White Castle

White Castle restaurants is the oldest hamburger chain, founded in 1921. They put chopped onions on the grill and place square thin burgers on top and grill. They are called "Sliders".The thing that killed me and I have been a Chef for 30 years and have trained many cooks, is........They cook the burger from the bottom up and place the burger bun on top of the raw meat. I guess I can't really put them down for this they have been open for almost 90 years. The thing is I would never train any one to have the raw meat come in contact with the bun. ................Bill

The white castle patties are NOT raw when placed on the bun. They are so thin that they only need to cook on one side without flipping them in order for them to be cooked through!! If we are talking about a regular sized patty that one might make at home, then this theory would apply. Has ANYONE ever had a "raw" white castle hamburger???????

Nope...they are so thin they cook in seconds...but they're so bad, they're good!!!!!

Love those White Castle cheeseburgrs!  The patties also have 5 holes in them so the steam can cook through the burgers so they don't have to flip them.

Has anyone tried their new BBQ pulled pork sliders?  They are so bad, they're terrible!  And I do mean terrible...nasty stuff.

White Castle...the greatest thing invented after you have had to many drinks late at nite.

It burns my ass...literally.

MyTerry - There is a very famous place in Pittsburgh whose food also improves in direct porportion to the amount of alcohol one has had prior to eating there....

I love White Castle! 

Baah Ben


MyTerry - There is a very famous place in Pittsburgh whose food also improves in direct porportion to the amount of alcohol one has had prior to eating there....

I love White Castle! 

In my younger years I knew some women that would fit the description...Russ

nysharks


Has anyone tried their new BBQ pulled pork sliders?  They are so bad, they're terrible!  And I do mean terrible...nasty stuff.

I almost got one the other day, but I managed to stick with my craving for half a dozen Castles. Thanks for the heads up. I shall no longer wonder about the new things.

What about the little chicken sliders they have, are those good?

Foodosaurus aka braunsteinm


What about the little chicken sliders they have, are those good?

I've never tried one.

the classic is a "sack" of sliders. I started going in the mid '60s when I think they were 7 cents apiece.

Through high school we had contests, with predetermined ratios of fries and shakes per # of burgers.  Loser would pay.

White Castle was (at least in NY City area) here ahead of all the later fast food places. Also was the first and often only to be open 24 hours per day.

Very hard to get the smell of the onions out of the car, but very hard to pass without stopping.

I definitely remember White Castle hamburgers costing twelve cents each back in the mid-'60s. IMO, they don't taste quite as good nowadays as they did "back when", but I still get a craving for them occasionally. 

When I was a kid in the 50's  we never went out to eat, tight money, except when White
Castle ran a coupon special in the newspaper. IIRC you got 5 burgers for a quarter. Yep a nickle a piece, I think that might have been around half price. WC was strict about the coupons and the limit of 5  per person, I remember Dad asking friends to save the coupons if they weren't going to use them. He'd buy 5, Mom would buy 5, me, my brother. Good stuff, great memories. Too bad today's WC's don't taste nearly as good or compare in size to those burgers of the 50's And back then nobody called them sliders, the term hadn't been invented yet.

nocarolina & jimcor,
WC's haven't changed but your taste buds do change over time! If anything, the quality of the WC meat has improved to be compettive with those Johnny-come-lately's like McDonalds & BK  & Wendy's!!

nysharks


Love those White Castle cheeseburgrs!  The patties also have 5 holes in them so the steam can cook through the burgers so they don't have to flip them.

Has anyone tried their new BBQ pulled pork sliders?  They are so bad, they're terrible!  And I do mean terrible...nasty stuff.

 
Hey Shark----thanks for confirming my suspicions about WC  PP----and stay as far away as you can from BK sliders==atrocious at best===agree with all those other flower children from the 60's----back then with a bag on the best was WC by the bag ----sadly these days IMHO they go straight to the trash bag!
 
