White Castle / Krystal Burgers

Being way over here on the west coast, I've never had the pleasure of one these little burgers (other than the nasty frozen version). And so, I have developed a bit of a curiosity about them. First off, what is it that make these guy so darned good? And are these the only two chains that serve the micro burger?

I believe these are the only two large chains that serve the small, square burgers. Here in the South lots of mom-n-pop places serve them. My favorite being Miniburger in Cookeville, TN. There is a regional chain called Scottie's in East Tennessee that serves them. Not that this info is on any use on the west coast. But don't feel bad, we can't get In-N-Out here!

Well of the mini burger chains, these two dominate the best of the scene.... developed a tatse for these mini burger can be very addictive.... Our Closest Krytlal's is over 75 miles away. Our closeset White Castle is over 90... Many of times have we got in the car and headed to one of them for a burger craze.

We still buy em by the sack, sometime that i was introduced to when I was nine by my father, now that I am in my 50's I still indulge.

Sorry thier not available out there... The frozen ones are better than no burgers at all thou.

i'm also on the west coast, but i have an uncle who lives in illinois so occasionally i get out to the chicago area, where real white castles exist. i also can verify that the frozen burgers are not quite like the fresh ones.. you can get them closer if you don't try heating them in a microwave, steaming them over hot water using a bamboo steamer is the best method i've found. another problem with the frozen burgers is that, at least in seattle, all you can find are the cheeseburgers. the regular burgers are better imho, as i like the steamed pickle and onion combination that the cheeseburgers lack..

as far as authentic slyders go, it's the beef and onion flavor combination that makes them work so well, similar to the grilled onions served on burgers at state fairs on the west coast. and, the little paper boxes that the burgers are packed in do a good job at keeping them from being squashed :)

quote:

Originally posted by marzsit
Steaming them over hot water using a bamboo steamer is the best method i've found. another problem with the frozen burgers is that, at least in seattle, all you can find are the cheeseburgers. the regular burgers are better imho, as i like the steamed pickle and onion combination that the cheeseburgers lack..

Thanks! As a lifelong Southerner who lives in LA, where there are apparently three Krystals in the whole bleedin' state, and who has fond memories of better times, I really appreciate the prep hint.

You can also totally wet a paper towel, wrap around the frozen burger, and nuke for 30 seconds or so. However, noting beats a fresh Krystal, except maybe 5 more.

quote:

Originally posted by Rick F.

quote:

Originally posted by marzsit
Steaming them over hot water using a bamboo steamer is the best method i've found. another problem with the frozen burgers is that, at least in seattle, all you can find are the cheeseburgers. the regular burgers are better imho, as i like the steamed pickle and onion combination that the cheeseburgers lack..

Thanks! As a lifelong Southerner who lives in LA, where there are apparently three Krystals in the whole bleedin' state, and who has fond memories of better times, I really appreciate the prep hint.

i forgot to mention, defrost in the refrigerator first, then wrap in paper towel before steaming. you can steam them frozen, but sometimes they'll absorb too much moisture. also, you want a gentle simmer/boil, not a rolling boil.

Theres a couple of threads on this subject, some are rather long.
I basically grew up with White Castle in the S.Jersey/Phila area but here in NE.Fl. all thats available is Krystals. There are differences between the 2 but not enough to worry about (IMHO) I usually buy a sackfull, eat 5 or 6 then refrigerate the rest, a few hours later (they seldom last overnight) its into the nuker, still in the original bag for a minute or so.
Ive never had to nuke the frozen WC's, but I HAVE done McD's (buy the cheeseburgers in bulk on .59 cent day and freeze for quicky snacks)I put a wet papertowel under the plate and cover everything with a plastic bowl, nuke for 1.5 minutes and let sit under the bowl for another minute or so

Theres a couple of threads on this subject, some are rather long.
I basically grew up with White Castle in the S.Jersey/Phila area but here in NE.Fl. all thats available is Krystals. There are differences between the 2 but not enough to worry about (IMHO) I usually buy a sackfull, eat 5 or 6 then refrigerate the rest, a few hours later (they seldom last overnight) its into the nuker, still in the original bag for a minute or so.
Ive never had to nuke the frozen WC's, but I HAVE done McD's (buy the cheeseburgers in bulk on .59 cent day and freeze for quicky snacks)I put a wet papertowel under the plate and cover everything with a plastic bowl, nuke for 1.5 minutes and let sit under the bowl for another minute or so

I've never had a Krystal Burger, but White Castle's have never impressed me. I first tried them a handfull of times when I lived in New Jersey and metro Detroit years ago. They came to my current metro area twice, but closed down after a few years each time.

The burgers seemed to take on the taste of the cardboard they are served in. And they deep fried everything in the same oil. Not only would the fries taste a bit like the onion rings, it was common to get one or two fries or rings in a serving of the other.

There is a little old place in Salina, Kansas called the Cozy Inn that has been operating for 83 years, cooking nothing but tiny burgers with onions, using the same grill all these years. I think their product is much better. I try to get by there and buy a sack of burgers at least once a year.

It changed hands a few years ago and they increased the size of the burgers slightly. They are now 16 to the pound instead of 25.

http://www.kansastravel.org/02ks10.JPG

Keith

Thanks for the info, ALL of which has been enlightening. The only thing I'm left wondering is "why not out here?". The only attempt I'm aware of was made in the late eighties. Someone bought an old (boarded up) McDonalds and began the remodeling process to turn it into a "Light Castle". But of course the trademark infringement law-suit kept the place from ever opening.

Fun fact: This location was about four blocks down the street from the original McDonald's in San Bernardino.

I am in Dayton,Ohio and live 2 blocks from a White Castle! When they are fresh off the grill and it's 2am...they are pretty damn yummy lolzzzz Back a million years ago, I used to work at one and prolly made 50,000 in my career (hahahaha) They were 19 cents a piece then and ppls bought them by the bagfuls. I couldn't eat them for years and even the slight smell of dried onions made me feel ill. It's only the past year I tried them after 20yrs.