Krystal Burgers

After all of these years, Krystal Burgers are hard to beat! They just melt in your mouth! I've been eating them since I was a teenager.

I haven't had a Krystal in years. I liked them, but they certainly made my wife ill. I prefer White Castle's belly-bombs, myself.

We had a Crystal in Columbia SC, but it was only open for a few months. Not sure why it did not last. I see that Hardees in our area is trying to sell mini-burgers ! Have not had one yet as I am not too prone to eating at Hardees !

Hardee's - yuck!

I tried those mini hamburgers at Hardee's last Wednesday and they are awful!!!! I only got one and was really surprised at the size of it.

Don't eat them!!!!

Sorry, but I disagree. I think the new Slammers at Hardees are very good. They are cooked to order (at least they do that in Roanoke, Va.). I find they remind me of the burgers at Burger Chef that I spent my teen years enjoying. To each his own.
Frank

I agree Hardee's around here [knoxville,tn] are below BAD !

The only thing Hardees sells that is edible is their bisquits. I bought their new thickburger the other day. It appeared to me to have been precooked. The burger was grey and tasted like sawdust. I also bought their little burgers and they were worse. I bought my burgers at the Hardees on Alcoa highway in Knoxville, TN

Is the Krystal burger the same as a White Castle burger

Close but not exactly the same. Krystals don't have the holes in the meat.

Fred,
Do they fry them in the grease and dehydrated onion flakes like W C ?

quote:

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Originally posted by Al-The Mayor-Bowen

Fred,
Do they fry them in the grease and dehydrated onion flakes like W C ?

---

Whoa Al...Hold up there son. White Castle's are "steamed" over a bed of onions. Never fried. That's the trick to the unique taste.

Would someone let me know if Krystal is ever going to move into Arkansas? Is any expansion of the chain going on? Many towns in Ark like Little Rock, Hot Springs, and Fayetteville are decently sized areas

White Castle- cooked onions and floppy bun. Steamed with five holes. Meat weighed after pierced.
Krystals-raw onions and puffy bun. They sell them with mustard unless requested to hold the mustard.

Ah. Krystal or White Castle. It does not matter. In the land of FF, at least they both have maintained an air of honesty and sincerity about their products. Simplicity has its rewards.

quote:

Originally posted by LWAwhoevr

Would someone let me know if Krystal is ever going to move into Arkansas? Is any expansion of the chain going on? Many towns in Ark like Little Rock, Hot Springs, and Fayetteville are decently sized areas

Looks like West Memphis AR is the only one. Look here for their map: http://www.krystalco.com/map/Default.aspx

Returning home to the South, tried a Krystal burger after many years absence. Not bad. Same taste and texture remembered as a kid. Certainly beat the heck out of White Castles.

In another forum, we have been remembering other Krystal restaurant attributes from the past -- ceramic dishes, doughnuts, waffles, egg sandwiches, etc. Krystal was a real treat for kids growing up in the 50's. In college we went to Krystal for "detox" as it was the only 24-hour restaurant then.

Many nights in "de-tox" at Krystal consisted of 2 doublecheese Krystals, large fries, large coke, and 2 Krystal Chiks for some healthy perspective to the evening's adventures.

Looks like we are getting a Krystal Burger here in Burlington, NC. They have put up the signage after weeks of keeping us all guessing as to what was going on. The location is very easy to get to off I-85/40. The exit is the one for the Cracker Barrel - sorry, I can't ever remember the exit number. It is now the major exit for Burlington/Elon and the road is Huffman Mill Road. Take a right off the ramp coming from the north/east or a left coming from the south/west. Continue on Huffman Mill Rd. up past all the many fast food chains: Chick-fil-a, Arby's, Bojangles, McD's, KFC, Cookout, Burger King, Taco Bell, Subway, etc. The Krystal is on a corner across from the mall, on your right as you are coming from the interstate.

As a young boy in the summer of 1962 I visited an older brother and sister-in-law in Atlanta for a few weeks and discoverd the Krystal in downtown Atlanta near the Atlanta Journal-Constitution building. I thought their little burgers were great; they were certainly a novelty. My brother agreed to breakfast at their suburban location a few times, so I could again have the hamburgers.

In the summer of 63, I was introduced to White Castle, while visiting another older brother in Indianapolis. I liked them immensely.

Unfortunately, I cannot eat WC burgers anymore. Though I'd like to enjoy them about once a year, I always get ill. I cannot help but think they're sometimes undercooked (make that under-steamed). To be fair, maybe the problem is with me, or the particular WC near my home.

I haven't had a Krystal burger since that summer of '62. For some reason, I'm never willing to stop at their quick service drive-thrus. Maybe I should give them a try. Maybe they won't make me ill.

