The Butter Steakburger is one of the signature burgers served at Steak ‘n Shake restaurants. It consists of a steakburger patty topped with butter that is melted onto the burger as it cooks on the grill. The combination of rich, fatty butter and a juicy burger patty creates an indulgent, decadent flavor experience.
History of the Butter Steakburger
The Butter Steakburger was first introduced by Steak ‘n Shake in the 1930s after the restaurant was founded in Normal, Illinois in 1934. Founder Gus Belt was inspired by the classic Midwestern tradition of topping burgers with a pat of butter right after they finished cooking. This simple addition creates a burger that is crispy, meaty, and rich all at once. The Butter Steakburger became an iconic menu item and was part of Steak ‘n Shake’s brand identity as a classic American drive-in burger joint.
Ingredients in a Butter Steakburger
The ingredients for a Butter Steakburger are simple, which showcases the high-quality beef and melted butter:
- Steakburger patty – Steak ‘n Shake grinds their own blend of sirloin, t-bone, and brisket cuts to create their signature steakburger patties
- Sliced butter – A pat of real butter is placed on top of the patty as it cooks
- Bun – Typically a classic bun, but customers can also substitute for a brioche bun
- Pickle chips – Thin-sliced pickles add a tart, crunchy contrast to the rich burger
- Yellow mustard – Adds a tangy kick
- Ketchup – Often served on the side for guests to add themselves
- Chopped raw onion (optional) – Provides a sharp, pungent crunch
The focus is really on the flavor combination of charbroiled beef and melted butter. The other toppings enhance the core experience but are applied sparingly.
Cooking Process
The cooking process is what makes the Butter Steakburger stand out from a typical burger. Each patty is grilled to order on a flattop griddle and topped with a slice of butter during the cooking process. The butter melts across the patty, seeping into the meat and creating a rich, buttery crust. The patty is cooked through but still juicy in the center.
Steps to Cook a Butter Steakburger
- Place raw steakburger patty on hot flattop griddle
- After patty has started to cook, place a 0.5 oz slice of butter on top of the patty
- Let butter melt across the patty until it forms a golden crust
- After patty is cooked through, remove from grill and place on bottom bun
- Top with pickles, mustard, onion, ketchup, and top bun
- Serve immediately while hot and juicy
The butter not only adds rich flavor, but it also helps the patty develop a lovely sear with crispy edges and helps it cook evenly. The melted butter soaks into the patty rather than falling off the sides.
Unique Grilling Equipment at Steak ‘n Shake
To achieve the signature Butter Steakburger, Steak ‘n Shake uses custom grill equipment in their kitchens. The flattop griddles are manufactured by Keating of Chicago especially for Steak ‘n Shake. They have wider temperature zones, allowing cooks to adjust the temperature as needed for different parts of the cooking process. The grills all slope gently toward the front, so the butter and drippings from the cooking patties collect in a trough rather than falling onto the floor. This patented grill design is key to Steak ‘n Shake’s burger cooking technique.
Keating of Chicago Flattop Facts
- 36″ and 48″ widths available
- Enameled mild steel surface
- 17,000 – 35,000 BTU burners
- Programmable thermostats
- Front grease trough
- Designed for high-volume restaurants like Steak ‘n Shake
The custom grills enable fast cooking, butter searing, and high output of Steakburgers. The equipment ensures consistency across locations so customers know what to expect with their Butter Steakburger.
Serving Options
While the original Butter Steakburger is a single patty on a classic bun, customers can customize their burger in a variety of ways:
Bread Choices
- Classic bun
- Brioche bun
- Sourdough bread
- Wheat bun
- Gluten-free bun
Patty Options
- Single patty
- Double patty
- Triple patty
- Quad patty
- Patty size – Regular or jumbo
Cheese Choices
- American cheese
- Swiss cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Pepper jack cheese
- Blue cheese
Topping Options
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Raw onion
- Grilled onion
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Fried egg
- Applewood smoked bacon
- Guacamole
- Jalapeños
There are endless ways to customize a Butter Steakburger to your preferences. The patty count, cheese, and toppings can be adjusted to make it a more substantial meal.
Nutritional Information
Here are the basic nutrition facts for a standard Butter Steakburger from Steak ‘n Shake:
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| 680 | 41g | 36g | 39g |
As a greasy, buttery beef burger, the Butter Steakburger is quite high in calories, fat, and protein. The fat content comes mostly from the butter-seared patty. The burger provides a good amount of protein from the beef. Adding cheese, bacon, or extra patties will increase the calories, fat, and protein amounts.
Price
As part of Steak ‘n Shake’s value-oriented menu, the Butter Steakburger is quite affordable:
- Single Butter Steakburger – $3.49
- Double Butter Steakburger – $5.29
- Triple Butter Steakburger – $6.99
The burger can be paired with fries and a milkshake for an old-fashioned drive-in meal. Combo meals with fries and a drink start at $6.49. Value pricing makes this indulgent burger accessible as a regular treat rather than just a splurge.
