A New, Retro-Futuristic Steak 'n Shake is Now Open in Waukee

Not long after making a seismic change to their French fries across all their restaurants, a restaurant chain is trying out its newest design on an Iowa city outside of Des Moines.

Steak 'n Shake has been a Midwestern staple for decades, and boasts over 400 locations across the country. It's predicated on a nostalgic vibe of 1950s diners and malt shops. Now, it's trialing a new restaurant concept with a "next-generation prototype," per The Des Moines Register.

Waukee's New Steak 'n Shake:

The new Waukee Steak 'n Shake, located at 1045 S.E. Alice’s Road, is the first-of-its-kind in the United States. Owned and operated by Ryan Winter, who also operates a location in West Des Moines, he was motivated to bring the restaurant to central Iowa due to its "iconic menu" and the company's propensity to offer great value. Its menu of steakburgers, shoestring fries, and milkshakes has been beloved by generations.

But this location in Waukee is different. It's a 2,750-square-foot restaurant that is structurally unique from its counterparts. The Des Moines Register broke down all the ways in which it's different:

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A return of the iconic burger‑man mascot character street sign.
Floor‑to‑ceiling dining room windows.
Classic black‑and‑white heritage color palette.
Tile exterior walls.
A themed drive‑thru equipped with digital menu boards.

In addition, the shake bar functions like a "store within a store," with old-fashioned mixers and a soda-fountain back-bar. Pendant lightning, vintage Steak 'n Shake newsletters, old photos, and a glowing Route 66 neon sign can also be found in the new Waukee location. It all pays homage to the chain's roots, which began in Normal, IL back in 1934.

What Steak 'n Shake is Known For:

Steak 'n Shake is most famous for its signature steakburgers, but also its hand-dipped shakes. Recently, the recipe for the company's famous shoestring fries changed; they are now cooked in beef tallow.

The brand new Waukee Steak 'n Shake location is now open for business at 1045 S.E. Alice’s Road. Find out more on The Des Moines Register's website.