Steak 'n Shake 4 with Evan Susser

"Steak 'n Shake 4 with Evan Susser" is Episode 233 of *Doughboys*, hosted by Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger. "Steak 'n Shake 4 with Evan Susser" was released on December 19, 2019.

## Synopsis

The commissioner returns for the final episode of 2019! Susser (*Deli Boys*, *Brooklyn 99*) and the 'boys head back to Steak 'n Shake, a midwest chain with a tumultuous history. Plus, the final Snack or Wack of 2019.

## Nick's intro

Three years! Three years since this podcast's last visit to the Midwest hot-beef and cold-dairy chain founded in 1934 in the town of Normal, Illinois. A momentous, but often contentious three years in *Doughboys* history that parallel the travails of planet Earth: the rise of the far right in the West and populous opposition movements in the East; the continuation, and pending conclusion, of the Disney *Star Wars* sequel trilogy; and the birth, death, and rebirth of the Popeye's Chicken Sandwich.

And this burger-and-sweet-treat chain with a rhyming name too has had some momentous recent history.

Under the stewardship of majority stakeholder, Sardar Biglari, the Trump-esque *Maxim* *Magazine* publisher who engineered a hostile takeover in 2008 and promptly added his name to the signage, the chain expanded from the Midwest to blanket North America and establish outposts overseas - a venture that may have been an exercise in hubris by Biglari, as a rash of new locations have shuttered in quick succession.

Billings, Montana? Opened and closed.

Fresno, California? Opened and closed.

Millersville, Maryland? Opened and closed, and subsequently its franchise owner arrested for attempting to murder his wife and burn down his business for insurance money in the face of crushing financial pressures.

The chain's quixotic UK expansion too ended after its lone British Isles location Brexited less than two years after its founding.

The closures even touched a location reviewed by this very podcast and guest. Its Victorville, California outlet closed in February of 2018. That same year, the number of customers hit an eight-year low, as same-store sales dropped 5.1%.

So as the planet burns, often literally from ever-increasing global temperatures, will the sun metaphorically rise once again on Sardar Biglari's heartland hamburgery?

This week on the final new *Doughboys* of 2019, we return, once again, to Steak 'n Shake.

## Fork rating

As the title implies, this is The Doughboys' fourth visit to Steak 'n Shake (all with Susser).

Their first visit was in episode 18, where they mistakenly visited an 'airport kiosk' version of the restaurant and rated it 2.67 (Nick gave it 1 fork). Then in episode 31, they traveled to Victorville, CA to visit a full restaurant, and they all gave it 5 forks and Steak 'n Shake made the Platinum Plate Club. Next, in episode 82, they returned and dropped scores all the way to 2.17 (this was also the famous "blow-up" episode).

(Also, in episode 42, Steak 'n Shake lost to Five Guys in the **Tournament of Chompions: Burger Brawl**.)

Three years after that last episode, the Doughboys give it yet another year-end review. They were initially planning to try Steak 'n Shake's breakfast for this episode, but switched it to lunch.

 Mike Mitchell
* Fries
 Evan Susser
* Fries
 shared
* Spicy Chicken Sandwich 'n Fries
* Oreo Cookies 'n Cream Red Velvet Shake
* M&M's Shake

## Snack or Wack

In Snack or Wack, The Doughboys have a snack and rate it either 'snack' or 'wack.'

For this episode, they try, straight from Quincy, oven fries. They have Ore-Ida Golden Crinkles, which they crisp up at 450, just like Mitch's Ma.

 Mike Mitchell
 Evan Susser
 Emma Erdbrink

## Quotes

**Mitch**: What do you mean 'weird'?
**Evan**: It's weird that you're imagining him wanting chili in his bassoon. It's weird!

## #hashtags

* #NoDay
* #PayDay
* #sNOnic
* #SnowDay
* #OvenMys

## The Feedbag (Mt. Sandmore)

Bonus: Sandler is the king of shameless brand integration. What is your favorite product placement in a Sandler movie? Most memorable product placement in a movie or TV show, in general?

(Nick was not serious here, but screw it, your list is canon now, man.)

(Nick's real picks: *Punch-Drunk Love*, *Happy Gilmore*, *Wedding Singer*, and *Grown Ups 2*.)

## Related Episodes

* 82. Steak 'n Shake 3
* 233. **Steak 'n Shake 4**
* 281. Steak 'n Shake 5
* 330. Monty's Good Burger
* 379. Shake Shack 3
* 427. The Musso & Frank Grill
* 31. Steak 'n Shake 2
* 42. Burger Brawl - Mild Card Round
* 82. Steak 'n Shake 3
* 233. **Steak 'n Shake 4**
* 281. Steak 'n Shake 5 (sort of)

## Photos

Classic Footlong 'n FriesChili Mac SupremeFriesHot-Dog JuicePrime SteakburgerSpicy Chicken SandwichGrilled Portobello 'n Swiss BurgerM&M's Shake and Oreo Cookies 'n Cream Red Velvet Shake