One of our favorite things to do as a family is visit Steak ‘n Shake for their delicious cheese fries.

This morning, when I got my kiddos back from their vacation with their dad, I decided to treat them to Steak ‘n Shake as a celebratory “welcome home.”

When we walked in, there was a HUGE sign on the building that stated “Kids Eat Free all Weekend.” The finest print on the sign said “One kid’s meal for each $8 spent,” and “Dine-in only.”

We ordered two large orders of cheese fries, a kids cheeseburger meal, two drinks and a shake. The total was $16. (The price of the kids meal was $2.89.)

When I questioned why the kids meal wasn’t deducted from my check, the store’s general manager informed me that “Each adult purchase has to equal $8.” I don’t know what the heck he meant by that, but still, I had $13ish in purchases other than the kids meal itself.

Not only was he nonsensical in his explanation, but he was also rude about it. I know it was only $2.89, but it was the principle that has had me thinking about it all day!

First of all, to support (I think) his theory, it would have required me to order a meal off the menu of $8 or more… I don’t have a menu in front of me, but I’m racking my brain and can’t think of *anything* that would be more than $8. This is one of the reasons I LIKE Steak ‘n Shake! It’s reasonable!

Second, if you have hidden, complex documentation of the many rules and regulations surrounding your “deal,” then put an asterisk on the sign and say “see server for details.”

If his gripe was that there was only one adult at the table, and that children actually consumed a portion of the food I ordered from the adult menu, then that is discrimination against single parents. If I don’t qualify for the promotion without bringing another adult with me or force feeding myself two quadruple Steakburger platters, I can’t see it any other way.

So, insert that Debbie Downer sad trombone sound here. I am thoroughly disappointed in my experience at Steak ‘n Shake today. I hope this was just a case of a crabby employee and not a corporate philosophy.

Luckily, as we drove away, I noticed a new Sonic. We’ll be going there next time.

| | | | | |