A brief historical note from Krystal's corporate Web site:

"Founded in 1932, The Krystal Company is the oldest quick service restaurant chain in the Southeast and the second oldest chain in the United States. Enjoyed by three generations of Americans, Krystal is a cultural icon......

The first Krystal restaurant opened in 1932 on the corner of Seventh and Cherry Streets in downtown Chattanooga, Tenn., amid harsh financial times of the Great Depression."

I've got a friend who's a strict vegetarian yet tolerates her husband eating Krystal burgers. Case of true love there, yep.

Thanks for clarifying the difference between Krystal and White Castle. We have Krystal here in Memphis but for some reason they have WC in Nashville. Anybody know which came first?

A friend of mine, sober many years now, talks about waking up after a night of drinking and knowing that he must have hit the Krystal before he went home because he'd see mustard under his nails.

We have been surprised by the number of Krystal's that have closed and are HAPPY to find one when traveling. Our dogs used to love 'em too!

I live in Wisconsin and never heard of a Krystal intil I went to Kimball Tennessee to visit friends. It was good. The buffalo wings were really good.

hey janine...Kystal was always in Nashville...and White Castle, though an older chain, is a newcomer.
They both taste pretty much the same to me...we don't have any in my neck of the woods. I crave them, especially on the rare occasion I drink.

Love em', crave em'! Wow fdm813, "Burger Chef"? Now that's going back! We had one here, but for the life of me I can't remember where in town it was situated. Speaking of burgers, we were discussing In N Out awhile back, and someone made a mention about ours being bogus, which very well may be true. We have NONE of the burgers on our menu that any of you mentioned. I was out by our only one left Saturday and the sign is a red chef hat with a face of only a mustache and two eyes, one of which is winking. Maybe a kerchief....is this possibly the same??

Just for a little White Castle History ... from their web site ...

"1921 ... Hmm… What can $700 get you? Well in 1921 with $700 of borrowed money, the first White Castle opens in Wichita, Kansas, offering hamburgers at the unbelievable price of $.05 a piece.

More than 80 years.
More than 380 restaurants.
More than 500,000,000 burgers sold last year alone.

But when you add it up, the by-the-numbers White Castle math just can't compare to the steam-grilled science of creating that signature Slyder.® Or the consistent history of high quality and great taste that turned fast food into big business and jumpstarted the nation's first hamburger century. (Well, almost a century: meat rationing during World War II forced us to sell hot dogs and eggs.) Or, most of all, the shared secret language of committed Cravers across the country, the words and senses that turn all of you into One of Ours.

Still, math is pretty fundamental. Mostly because, in White Castle mathematics (crunched at our Columbus, Ohio, headquarters), the number one keeps popping up.

First fast-food hamburger chain ever. First industrial-strength spatula. First mass-produced paper hat. First to sell a million hamburgers. First to sell a billion hamburgers. First frozen fast food for sale.

All of which, of course, makes us your number one. Hold your applause for your next burgers."



I just love White Castles. We call them belly-bombers in the St. Louis Metro area.

There is a HOT rumor flying around our town that White Castle might be locating here...perhaps one of those franchised WC/Church's Chicken stores..mmm...Church's is a HUNDRED times better than KFC..

Speaking of Krystal...
Anyone remember the Steve Martin movie where they had "pizza in a cup"? Well, now Krystal has a similar breakfast menu item. Have tried once in my area. While same illustrates a product designed for "fast food" breakfast items, I think this product fills a niche that other FF entities have ignored. At least in MY location that I patronized, this product was rather tasty... See link below.

http://www.krystalco.com/food/scrambler.asp

quote:

Originally posted by ConeyIslandLou

There is a HOT rumor flying around our town that White Castle might be locating here...perhaps one of those franchised WC/Church's Chicken stores..mmm...Church's is a HUNDRED times better than KFC..

However, Popeyes's is about 100% better than Church's...

quote:

Originally posted by Vince Macek

I've got a friend who's a strict vegetarian yet tolerates her husband eating Krystal burgers. Case of true love there, yep.

Actually, Vince, I think that may be clear proof that there is no meat in a Krystal burger!

quote:

Originally posted by Adjudicator

However, Popeyes's is about 100% better than Church's...

I wish the biscuits were thicker.

Dunno if the Popeye's biscuits are the same everywhere, but the ones in Cincinnati are very flat and practically soaked in butter/butter flavoring. I hope they aren't all like that...

quote:

Originally posted by geostorm

After all of these years, Krystal Burgers are hard to beat! They just melt in your mouth! I've been eating them since I was a teenager.

IMO, Krystal's CAN'T be beat.
Double-cheese ones are my current fave; the grease practically melt the middle of the 3 slices of bread.

So what if the patties are so thin they could have been made with a cheese plane? So what if the company is only on their 300th cow after all these years? The mustardy, oniony, soft bun, crumbly meat taste are quintessential. Here in Atlanta, I can eat them every day.

