Southern Indiana Steak ‘n Shake Now Permanently Closed

Steak 'n Shake, located on Hart Street Road in Vincennes, Indiana, has unexpectedly shuttered after nearly 10 years in business.

READ MORE: Italian Restaurant Chain Goes Bankrupt, Closes Indiana Location

I earned my broadcasting degree from Vincennes University and lived in Vincennes from summer 2017 until fall 2019. After going to school in the morning and early afternoon, I would go to work at one of the city's major retailers from about 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. My buddies and I would often get a late dinner after our shift, and many of those meals were had at Steak 'n Shake, located off Hart Street Road. Those nights made for some great memories, which is why I'm sad to report the restaurant has now closed for good.

How Many Steak 'n Shake Locations are in the United States?

Steak 'n Shake has been around for roughly 85 years. The chain was founded by Gus Belt in February 1934, when the first restaurant opened its doors in Normal, Illinois. Known for their steakburgers, chili, shoestring fries, and classic shakes, the brand is a popular favorite throughout the Midwest. According to HasData, there are currently about 387 locations in 22 states, with Indianapolis, Indiana, housing the most in one city. The capital of the Hoosier State currently boasts 15 Steak 'n Shake locales.

Get our free mobile app

One of the things I liked about Steak 'n Shake before 2021 was the fact that it was a very afforable full-service restaurant. Before the pandemic, a host would take you to your seat and hand you a menu. A server would later take care of your drink and food order. It was great. However, in March of 2021, the parent company of Steak 'n Shake (Biglari Holdings) switched to a quick-serve format. Fox 59 previously reported the change was due to an increase in drive-through, delivery, and takeout traffic during the pandemic.

Why did Steak 'n Shake Close in Vincennes, Indiana?

As of Monday, August 12, Steak 'n Shake in Vincennes sat mostly empty with a note posted on the door that said "Steak 'n Shake is closed permanently." No prior warning had been given to the community, and the reason behind the closure remains unclear. The restaurant had 3.4 stars on Google but only had 1.8 stars on Yelp.

I vividly remember when Steak 'n Shake opened in Vincennes because it was crowded for weeks. The restaurant held its grand opening in November 2014 and closed just short of a decade in business. I've reached out to the Steak 'n Shake corporate office for more information about the shutdown.