Mike Tyson MAHA Super Bowl commercial spotlights RFK Jr.
Mike Tyson’s Super Bowl commercial spotlighted RFK Jr.’s MAHA project.
Steak ‘n Shake plans to remove all microwaves from its stores by April in order to improve the quality of its food and use more traditional preparation methods.
The Indianapolis-based chain announced the impending changes in a statement shared on Feb. 12 on its social media pages, including Instagram and X.
“Quality restaurants don’t need microwaves,” the chain writes. “Improving the quality of our food and using only traditional cooking methods is part of our journey. Eat real food.”
The chain said in a post that all Steak & Shake locations will be banned from using microwaves by April 15.
The elimination of microwave ovens is the latest adjustment to hit the fast-food chain known for its milkshakes and steakburgers. Steak ‘n Shake has implemented several changes in recent years to make its menu healthier, including switching to beef fat-fried dishes in early 2025.
USA TODAY reached out to Steak ‘n Shake for more information about the microwave removal, but did not receive a response.
What other recent changes has Steak ‘n Shake made?
Steak ‘n Shake announced the switch from seed oil to beef tallow in March 2025, saying in a social media post, “Steak ‘n Shake is proud to support MAHA and Secretary Kennedy! Your life is limited by seed oil. We want to be at the forefront and make a difference! #MAHA.” Kennedy Jr. thanked the restaurant for its “leadership in the movement to make America healthy again.”
Rendered tallow is a favorite of Secretary of Humanity and Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has publicly urged restaurants to use it instead of seed oil, which he calls “one of the most unhealthy ingredients in food.”
President Kennedy is a tallow supporter, but some experts are not, including Christina Cook, a certified dietitian and registered dietitian at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
According to Cook, “We do not recommend replacing seed oil with beef tallow.” She explains that while consuming small amounts of saturated fat is not harmful, it is known to raise cholesterol levels and cause metabolic syndrome and some cardiovascular diseases. “Most people are taking too much, not too little,” she added.
Aligning with Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative, Steak ‘n Shake also began serving sugary Coca-Cola sodas in glass bottles to customers in August 2025. The Instagram post announcing the glass bottle reads: “We continue our MAHA journey.”
Contributors: Gabe Hauari, Mary Walrus-Holdridge, Darryl Austin/USA TODAY
Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kperez@usatodayco.com or X @katecperez_.