And I practivally do.

And I have not (yet) have had to have gastric bypass or heart bypass surgery! It's been a great 42 years....

BTW, the fozen product available in grocery stores has been stripped of much of the panache of the freshly-prepared burgers... but even a frozen Krystal beats a fresh White Castle!

JC

Krystal burgers are better than exlax if ya got problems,,,

Im going to stop there on my way to Greensboro...cant wait this might make that boring i85 worth while!

Krystal........White Castle.........Neither one can hold a candle to the best mini-burger ever: Royal Castle! A pile of Royal Castle hamburgers and a birch beer served in a frosted mug.......it doesn't get any better than that. I sure do miss the Royal Castles!

Lee

I do not know if I can tell the difference between a White Castle and a Krystal. I know they both taste good about 2:00AM.

I guess technically they are a hamburger but to me they are more of a sandwich.

Certainly a unique taste and I like them both.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Royal Castles were started in Miami in the 20's or 30's and were all over Florida. Don't know about any of the other states. At last report, there were two of them remaining, both in Miami.

Lee

isnt it interesting how some places fall apart and others thrive and they basically do the same thing.....never had royal castles but they sound like krystal and white castles....anybody have a website for royal castles?

quote:

Originally posted by clothier

Love birch beer.

but where were Royal castles?

I first encountered Royal Castles in Miami in the early 1950s. Loved them. There were still Royal Castles in Ohio when we moved here in 1971, but they were gone before 1980. I believe the chain was headquartered in Cleveland.

quote:

Originally posted by clothier

ok, JC, Why? In your humble opinion, why are the better?

Krystals have the best grease, the better onions (fried not raw), the mustard-pickle double-salty whammy, and in no little regard, the distiction of being a SOUTHERN product.

Althought it is beyond me WHY the Cherry St. store in Chattanooga doesn't make a big to-do out of being the original site. A group of friends and I used to eat there every year while in Chattie for January's sci-fi Chattacon, and we were always a bit disappointed to walk in and have it feel like any other Krystal.

Hope this clarifies matters. :)

Oh and BTW, I heard a nasty rumor that the reason WCs have 5 holes in them is NOT to ensure quicker, even cooking, but that in the beginning, flecks of tainted meat were poked out of the burgers manually, and the burgers stayed like that "just because". Of course, you should never listen to rumormongering, but...you never know. ;)

JC

livin' large to the greasy end

Remember Krystal's horrid Early 80's Skip Stevenson commercials? I'm still singing that song!

went to the new Krystals in Burlington nc...it was a wonderful experience...brought back a lot of memories......

A very young Samuel L. Jackson was in one way back when also (..."It's the little cooked onions...")

OH NO! I like the Samuel Jackson beer commercials on *Chapelle's Show*.

Yup, I loved Real People and was so excited to see old Skip hawking Krystal burgers.

Luckily, my tastes have changed (in entertainment) and I still love my Krystals!

quote:

Originally posted by clothier

well, I have to take your opinion with a grain of salt. You get down-grading for admitting that you attend a Sci-Fi conference.

Did you walk into the Krystal burger with your wookie costume on, or with your Spock ears on?

Ah, mundane (a way harsh slam in skiffy geekdom), you are mistaken. I was a *fringefan*, for whom fandom was just a G*ddamned hobby, not a trufan, for whom fandom is a Way of Life (TM). Our sartorial selections were unobtrusive to the nth degree.

Besides, Spock ears are for *collecting* (MINT IN BOX NEVRR BEEN OPENED!), not for *wearing*, you silly person! And wookies are SO last year! Now where'd I put my Pokemon cards?....

Texas now has it's very first Krystal - it's in Beaumont. A friend of mine brought back 3 dozen for me a few weeks ago! Also, I always stopped at a Krystal on the way to Tennessee in Arkansas - it's on I-40 at the Forrest City exit. I grew up in East Tennessee where we had Krystal and Blue Circle. There is only one Blue Circle left, and it's in Bristol, I think. I was introduced to White Castles in Louisville, KY several years ago. They are all basically the same - they're all good!!!

Buckshot

Mr. Buckshot: I did not know a Blue Circle still remained. There was one close to my office at 520 Western Ave in Knoxville and I did lunch there most every day in the early 60's. I got their steakburger with fries. That was many years ago when my finances dictated a cheaper type of lunch.

We race in Bristol later on in the year. I will make a point to locate the Blue Circle and try to recreate an earlier experience. It probably ain't the same.

I am sure Fred Sauceman from Johnson City would have a comment on current quality.

AS far as Krystal goes, they have a unique sandwich which hardly qualifies as a hamburger, but still a tasty morsel. Some folks compare against White Castle. Quite frankly I like them both. They are slightly different but good in their own way.