Russ

When we go back to visit my wife's people in Tennesee we always visit Krystal Burger a lot,hope they show up in Phoenix someday.I grew up with White Castle in the Twin Cities, but Krystal is better.My homemade recipe is some dang good eatin' too!

nysharks


Love those White Castle cheeseburgrs!  The patties also have 5 holes in them so the steam can cook through the burgers so they don't have to flip them.

Has anyone tried their new BBQ pulled pork sliders?  They are so bad, they're terrible!  And I do mean terrible...nasty stuff.

Indeed the BBQ pulled pork is dried out and so sweet it is awful.

bowtieman, I have to disagree with you. I grew up with White Castles, and I've eaten at Krystal a number of times in my southern travels. There's just no comparison; Krystal's burgers aren't nearly as flavorful as White Castle's. I don't think WC's little burgers taste quite as good as they did when I was a kid, but still.... 

NC - I'm with you.  But, if you live in parts that don't have White Castles, then it's the next best thing. 

nocarolina


bowtieman, I have to disagree with you. I grew up with White Castles, and I've eaten at Krystal a number of times in my southern travels. There's just no comparison; Krystal's burgers aren't nearly as flavorful as White Castle's. I don't think WC's little burgers taste quite as good as they did when I was a kid, but still.... 

Nothing will taste as good as when you were a kid! The older we get, the more our taste buds deminish. Plus the quality of the product deminishes under the increased costs of doing business. Krystals are just as good if not better, as WC's IM(not so humble)O! 

bowtieman


When we go back to visit my wife's people in Tennesee we always visit Krystal Burger a lot,hope they show up in Phoenix someday.I grew up with White Castle in the Twin Cities, but Krystal is better.My homemade recipe is some dang good eatin' too!

OK Smarty Pants! How 'bout posting the recipe and let us be the judge!!

Baah Ben


NC - I'm with you.  But, if you live in parts that don't have White Castles, then it's the next best thing. 

I agree with Baah Ben!  Krystal tastes pretty darn good when you can't get the real WC's.
 
QFan
Bonita Springs, FL

Food - Do you know a lot about Krystals?

Just wondering if they have their own commissaries for their rolls and send them to big firms like Sysco to distribute along with the burgers, etc.

Or do they have a baking spec and a confidential Agreement and farm it out to local commercial bakers to make them for them in different distribution points.  Not unlike some of the national ice cream brands, who contract with local dairies to make their products under some sort of confidential Agreement.

I do like that they bring the food to you.  But, the two that we have here are vastly different in quality of service and appearance.  Is it a franchise? 

Consistantly, for years, the one on International Speedway has been much cleaner and far, far more efficient.  The one near Mason Avenue is a nightmare!  So, I'm wondering if they are store owned or is it a franchise?

Thanks.

I'm not saying that Krystal's hamburgers taste bad; if they did, I wouldn't have eaten them as many times as I have. I just don't think that they're near as tasty as White Castle's burgers are. My visits to Krystal have been in several different states, and I've noticed that the quality does vary from location to location ( typical of chains. ) And yes, I agree that, if you're far from the nearest WC when the urge hits, Krystal's burgers will help "scratch the itch".   

How much does a basic White Castle slider cost today?  How about the equivalent Krystal burger?

As someone who grew up around neither restaurant, IMHO they are almost the same.  I lived 25 years without either, and spent 2 years in MI near WC, then 3 years in Southern AL around Krystle, then 2 years in the St Louis area around WC again, and I like them equally.  I really think those who grew up around one vs those who grew up and THEN tried them is the real debate.

nocarolina


I'm not saying that Krystal's hamburgers taste bad; if they did, I wouldn't have eaten them as many times as I have. I just don't think that they're near as tasty as White Castle's burgers are. My visits to Krystal have been in several different states, and I've noticed that the quality does vary from location to location ( typical of chains. ) And yes, I agree that, if you're far from the nearest WC when the urge hits, Krystal's burgers will help "scratch the itch".   

 I agree with you.  The only place that I had ever known  was Krystals.  I was not impressed with  them at all.  I had my first introduction  to  White Castles  about 3 years ago  and  just loved them.  In fact,  I buy the frozen ones at the super market now  as there are no  White Castles near us.

as a former white castle chef , I can tell you they do not put the buns on raw meat...first the onions , then the burgers,then flip burgers , then put bun on...thats the white castle way!!!

