Major Burger Chain Is ‘Killing Off’ Its Microwaves, Says Americans Deserve ‘Real Food’

Steak ‘n Shake has officially announced it will remove all microwaves from its kitchens by April 15. The Indianapolis-based chain, known for its steakburgers and milkshakes, says the move is about serving real food cooked the right way. With nearly 390 U.S. locations affected, this is one of the boldest kitchen overhauls in recent fast-food memory.

The Chain Made Its Stance Clear in Just Three Words

On February 12, Steak ‘n Shake posted a blunt message across its social media pages: “Eat Real Food.” The full statement explained that the microwave removal is part of an ongoing effort to improve food quality and return to traditional cooking methods. The deadline is firm. Every location must be microwave-free by April 15.

Why a Restaurant Would Willingly Give Up the Microwave

Microwaves have long been a behind-the-scenes staple in restaurant kitchens — fast, convenient, and nearly invisible to diners. But Steak ‘n Shake argues that convenience has come at a cost. “Quality restaurants don’t need microwaves,” the chain wrote. For a brand trying to reposition itself around freshness, the appliance had become a symbol of everything it wanted to leave behind.

A Professional Chef Had Some Questions About All of This

Not everyone in the culinary world sees the move as purely principled. California chef and restaurateur Andrew Gruel told Fox News Digital he was puzzled by the announcement. “If they are for a one-off scenario, then I get it, but were they cooking their food in a microwave?” Gruel said. He also pointed out that microwaves have legitimate uses in professional kitchens, like melting chocolate and juicing limes.

This Isn’t the First Time the Chain Has Made Headlines for What’s in Its Kitchen

The microwave ban follows a string of ingredient overhauls. In early 2025, Steak ‘n Shake switched from seed oils to 100% beef tallow for frying, a move linked directly to the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement championed by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He publicly praised the chain for its “leadership in the crusade” toward healthier eating.

Not Every Expert Is Celebrating the Beef Tallow Swap

While Kennedy is a strong advocate, some nutrition experts aren’t convinced. Registered dietitian Kristina Cooke said she “would not recommend swapping seed oils for beef tallow.” Though small amounts of saturated fat aren’t harmful, Cooke noted that beef tallow can raise cholesterol and contribute to cardiovascular conditions, adding that it is “something most people are consuming too much of… not too little of.”

Cane Sugar Sodas and A2 Milk Are Also Part of the Plan

Steak ‘n Shake’s kitchen changes don’t stop at cooking methods. In August 2025, the chain began offering Coca-Cola in glass bottles with cane sugar, declaring “America deserves the best!” It also switched to a2 milk, a variety marketed as easier to digest,  ahead of a broader federal push for whole milk access. Trump signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act into law in January.

So Are Microwaves Actually Bad for You? Science Has a Complicated Answer

A 2022 systematic review published in the National Library of Medicine found that microwave radiation may affect neurotransmitters and slow the brain’s signaling process. However, the same researchers noted that microwaves are “extremely useful in the medical field” and that overall, they show “positive, neutral and negative effects” on biological systems. The science, in short, is far from settled.

The Real Appetite Behind This Trend Is About More Than Microwaves

Steak ‘n Shake’s moves reflect a wider cultural shift. More Americans are reading ingredient labels, questioning ultra-processed foods, and demanding transparency from the brands they trust. The chain is betting that cleaner recipes, traditional cooking, and farm-sourced ingredients will win over a generation of more health-conscious diners. And so far, the conversation alone has done plenty of marketing.

One Chain’s Kitchen Cleanse Could Signal a Turning Point for Fast Food

Whether or not beef tallow is healthier than seed oil, or microwaves are truly harmful, Steak ‘n Shake has tapped into something real: a growing public distrust of processed, convenience-driven food. By making its kitchen philosophy public and permanent, the chain is doing something rare in fast food: taking a stand. The question now is whether rivals will follow, or whether diners will ultimately vote with their wallets.