Roger Ebert gives some love to Steak n Shake

A wonderful tribute in today's blog entry. Car, Table, Counter, or Takhomasak

My Steak 'n Shake fetish is not unique. On an early visit to the Letterman Show, during a commercial break, I said to David:

"I hear you're from Indianapolis, home of the head office of Steak 'n Shake."

"In Sight, It Must be Right," he said. Our eyes locked in unspoken communion.

"Four Ways to Enjoy," I said.

"Car, table, counter, or TakHomaSak," he replied.

"Specializing in Selected Foods..."

"...with a Desire to Please the Most Discriminating."

"Thanks for Your Liberal Patronage..."

David didn't blink an eye or miss a beat. We had both obviously memorized the original menu. "...signed, A. H. (Gus) Belt, founder," he said, and we shared a nod of great satisfaction.

Roger Ebert is treated as a god in Champaign-Urbana. He has his film festival there each April, and always makes a point of going to Steak N Shake at least once and takes the notables that attend the festival with him. One year he was there eating when the cast of the Champaign or Urbana high school musical was there after the show. He asked them to do a number, and they did. Those kids must have been so excited. Not to mention the other patrons!

He's been very loyal to his home town and alma mater.