MiamiDon


How much does a basic White Castle slider cost today?  How about the equivalent Krystal burger?

Castles were 60 cents each today. I have no idea how much a Krystal might be. Then again, considering that every time I've ever eaten a Kr ystalburger I've become rather ill, it wouldn't matter to me how much they cost.

I remember White Tower burgers in the Bronx - they were just as good as White Castles.

NYPIzzaNut


I remember White Tower burgers in the Bronx - they were just as good as White Castles.

But White Tower's burgers were grilled just the same as any other burger. White Castles are steamed over onions, and they are much, much smaller than White Tower's were. But the ten cent plate of baked beans was pretty good with a White Tower hamburger.

Michael Hoffman

NYPIzzaNut


I remember White Tower burgers in the Bronx - they were just as good as White Castles.

But White Tower's burgers were grilled just the same as any other burger. White Castles are steamed over onions, and they are much, much smaller than White Tower's were. But the ten cent plate of baked beans was pretty good with a White Tower hamburger.

I guess my memory is not as good as yours - I remember them tasting the same and being the same size - I sure do not recall 10 cent beans.  I am going back 48 or so years.

NYPIzzaNut

Michael Hoffman

NYPIzzaNut


I remember White Tower burgers in the Bronx - they were just as good as White Castles.

But White Tower's burgers were grilled just the same as any other burger. White Castles are steamed over onions, and they are much, much smaller than White Tower's were. But the ten cent plate of baked beans was pretty good with a White Tower hamburger.

I guess my memory is not as good as yours - I remember them tasting the same and being the same size - I sure do not recall 10 cent beans.  I am going back 48 or so years.

I'm going back longer than that.
 
I used to spend a lot of time at the White Tower at the corner of Crown and College streets in New Haven, Connecticut. The White Tower was a block up Crown Street from Louis Lunch, and the manager was the father of one of my friends.
 
 

WOW,  what get's me, is nobody from JERSEY has said anything about WHITE Castle. it's so jersey as jersey the hot dog is.
 
my mother and father met at WHITE Castle, ELMORA  AND RT 28/35 in elizabeth, nj. the CASTLE, is still there,, mother and father are not. god bless RIP.
 
sliders, murder burgers, come a again, i'll catch you again , just some of the past thoughts of the WC burger. drinking buddies back in the day, would play cash your change, 1st order was placed, change was put into the middle of table, counted then we had to spend it to the penny, for a second order. all shared the second bounty. nutzz  lol . we were two timing the morning blues.

Dog Boss


WOW,  what get's me, is nobody from JERSEY has said anything about WHITE Castle. it's so jersey as jersey the hot dog is.
 
my mother and father met at WHITE Castle, ELMORA  AND RT 28/35 in elizabeth, nj. the CASTLE, is still there,, mother and father are not. god bless RIP.
 
sliders, murder burgers, come a again, i'll catch you again , just some of the past thoughts of the WC burger. drinking buddies back in the day, would play cash your change, 1st order was placed, change was put into the middle of table, counted then we had to spend it to the penny, for a second order. all shared the second bounty. nutzz  lol . we were two timing the morning blues.

Dog Boss,
As a Newbee on here, and incidentally, welcome to Roadfood.com, I suspect you have  not yet tried to use the SEARCH FEATURE on here. White Castle has been discussed at length and due homage has been given to New Jersey for it's role in the success and history of White Castle. I suggest you go to the search function under the "Hamburgers' forum and do a search for "White Castle" You'll get all the info you need.
 
HEY STEVE, ET AL--WE NEED A PRIMER FOR NEWBEES!!!!

