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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-04-005655.txt : 20041006
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-04-005655.hdr.sgml : 20041006
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041006193327
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-04-005655
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041004
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041006
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041006

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STREICHER GREG
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001261525

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12373
		FILM NUMBER:		041069211

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		18 SOUTH PENNSYLVANIA ST STE 500
		CITY:			INDIANAPOLIS
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			48204

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STEAK & SHAKE CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000093859
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-EATING PLACES [5812]
		IRS NUMBER:				370684070
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0929

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		36 S PENNSYLVANIA ST
		STREET 2:		CENTURY BLDG - 500
		CITY:			INDIANAPOLIS
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46236
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3176334100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		36 S PENNSYLVANIA ST
		STREET 2:		CENTURY BLDG - 500
		CITY:			INDIANAPOLIS
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46204

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CONSOLIDATED PRODUCTS INC /IN/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	STEAK N SHAKE INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19840529
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-10-04</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000093859</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>STEAK &amp; SHAKE CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SNS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001261525</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STREICHER GREG</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>36 S. PENNSYLVANIA</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 500</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>INDIANAPOLIS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>46204</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Acting Controller</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-10-04</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3514</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>17.14</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-08-04</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-08-04</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This figure reflects 1,000 shares of restricted stock granted pursuant to the Company's Capital Appreciation Plan, an employee benefit plan approved by the Company's shareholders pursuant to Rule 16(b)(3).  There was no price paid for these shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These options vest over a five year period, with 20% vesting on the date of grant and the remainder vesting at a rate of 20% each anniversary thereafter.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>David C. Milne, Attorney in Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-10-06</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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