Steak ‘n Shake brings back drive-in service in a coronavirus world

Steak ‘n Shake is going retro with drive-in service as the coronavirus pandemic has many people avoiding dining rooms.

© TIM RIVERS / Sun Sentinel/Orlando Sentinel/TNS
Steak ‘n Shake is turning to the past with drive-in service where customers dine from a tray attached to their car window as the coronavirus pandemic has people avoiding dining rooms.

Customers will park in designated spots in the parking lot and can order their meals on the restaurant’s mobile app. Diners who don’t use the app can also call the restaurant from their vehicle to order.

A carhop will then bring customers their food to eat from a tray attached to their open car window, the company said in a news release.

“Today’s pandemic world has enabled us to revitalize the drive-in experience with renewed purpose,” senior vice president Steve May said in a news release. “Our modern version of the drive-in not only reinforces those early days with delivery right to your car – but it also fits perfectly into today’s reality, offering our guests a way to enjoy dining out of the house while still protecting their family’s health.”

Steak ‘n Shake faced challenges before coronavirus, with a couple of its Orlando-area stores shutting their doors as the company looked to transition a number of restaurants to franchise ownership, including the location at 2820 E. Colonial Drive in Orlando. That restaurant, along with one at 818 S. Orlando Ave. in Winter Park and a University of Central Florida location, are listed on the company’s website as “temporarily closed.”

Steak ‘n Shake isn’t the only business that has looked to the past to reinvent how it serves customers during the pandemic. Deltona-based Epic Theatres is showing drive-in movies at its theaters in Clermont, Mount Dora, Deltona and St. Augustine.

The drive-in service is expected to soon be added at these Central Florida Steak ‘n Shake locations:

7101 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando

2700 S. Semoran Blvd., Orlando

12035 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando

13133 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando

11700 University Blvd., Orlando

1680 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Apopka

443 N. Semoran Blvd., Winter Park

8115 Red Bug Lake Road, Oviedo

40 Town Center Circle, Sanford

4313 West Vine St., Kissimmee

2545 E. Highway 50, Clermont

927 Saxon Blvd., Orange City

1000 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach

120 Williamson Blvd., Ormond Beach

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