18 - Steak ‘n Shake with Evan Susser

"Steak 'n Shake with Evan Susser" is Episode 18 of *Doughboys*. Hosted by Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger, with guest Evan Susser. "Steak 'n Shake with Evan Susser" was released on September 9, 2015.

## Synopsis

Screenwriter and friend of the podcast Evan Susser (*Sonic the Hedgehog*, *Fist Fight*) joins in studio to convey his passion for Steak ‘n Shake to neophytes Nick and Mitch. But do they really get the full experience? Plus: a jellybean edition of Snack or Wack.

## Nick's intro

Our tale begins in a town called Normal.

Normal, Illinois: where in 1934, a retired Marine named Gus Belt transformed his combination restaurant-and-gas-station known as Shell's Chicken into a hamburger joint. Belt won over locals skeptical of a still-unfamiliar product known as 'ground beef' by parading fresh steaks into the dining area and grinding them in full view of his customers, and so the restaurant's signature SteakBurger was born.

After Belt's death in 1954, a series of owners expanded the chain across the Midwest, making the burger-and-milkshake outlet a staple of the Heartland until a downturn due to the financial crisis of 2008.

Enter Sardar Biglari, a San Antonio-based Iranian-American investor and acolyte of Warren Buffett, who at just 34-years old seized his opportunity and wrangled a hostile takeover to become chairman. Biglari Holdings, his eponymous investment company, which also owns *Maxim Magazine* and a substantial portion of Cracker Barrel, has put his stamp on the burger chain - literally, as many new locations are now branded as 'By Biglari'; a partly-egotistical, partly-Capitalist measure that ensures he'll collect substantial licensing fees should he ever be forced out.

Now with 500 locations, this Midwest institution is attempting to conquer the globe, including by opening its first California locations just this past year, making this very episode possible.

This week on *Doughboys*: Steak 'n Shake.

## Fork rating

* Frisco Melt
* Cheese Fries (large)
* Butterfinger Shake (small)
 Mike Mitchell
* Original Steakburger
* Thin 'n Crispy Fries (Seasoned)
* Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Shake
 Evan Susser
* Thin 'n Crispy Fries (Cajun)
* Cookie Butter Shake

Nick, Mitch, and Susser (and Susser's wife) went to a Steak 'n Shake together, however Susser compares it to an 'airport kiosk' version, since it had a smaller, limited menu. This initial rating should be seen in that light, and they all agree that this episode was a tentative review until they can get to a full, regular Steak 'n Shake.

[Note: Nick revised his score from 3 forks to 1 fork during the second Steak 'n Shake episode. -ed.]*.*

## Snack or Wack

In Snack or Wack, the Doughboyshavema snack and decide if it is good or bad.

In this episode, they have Jelly Belly Pancakes & Maple Syrup jellybeans.

Nick declares himself a 'jellybean skeptic' and that he hates them. Susser loves jellybeans. Mitch like some, doesn't like some.

Susser loved these pancake jellybeans, and Nick and Mitch were also impressed. Mitch declines to give these the Spoonman Stamp of Approval, however.

 Mike Mitchell
 Evan Susser

## Sonic Questions

* Is it freeing at all to write these scenes where Sonic is running really fast?
* Is Tails going to make an appearance?

## #hashtags

* #HowdyHo and #HowdyHoSpoonman
* #Feedbag

## The Feedbag

 Mike Mitchell
 Evan Susser

## Related Episodes

* 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)