SNS when there was an experience. Early 2000's.

E.g., Pizza Hut was an amazing experience back in the day. Pizza was just acceptable but it was still a blast to chow there with the family.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by stevej37

The best item may be regional...I don't know.

Landlord here at the shop says the fish is really good but not at same level as the burger. I asked "But compared to the burger?" and he said "Nah, burger is very good".

Burger has a hint of that 1960's BK Whopper charbroil taste. Very fresh. Best I have had in any chain. Upscale chain bars have richer heavier burgers but not something you can compare to. It's a different food group.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Gotcha Denis, it’s about politics. Too bad people allow relatively petty stuff that they can’t change to so badly influence their lives. Btw I drove nearly an hour one way to meet you, I believe you were picking up a body part for your truck at a salvage yard. We had lunch and a beer at a nearby restaurant. I also recall we were both at a Pelican group meet up in LA many years ago.

I’ve been all over the country and always get something out of the experience of visiting somewhere new. Some good, some bad, but always an experience. Someday post kids I want to do cross country road trips in a fun car, avoiding the interstate. Getting back to the original theme of this thread, I’ve had amazing food in some of the most podunk places you can imagine. You just have to be open to it.

[gacook]

Originally Posted by speeder

I’ve yet to experience the mythical bum taking a crap on the sidewalk outside of a restaurant here, still waiting for that one. Maybe we can agree that we’re all fed what the corporate media wants to feed us as well?

Lots of good food here but of course everything is getting too expensive. We’re all a product of what we are exposed to, I’m just a hick from the Midwest but I’m constantly being exposed to a food scene that has leveled up my understanding of great food, even if I don’t get a chance to experience all of it. I just learned about this place today from an article in the local news, apparently it’s been voted the best restaurant in the world multiple times by food critics and it’s coming to LA:

https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2025-07-01/why-rene-redzepi-chose-los-angeles-for-next-noma-pop-up-residency

Never heard of it before but then I’m not a foodie on that level. Will be a tough reservation but still! I also know that this is a bit of a segue from the OP but hey, that’s OT.

I can't speak for LA but I saw a whole lot of it in San Fran. So disappointing--I loved that city.

[gacook]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

You ain't getting no hat at Culver's, tho.


(14 minutes to Culver's - today may be the day)

I have had Steak n Shake in the Naperville area (far west Chicago suburbs). I liked it.

I'll give a +1 to Culvers. Food isn't bad and the service is great (think Chick Fila).

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

Landlord here at the shop says the fish is really good but not at same level as the burger. I asked "But compared to the burger?" and he said "Nah, burger is very good".

Burger has a hint of that 1960's BK Whopper charbroil taste. Very fresh. Best I have had in any chain. Upscale chain bars have richer heavier burgers but not something you can compare to. It's a different food group.

I didn't explain the fish sandwich real well....
The one on the menu year around is ok...sorta like Arby's.

But they have a Walleye Fish Sandwich for maybe a month...that's the good one. They usually start advertising it on tv in September. Last year, I missed it entirely.


.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by gacook

I'll give a +1 to Culvers. Food isn't bad and the service is great (think Chick Fila).

Yeah, their gals are all super friendly....and it seems genuine.

.

[gacook]

Originally Posted by speeder

I should add that my other motto is, “whatever makes you happy.” It is just obvious to me that what makes you happy and me happy is it not the same thing.

Not directed at anyone in particular.

Fully concur with this philosophy. The world is made up of all kinds and that's just fine.

[speeder]

We would all get along a lot better in person. The internet is a weird place, at least for me. And Matt, I'm sorry if I'm not remembering the circumstances of meeting you correctly. My memory is crap and getting worse all the time.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

[speeder]

Shake Shack is the one we have here. I’m assuming that these similarly named places are about the same? I’ve never tried it but they seem to be located in touristy areas like Hollywood Blvd and the beach.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Shake Shack are pretty good, I go probably 4-5 times a year. When I rode my bike across country 2 years ago I went to Culvers. Only one burger but it wasn't great. In fact I think the one I got was cold and had to go get another one. And that was just OK.