Foodbme

Dog Boss


WOW,  what get's me, is nobody from JERSEY has said anything about WHITE Castle. it's so jersey as jersey the hot dog is.
 
my mother and father met at WHITE Castle, ELMORA  AND RT 28/35 in elizabeth, nj. the CASTLE, is still there,, mother and father are not. god bless RIP.
 
sliders, murder burgers, come a again, i'll catch you again , just some of the past thoughts of the WC burger. drinking buddies back in the day, would play cash your change, 1st order was placed, change was put into the middle of table, counted then we had to spend it to the penny, for a second order. all shared the second bounty. nutzz  lol . we were two timing the morning blues.

Dog Boss,
As a Newbee on here, and incidentally, welcome to Roadfood.com, I suspect you have  not yet tried to use the SEARCH FEATURE on here. White Castle has been discussed at length and due homage has been given to New Jersey for it's role in the success and history of White Castle. I suggest you go to the search function under the "Hamburgers' forum and do a search for "White Castle" You'll get all the info you need.
 
HEY STEVE, ET AL--WE NEED A PRIMER FOR NEWBEES!!!!

 
 
 
 
WELL  THANK YOU !!!!!!!!      

californyguy

then flip burgers

I have never

ever

ever

seen the burgers flipped at white castle

did i say ever?  Yeah.  Never.

TJ Jackson

californyguy

then flip burgers

I have never

ever

ever

seen the burgers flipped at white castle

did i say ever?  Yeah.  Never.

That's probably because they don't flip the burgers at White Castle.

Foodbme

Dog Boss


WOW,  what get's me, is nobody from JERSEY has said anything about WHITE Castle. it's so jersey as jersey the hot dog is.
 
my mother and father met at WHITE Castle, ELMORA  AND RT 28/35 in elizabeth, nj. the CASTLE, is still there,, mother and father are not. god bless RIP.
 
sliders, murder burgers, come a again, i'll catch you again , just some of the past thoughts of the WC burger. drinking buddies back in the day, would play cash your change, 1st order was placed, change was put into the middle of table, counted then we had to spend it to the penny, for a second order. all shared the second bounty. nutzz  lol . we were two timing the morning blues.

Dog Boss,
As a Newbee on here, and incidentally, welcome to Roadfood.com, I suspect you have  not yet tried to use the SEARCH FEATURE on here. White Castle has been discussed at length and due homage has been given to New Jersey for it's role in the success and history of White Castle. I suggest you go to the search function under the "Hamburgers' forum and do a search for "White Castle" You'll get all the info you need.
 
HEY STEVE, ET AL--WE NEED A PRIMER FOR NEWBEES!!!!

Hmmm...someone posts into a months old, existing thread about White Castle rather than starting a new one and you are giving them a hard time for not using search function? Seems to me like there is an excellent chance they found this thread using the search function!!!

As to your understated suggestion...if anyone is perusing  the internets and doesn't know what a "search" feature is used for, I am fairly confident they won't bother reading (or understand) any newbie primer either. This site, with recent upgrades, has become pretty user friendly, and the search button is pretty clearly labeled.


Also, with the recent upgrade, if anyone attempts to start a new topic on a subject that has already been discussed, when they hit "send" they will be asked to review some prior discussions on the same topic. Despite this new addition, several people, not all newbies, have started new discussions on old topics...meaning you can try to teach an old horse new tricks, but you can't lead him to water...or put him behind a cart...or close the barn door after the beans are in the chili...or something like that.

gee, and, i thought i was saving space on the server........................... i guess i'll just look HARDER next time  ........ happy eating  !!!

Dog Boss


gee, and, i thought i was saving space on the server........................... i guess i'll just look HARDER next time  ........ happy eating  !!!

hey dog boss, hang around. I'd love to hear your stories.

Tony Bad,
Despite all your assumptions about Newbee's (And Oldbee's) Computer Skills and the Enhanced Web Site, which is, by the way, greatly improved, the point remains ---MANY PEOPLE DON'T know how the Effectively Navigate around this web site. You assume too much since you're so closely involved in the project and obviously have excellent computer skills.
 
You made the Statement,"If anyone is perusing  the internets and doesn't know what a "search" feature is used for, I am fairly confident they won't bother reading (or understand) any newbie primer either."  You can't assume that! Newbee's don't know what they don't know about how this site is set up and how to EFFECTIVELY SEARCH the site. Many times, I don't know how to find what I'm looking for! I can't tell you how many times I've used trial & error methods and STILL not come up with what I'm looking for!
 
