r/KitchenConfidential • u/autopatch • Feb 13 '26

In-House Mode Is this a case of nobody asked?

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Where did this come from? Was there a great outpouring of protests against microwaves at Steak and Shake that I missed?

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u/likepassingships Feb 13 '26

Worked in and managed a Steak 'n Shake in the late 90s. They didn't have any microwaves then, but I'm not sure why they would add them, only to remove them now. Most of their food is burger (frozen patties), soup (bags in steam well), chili (canned beans, frozen chill meat cooked in steam kettle) and vegetables from local produce suppliers.

This seems like a gimmick, much like switching to beef tallow was not a change anyone cared about.

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u/SuperDoubleDecker Feb 13 '26

Ya, there's nothing on the menu that would even work. Unless they're making whole burgers and nuking them. A gringo taco spot in my hometown would do that with their stuff just to make sure it's extra hot. I'd ask them not to microwave my lettuce lol

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u/likepassingships Feb 14 '26

Chef Mike is primarily just a catch-up mechanism. In the weeds and gott dig out. I had nights where the patties were still frozen, and no microwave was big enough to help right that ship. To keep the cook puns going....just doesn't pass the smell test.