When we do our racing with NHRA and we have had a hard day and finish it up with some friendly libation, it is always good to top the day with a good greasy some type of wannabee burger.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Here's some info, Paul. I got it from an article by Fred Sauceman titled "Blue Circle burger remains distinct".

The Blue Circle
333 Bluff City Hwy.
Bristol, TN
423-764-4732

I'm from Morristown - got several items from Blue Circles that I've collected over the years - coffee mug, drinking glass, matches, etc. They're hard to find! If you're interested, I'll help you find the article by Mr. Sauceman.

Buckshot

Buckshot: It seems like Mr. Sauceman posted something about the Blue Circle on the forum sometime ago. Either that or I read an article about it.

You really got my curiosity up. They have not been in Knoxville for at least 30 years. I recall having lunch there several times a week. They were located about three blocks from my office when I worked downtown Knoxville.

The day Kennedy was shot and killed, I had just left the Blue Circle and was walking back to the office. Some guy in a shop close to our office stuck his head out the door and told us the POTUS had just been shot.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Sundancer,
Go to MSN.com and do a search for Blue Circle hamburgers. Mr. Sauceman's article is, I think, the first that is listed in the search. If you don't find it, let me know. Bluff City Highway, isn't that in the same direction from Bristol going toward the race track? (That's Carvers Orchard in Cosby.) Lots of good white lightnin' has been made in the Cosby area of Cocke County over the years. Brought some Cocke County squeezin's to Texas with me - brought my '40 Ford coupe, too!

Buckshot

I had my first sack of Krystals in Mississippi a year ago. New England doesn't have anything like these guys. I was hoping that the midwest would. I can't find any slider/belly bomber type burger places anywhere near Omaha. Can anyone help?

quote:

Originally posted by Buckshot

Sundancer,
Go to MSN.com and do a search for Blue Circle hamburgers. Mr. Sauceman's article is, I think, the first that is listed in the search. If you don't find it, let me know. Bluff City Highway, isn't that in the same direction from Bristol going toward the race track? (That's Carvers Orchard in Cosby.) Lots of good white lightnin' has been made in the Cosby area of Cocke County over the years. Brought some Cocke County squeezin's to Texas with me - brought my '40 Ford coupe, too!

Buckshot

That is Carvers in Cosby. Great food and a super place to buy produce especially apples. I do not know how many acres they have planted with apple trees, but it is a lot. They go all the way to the base of the huge mountain behind them.

It is strange that you mention white lightning. The first I ever bought in my life was in Cosby, TN. hat was in 1960 but that is another story.

When we are in Bristol for NHRA, I will make a trek to the Blue Circle. I will also search out the story from Fred Sauceman.

Thanks
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Does ANYONE remember the Royal Castle chain from Florida & La.?
Man I couldn't get enough of them. 2 and a beer (birch)a real meal dealfor about 50 cents.
That is where my friend, Jim introduced me to the art of eating grits. For 35 cents you could get 2 eggs,bacon,and toast served on a real china plate oh yes grits were not an option.

Does anyone from East Tennessee remember "Scottie's Hamburgers"? I was talking to a friend last week from Athens, TN about Blue Circles and he reminded me of "Scottie's Hamburgers". They were just like Blue Circle and Krystal hamburgers. I remember them being in Morristown and Jefferson City.

Buckshot

Buckshot: There was a Scotties (SIC) on Clinton Highway. They have not been there for many years. I use to stop there on occasion and as I recall, they were decent.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

quote:

Originally posted by Buckshot

Does anyone from East Tennessee remember "Scottie's Hamburgers"? I was talking to a friend last week from Athens, TN about Blue Circles and he reminded me of "Scottie's Hamburgers". They were just like Blue Circle and Krystal hamburgers. I remember them being in Morristown and Jefferson City.

Buckshot

I remember a Scottie's in Denton, Texas (north of Dallas) in the early 70s. Only thing i remember is the burgers were little and around 14 cents each. thanks for the burger flashback.

There is one Scotties left at the Caryville exit off I75 South I think it's exit 133 or 136 (There's only one Caryville exit) The scotties is on the hill behind Shoney's. I think they're .60 now but they're exactly as they were in the 70's.

quote:

Originally posted by KeithDennis

There is one Scotties left at the Caryville exit off I75 South I think it's exit 133 or 136 (There's only one Caryville exit) The scotties is on the hill behind Shoney's. I think they're .60 now but they're exactly as they were in the 70's.

I was in Tennessee, a couple of weeks ago 5/2/2004, and the scotties is there, but their .55, not .60, and it's still open, tasting exactly as they did in the 70's

Speaking of Krystal burgers and White Castle..... I remember back in the 60's going to Miami for vacation. There was a burger place across the street from our motel on Collins Ave. called Royal Castle. We use to walk over for lunch and get a sack of sliders and spuds and bring'em back to the room and pig out. They were really good. Anyone ever eat at Royal Castle??