This web site is unique and many of us on here have struggled to stay current with all it's developments and understand how to use the site effectively. You may be too close to the trees and need to step back and look at the Forest.
 
Keep up the good work you and others do on the site BUT---------------------------
HEY STEVE, ET AL--WE NEED A PRIMER FOR NEWBEES!!!!
 
If for no other reason than for us to have a point of  reference to send Newbees to learn how to EFFECTIVELY use this site for their pleasure and enjoyment. (Like the rest of Us!)

Foodbme


Tony Bad,
Despite all your assumptions about Newbee's (And Oldbee's) Computer Skills and the Enhanced Web Site, which is, by the way, greatly improved, the point remains ---MANY PEOPLE DON'T know how the Effectively Navigate around this web site. You assume too much since you're so closely involved in the project and obviously have excellent computer skills.
 
You made the Statement,"If anyone is perusing  the internets and doesn't know what a "search" feature is used for, I am fairly confident they won't bother reading (or understand) any newbie primer either."  You can't assume that! Newbee's don't know what they don't know about how this site is set up and how to EFFECTIVELY SEARCH the site. Many times, I don't know how to find what I'm looking for! I can't tell you how many times I've used trial & error methods and STILL not come up with what I'm looking for!
 
This web site is unique and many of us on here have struggled to stay current with all it's developments and understand how to use the site effectively. You may be too close to the trees and need to step back and look at the Forest.
 
Keep up the good work you and others do on the site BUT---------------------------
HEY STEVE, ET AL--WE NEED A PRIMER FOR NEWBEES!!!!
 
If for no other reason than for us to have a point of  reference to send Newbees to learn how to EFFECTIVELY use this site for their pleasure and enjoyment. (Like the rest of Us!)

Perhaps you are right, and I assume too much, but what I can tell you based on my experiences here and elsewhere in training and attempting to train people in computer and software use is that those that want to learn find the information and ask questions as needed. Those that just have a passing interest simply want to know how to get from A to B, and will ask for those same directions over and over. They don't really want to learn how to use the system or software, they just want to get where they want to be. I have dealt with people on this site who have written to me several times asking for the same instructions. I know they understood them because they accomplished what they wanted to, but rather than committing the lesson to memory, they got where they were going and emptied the info from their head. These people, who would benefit the most from an instruction manual, will never read one. I have been there. I know.

I'm amazed FBM feels comfortable calling Stephen Steve. :)
It took me a day just to figure out who he was addressing.

Tony Bad

Foodbme


Tony Bad,
Despite all your assumptions about Newbee's (And Oldbee's) Computer Skills and the Enhanced Web Site, which is, by the way, greatly improved, the point remains ---MANY PEOPLE DON'T know how the Effectively Navigate around this web site. You assume too much since you're so closely involved in the project and obviously have excellent computer skills.

You made the Statement,"If anyone is perusing  the internets and doesn't know what a "search" feature is used for, I am fairly confident they won't bother reading (or understand) any newbie primer either."  You can't assume that! Newbee's don't know what they don't know about how this site is set up and how to EFFECTIVELY SEARCH the site. Many times, I don't know how to find what I'm looking for! I can't tell you how many times I've used trial & error methods and STILL not come up with what I'm looking for!

This web site is unique and many of us on here have struggled to stay current with all it's developments and understand how to use the site effectively. You may be too close to the trees and need to step back and look at the Forest.

Keep up the good work you and others do on the site BUT---------------------------
HEY STEVE, ET AL--WE NEED A PRIMER FOR NEWBEES!!!!

If for no other reason than for us to have a point of  reference to send Newbees to learn how to EFFECTIVELY use this site for their pleasure and enjoyment. (Like the rest of Us!)