Taste and Reviews
The Butter Steakburger has developed a cult following of fans over the years who rave about its taste:
Butter Steakburger Flavor Description
- Meaty – The flavor of the beef patty shines through
- Crispy – The melted butter creates a crunchy, sear on the patty
- Juicy – Patty remains moist even when welldone
- Rich – Butter adds a decadent, fatty mouthfeel
- Savory – Notes of saltiness and umami from the griddle sear
- Satisfying – The indulgent flavors make for a crave-worthy, filling burger
The combination of tastes and textures is what makes the burger so memorable. The Butter Steakburger has a devoted fanbase who say it’s their favorite burger.
Reviews
“The melted butter soaks right into the patty and forms an incredible crust. Every bite includes that sweet, beefy flavor mingled with melted butter. It’s absolute perfection and always totally hits the spot!”
“Nothing beats the sear you get from butter on a flattop grill. That’s flavor you just can’t replicate at home in a pan or on the backyard grill. The Butter Steakburgers I get from Steak ‘n Shake are the juiciest, crunchiest burgers around.”
“I’ve never found another burger quite like the one at Steak ‘n Shake with the melted butter on top. The atmosphere takes me back to my youth and the burgers are just as good as I remember.”
These rave reviews highlight the burger’s stand-out flavors and textures that diners can’t get enough of. The Butter Steakburger often tops “best burger” lists.
Where to Find Butter Steakburgers
Steak ‘n Shake locations are concentrated in the Midwest, South, and East Coast regions of the United States. Here is a map of their locations across the country:
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To enjoy an original Butter Steakburger, visit your nearest Steak ‘n Shake drive-in restaurant. Locations can be found via the store locator on their website. There are over 500 locations across 36 states.
How to Make at Home
While the Butter Steakburger is best enjoyed in a Steak ‘n Shake restaurant, you may want to try recreating it at home. Here is a homemade recipe:
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 1 tbsp butter, sliced
- 4 burger buns
- 4 slices cheese
- Lettuce, pickles, onion etc.
Instructions
- Form ground beef into four 1/4 lb patties, handling gently
- Heat a cast iron griddle or skillet over medium-high heat
- Cook patties for 2-3 minutes per side until browned
- Top each patty with 1/4 slice of butter and let melt, about 1 minute
- Add cheese slice on top of butter to melt
- Toast buns and build burgers to preference
Be sure to use high-quality beef and real butter. Cooking the patties over higher heat helps get that crispy sear. While not exactly the same, this recipe allows you to recreate the flavors at home.
Menu Hacks
Steak ‘n Shake fans have come up with tricks to adjust the Butter Steakburger to their preferences:
- Extra Butter – Request extra butter slices melted on top for even more richness
- Well-Done – Order the patty well-done to get maximum crispy, buttery sear
- Mustard Butter – Add a dollop of mustard to the melted butter to make a sauce
- Fry Sauce – Mix some of the ketchup and mustard to dip the burger in
Don’t be shy about customizing the Butter Steakburger when you order! The servers are used to accommodating requests.
Copycat Recipes
Several copycat Butter Steakburger recipes have been shared online by die-hard fans wanting to recreate the experience:
Ingredients
- 80/20 ground chuck patties
- Melted butter
- Yellow mustard
- Dill pickle chips
- White onion, chopped
- Potato egg buns
Directions
- Melt 1 tbsp butter per patty on griddle and cook patties in it
- Top with more butter after flipping patties
- Add mustard, pickles, and onion to bun
- Place patty on bun and top with more mustard
The extra butter both in the pan and on top of the patty helps replicate the Steak ‘n Shake flavor. Using potato egg buns rather than regular buns also mimics the originals.
Why People Love It
The Butter Steakburger has maintained popularity for over 80 years, which is rare in the fast food world. Here’s why people keep coming back for more:
- Nostalgia – Reminds people of childhood visits and simpler times
- Craveable Flavor – The butter and beef combo is irresistible
- Consistent Quality – Provides the same delicious experience time after time
- Customization – Endless options to make it your perfect burger
- Value – Affordable indulgence compared to gourmet burgers
For longtime fans, the Butter Steakburger is a cherished comfort food. The flavors bring back fond memories of growing up going to Steak ‘n Shake. It’s a classic recipe done exceptionally well that diners just can’t replicate at home.
Conclusion
The Steak ‘n Shake Butter Steakburger is an iconic menu item with a devoted fanbase who have loved this burger for generations. It stands out for its crispy, buttery patty hot off the grill, juicy beef flavor, and fully customizable options. Dining in the nostalgic drive-in restaurants enhances the enjoyment of this classic burger. While it’s difficult to truly replicate at home, the Butter Steakburger is a cherished treat that keeps people coming back to Steak ‘n Shake time and time again. Its memorable flavors and textures make it a menu staple worth experiencing.