Tuesday, September 25, 2018

[CLOSURE ALERT] Steak 'n Shake Shutters in Sandy Springs

Steak 'n Shake has closed its restaurant at 6575 Roswell Road in Sandy Springs.  The freestanding restaurant had been in business over twenty-five years reportedly having opened in the early 1990s.  The 24-hour restaurant was located just south of Abernathy Road alongside a Zaxby's  that opened in 2015, and adjacent to an upcoming Lennar townhome development. Steak 'n Shake was first established in Normal, IL in 1934 is known for their burgers and milkshakes.


In metro Atlanta, Steak 'n Shake and other quick-serve burger operators have seen increased competition from newcomers such as Freddy's, Culver's and Cook Out.  In Sandy Springs, however, none of the aforementioned new burger options have opened anywhere near the Steak n' Shake and furthermore, a nearby Wendy's closed in 2017.  The Wendy's was replaced not by a new competing food offering, but by a relocated SunTrust bank branch.   

Sandy Springs did recently gain another Waffle House, but its options for late night/24-hour dining are still quite limited.


Sources close to the Indianapolis, Indiana-based restaurant tell ToNeTo Atlanta that it closed due to a "lease issue," and that it did not own its property.  Fulton County tax records indicate that the 3,710 square foot restaurant was built in 1975 and sits on eight tenths of an acre.  Additionally, Fulton County records indicate that the property is currently owned by Richard & Joann Raymer of Rowlett, Texas and that the property (land + building) is valued at just over $1.2 million.  

Given the rising land values in the area and the size of the parcel, it's entirely possible the property will be redeveloped for another use, rather than a new restaurant. 

The new Lennar community under construction beside the former restaurant, for instance, was a previously abandoned Arby's.  

For it's part, Steak 'n Shake reportedly plans to reopen in "in the area in the future."  

In the meantime, for those looking to feed their Steak 'n  Shake craving, the chain continues to operate locations on North Druid Hills and LaVista Roads at Toco Hills, Cobb Parkway near SunTrust Park, Northside Parkway near OK Cafe, and on North Point Court near North Point Mall, among others.

Are you surprised by the closure of Steak 'n Shake in Sandy Springs?  What would you like to see open in place of Steak 'n Shake in Sandy Springs?  What is your favorite casual burger eatery in metro Atlanta?

Please share your thoughts below.  

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

I tried to go once last winter the drive thru was backed up almost to Roswell Rd. Not a single car moved in over 10 minutes and drove off. Classic example of customers just abandoning it due to poor management

Jay Malloy said...

1st paragraph says it was opened in 1990 and the bottom paragraph says 1975 which is obviously correct because we used to hang out there in the 70's in HS

Sheednomics said...

It is very shocking to see that this establishment closed. Hopefully a predecessor will be another famous restaurant chain and not a hole in the wall.

Anonymous said...

Wow. What a drag - a classic place. What's the bet - anpther apartment complex or bank? (sigh...)

Anonymous said...

The one at West Paces in Buckhead is similarly terrible. Used to love Steak and Shake but they're pretty close to other awful fast food in quality and service these days.

Scrappycrow said...

The Steak 'n Shake was in operation as early as the early 1980s, as I'd go there after going to Junior Achievement nearby in '82 & '83.

Anonymous said...

Steak 'n Shake used to be good AND the only "game in town". Now there many other players of the same quality these days.

Unknown said...

It was not a sit down restaurant then. They brought the food to your car, if I remember correctly. Went there in highschool as well

Anonymous said...

I would like to see Steak and Sheak reopen.
It’s a good comfortable environment.

Anonymous said...

Nasty, bad-attitude-havin employees does not bode well for restaurants......gotsta change da cultcha and give customers a positive experience. Same issues with the place a few doors down that closed...dantana.

Ragan DeFreese said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ragan DeFreese said...

It opened in the early 70’s. Sad to see it close.

Unknown said...

So if all these restaurants are gonna close for their "premium" real estate, where are we gonna eat?

Anonymous said...

This location sucked. I'm glad it shut down, maybe it'll teach the employees not to be slow, and give better customer service.

Anonymous said...

So if all these restaurants are gonna close for their "premium" real estate, where are we gonna eat?
September 27, 2018 at 7:21 AM
__________________________________

At home? Save your money and your health.

Anonymous said...

Anyone really expect a 5 star dining experience (food or service) at Steak and Shake? It was good for what it was - greasy burger and a good shake. I liked their skinny fries too.

Unknown said...

Well it was a good place when I lived there
Now its been taken over by the new food kids

Unknown said...

I use to work there, wanted to relocate back to that area but it's way too expensive, would love for it reopen but with new crew members and new managers and Sandy Springs need to lower the cost of living!

Anonymous said...

"Sandy Springs need to lower the cost of living!"

LOL

Anonymous said...


They had a great tasting melt, burger and the shakes were the best. Of course, you have to understand they aren't a "better burger", but I would take them over a gross cookout, culvers or bobbys cheeseburger. And when you go there, you know that you have to wait in the drive through because they cook to order on an flat top grill. Takes a little longer, but well worth it.

Steve Barton said...

The one time I visited there had been some kind of plumbing/sewer leak and two-thirds of the seating area had a wet floor. Clean-up efforts were desultory, as there was still enough dry seating for the few visitors on a weeknight. Food and service "meh".

Anonymous said...

Disgusting. Raise your standards!

Anonymous said...

Replacement on the property? Sandy Springs does not need another apt complex, or townhomes like on the old Arby's property - and not another chain restaurant - up and down Roswell Rd nothing but chain restaurants - one exception is Roaster's - but will miss Steak N Shake liked it better than the other 'burger' places

CG/NJ

Unknown said...

Anyone notice the homeless camp out back? How's that property value now?

Unknown said...

I went there from time to time inside and had good experiences.I'm sorry to see them closed but hope they return in the area so I. . Ive lived in Sandy Springs for 18 years.
In high school, around 1973/74, I applied at Steak N Shake at Atlantas first location on Buford Hwy. Just north of North Druid Hills on the east side of the street near the Hess gas station..
I applied to be a runner to run food out to the cars and really wanted the job since I was looking to buy a dark green used 72 Monte Carlo..
They said I had to cut my long hair if I wanted the job... Didn't cut my Hair, didn't get the job or the Monte Carlo but have been a customer ever since

Unknown said...

And the service inside was even worse!! U could wait for an hour to be served....... hopefully they will reopen in the area with better management and staff.

ed@aloha said...

My wife and I have been going to this location 2-3 Saturdays each month for so long that we don't remember when we started so we've seen its ups and downs over the years. We were definitely shocked to return from vacation in early October and be greeted by the scene shown in the photo above.
Until recent years the staff (cooks and wait staff) had reasonable stability even knowing what we would order(including salad dressing and flavor of the milk shake). It seems that staff turnover and shortages really took hold when Sandy Springs started pushing for higher cost housing. Under such circumstances it would be hard for most of us to stay smiley and friendly.
Hope I'm wrong but I don't foresee Steak n' Shake being economically able to return to Sandy Springs. How about an A&W?

Dawgs said...

This place well before the 90s. More like the early 80s

Unknown said...

I called the Health Department because the floors were filthy, the kitchen floor was filthy and the woman's bathroom was filthy. That restaurant needed to be deap cleaned.

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