Perhaps you are right, and I assume too much, but what I can tell you based on my experiences here and elsewhere in training and attempting to train people in computer and software use is that those that want to learn find the information and ask questions as needed. Those that just have a passing interest simply want to know how to get from A to B, and will ask for those same directions over and over. They don't really want to learn how to use the system or software, they just want to get where they want to be. I have dealt with people on this site who have written to me several times asking for the same instructions. I know they understood them because they accomplished what they wanted to, but rather than committing the lesson to memory, they got where they were going and emptied the info from their head. These people, who would benefit the most from an instruction manual, will never read one. I have been there. I know.

Tony B,
Perhaps YOU are right, as a matter of fact, you are right. There are those people you describe, The Non-Absorber, Lazy, Don't Want-To Learn types. I've dealt with them all my life too.
But then there's the other group-- The Absorbers, Actively Interested, Want-To-Learn types. Those are the one's that would benefit from a "Newbee Primer". So why not create one for those people? Some of us Old F**t's could benefit also! Let's work on the premise that there are more people who want to learn than there are who don't want to learn.

Foodbme

 So why not create one for those people? 

 


For what I believe to be the most part, "those people" seem to be doing a good job asking for assistance either on the forum or via private messages.
And speaking just for myself...I don't get paid for doing this and put in enough time already, so writing a how to guide that may or may not be used is not a challenge I am willing to take on. If this is something you'd like to do, I'd be happy to assist!

californyguy

as a former white castle chef , I can tell you they do not put the buns on raw meat...first the onions , then the burgers,then flip burgers , then put bun on...thats the white castle way!!!

I intend no offense, just stating fact -- err -- I've never heard anyone working at white castle referring to themselves as a chef

TJ Jackson

californyguy

as a former white castle chef , I can tell you they do not put the buns on raw meat...first the onions , then the burgers,then flip burgers , then put bun on...thats the white castle way!!!

I intend no offense, just stating fact -- err -- I've never heard anyone working at white castle referring to themselves as a chef

He must be the only White Castle chef in the world. Now, the people working the grill at White Castles always put the buns on the meat as soon as all the patties are laid down. That's what steams them.

Michael Hoffman

TJ Jackson

californyguy

as a former white castle chef , I can tell you they do not put the buns on raw meat...first the onions , then the burgers,then flip burgers , then put bun on...thats the white castle way!!!

I intend no offense, just stating fact -- err -- I've never heard anyone working at white castle referring to themselves as a chef

He must be the only White Castle chef in the world. Now, the people working the grill at White Castles always put the buns on the meat as soon as all the patties are laid down. That's what steams them.

If we had a White Castle within a 100 miles of here, I would go there, Force my way into the grill area and watch how they did it to end this controversy. I just wish we had one within 100 miles. Or even better yet--- A KRYSTALS!!!

I could probably observe and report how they do it and maybe even snap some photos next time I am inside White Castle.

Nah, no need NYPN - I have watched them for almost 3 decades now and never has one been flipped

TJ Jackson


Nah, no need NYPN - I have watched them for almost 3 decades now and never has one been flipped

Just for kicks I stopped by a White Castle yesterday to make sure I wasn't dreaming. No flipping!

white castle is what you eat after a night of drinking.

otherwise no!

White Castle Chef, OMG, Gorden Ramsey would be fuming if he saw that blog. Too funny.

WHITE CASTLE CHEF ?????  Never heard a short order cook called that.


JMHO

David O.

boyardee65


WHITE CASTLE CHEF ?????  Never heard a short order cook called that.


JMHO

David O.

To my  knowlrdge, There is ONLY ONE  Job  Descriptoin for a "White Castle Chel"--- ANYONE WHO HAS EVER COOKED A WHITE CASTLE BURGER IS A W-C CHEF!!!! No skill required!

Gordon Ramsay doing a "Kitchen Nightmares" segment at White Castle?
It is what it is and the one around here is doing just fine.  Plus, he wouldn't be allowed to make menu changes and the only thing he'd be able to deal with would be slacking staff. 

I enjoy White Castle but I can hear him railing about the food!

Andrea

Never ate there, it's a chain.

courtneyt77


white castle is what you eat after a night of drinking.

otherwise no!

How true, I eat there every night!