An open letter to Steak 'n Shake

First off, let me say that this is not a regular "Pihl Pastures" kind of post and that I may or may not say things that may or may not offend my typical readers. However, since I am a fairly rational, intelligent adult, I will try to refrain from at least excessive use of ignorant words.

We have a Steak and Shake across the street from us, here in Ocala. Usually, the parking lot is quite sparse, as are most restaurants around here lately. The economic downturn forces the majority of us to stay home and cook. A few weeks ago, we noticed a sign that had been put up on Steak and Shake's roof: "Kids eat free all weekend long!" WOW! Okay, so this is great! We can have a special treat on the weekend for the kids and eat out and it will only cost us for our meals. Oh, the naivety! To think that a business would actually conduct themselves in an ethical manner and use truth in advertising! This is where the utter frustration, betrayal and disgust comes in.

The first time we tried to go was at lunch. Because of the sign posted on the building advertising free kids meals, the parking lot was so packed that people were waiting outside in the cold in a 30 minute line. We chose not to wait and to come back later in the day. But, those poor people, those people that chose to wait, in the cold of the day with small children in excess of 30 minutes for a table were lied to, just as we were lied to. These people waited for that long and were never given the opportunity to learn the truth until after they had already been seated. After they had been roped in. After they were so hungry that going anywhere else would have been an endeavor in futility. And I say, how dare you Steak and Shake?

Here's the run down. Once you walk in, you wait and wait and wait to be seated. Why? Because this is a glorified McDonald's pretending to be something it's not - a real restaurant. So, you wait to be seated by a server who eventually serves you a burger patty so thin, it would actually take 3 patties stacked together to make the thickness of a McDonald's patty. But, I digress. While standing and waiting to be seated, One looks around and finds no written advertising regarding the Kids Meals and their freeness. So, one has to wait to actually be seated before one can ask their server about said offer. It is then, and only then, one learns that to get a single free kids meal (valued at $2.50 - because drinks are EXTRA and don't come with the kid's meal like most other fast food establishments), one must spend $9 per adult for one kid's meal. Now realize this: that's not even possible at Steak and Shake! For instance, Jeremy ordered the most expensive thing on the menu, which was the Steak and Shake meal consisting of a burger, 2 sides and a shake for $7.99. Yup - just under $9. So, for us to even earn 1 free kids meal, we either have to order more than we would otherwise eat, or get one free kids meal for every 2 adults.

Listen, I can understand that nothing is free. I could understand the offer being one free kids meal for every adult meal purchased. That would have at least been fair and in the general realm of truth in advertising. But there is not an ounce of truth in their advertising. Had Jeremy walked in there with even just one of our children, he would not have been able to take advantage of the free kids meal because what he ordered would not have equaled $9. So, in truth, there are very few families, very few people, that would qualify for this "Kids eat free all weekend" offer.

Lies! Complete and utter false advertising. And I say, how dare you Steak and Shake? Yes, I know I already said, it, but I say it again. How dare you flat out lie and take advantage of people during this economic time of uncertainty. People whom you know would not otherwise choose to eat out, save your ridiculous offer of lies? There is no asterisk on the signage. No fine print. How do you get away with this? Is there no code of ethics at all? My husband is an IT consultant. Let's say he offers a free iMac with every service. The catch is, your service has to equal $5000 before you qualify for that offer, but that detail is nowhere in writing, nor does he offer that information before he starts your service. You could then, sue him for false advertising. Explain to me the difference between this and that. You, Steak and Shake, are no less robbing people, no less stealing form them their hard earned money that you know they otherwise never would have spent at your establishment.

So, for all the people who read this blog, for all the people who see the Facebook post or the tweet on Twitter, I say boycott. Sure, one person's indignation does not amount to much. But a state, a region, a country of people standing up, speaking out against establishments that choose to lie to us and steal from us and take advantage of us during such a time as this, will surely do something. Leave a comment to this post, pledging your commitment to change - your commitment to stand up to those taking advantage. Join the Facebook group boycotting Steak and Shake. This is about truth, about justice, about ethics and most importantly, about change.