Who Makes Your Favorite Slider?

kaszeta


I saw the title and was going to answer "Bates, in Livonia", and then saw that the first post mentioned that.  I love that place.

I'm still planning on doing the "slider tour of metro Detroit" sometime when visiting the SO's family.

Aside from the above mentioned Bates, where would one go in the Detroit area for other great sliders? I might be out there and would hit as many of them as I know about since I've loved sliders since my youth and have always loved White Castle.
 
Eat Rite Diner in STL is also a great stop. I have most of the places mentioned on here in my mental notes should I ever be within an hour two drive from them. Its very saddening to me that here in Chicago, other than the 50+ White Castles we have no great slider joints, they all died off like so many other things when Chicago went from a Blue Collar town to a booming metropolis. Slider places seem to be found in blue collar towns and oldtime Midwest cities.
 
Its also amazing how many imitators popped up after White Castle came into the game. I have heard of what seems like 100s of old chains like Prince Castle and the above mentioned Little Tavern, and then theres the place in North Miami posted about above. I guess Krystal was basically the only one to survive but even they arent knocking the champ out. It would be cool if someone did a book about all these places of the past and the ones that survived to stand today. Maybe I'll do that one day.
 
Where in Detroit should I go? 
 
Sliders are actually best (like everything else) when prepared correctly using fresh ingredients (in their case, the beef) They are pretty easy to make at home as long as you can work fast and best made on a flattop. I have a recipe feature on sliders at home here. 
 

KingT

Where in Detroit should I go? 

Off the top of my head..., some of the better Detroit Metro slider joints are:  Telway in Madison Heights, Grady's Lounge in Roseville, Comet in Royal Oak, Greens in Farmington Hills, Brayz in Hazel Park, and Hunter House in Birmingham.  I know Detroit proper still has a few, but none are coming to mind.

I hear a lot of talk of NJ sliders, and like White Mana, but I think this is one place where the Detroit area can hold it's own.

Marcus Hamburgers is also worth checking out if you haven't been there, although it's not a slider (they serve burgers on hot dog buns, and have been doing so for a long time)

easydoesit


The Cozy reminds me of Nick's, a little shop in the college town of Brookings SD. Their only product is a hamburger or cheeseburger and pie. Chips but no fries, like the Billy Goat in Chicago. They cook the burger using what they call the "tank fry" method, which is similiar to Dyers in Memphis. I haven't been in Nick's for years, but was sitting at the counter one day watching the cook drop small, round balls of meat into a large pan with several inches of boiling liquid. He would let them cook for a bit, then use a spatula to smash them flat to the bottom of the pan. I asked him what the liquid was, and he said suet. Didn't sound too appetizing, but I got over that when he put my plateful in front of me. They were cheap, and according to their website, you can still get one for 1.18. Now I need a reason to go back to Brookings.

I was at Nick's last summer on a motorcycle cross country trip. Stopped for one and ended up eating four doubles! Dick, the owner came over and commented that I must have been hungry. They were fantastic.
http://www.nickshamburgers.com/
 

on the road -  white castle
 
at home - home made on kings hawaiin mini rolls with carmelized onions and a drop of wheresyoursister sauce

The Spotted Donkey Cantina in Scottsdale AZ makes great
Green Chile Meatloaf Sliders
Asadero cheese, caramelized onions, grilled tomato, chipotle ketchup and side of chorizo gravy with Donkey fries $10.00
The Chorizo Gravy is as good as the slider!
http://www.spotteddonkeycantina.com/index.html

White Castle!
 
 

Fred's Parkview in Burlington, WI calls its 1/4-lb burgers "sliders" and while they're certainly very good IMO they're too large to be named as such.
 
Brad

White Castle, the one and only "true" slider. Except in the Navy where bugers are called sliders. But when you are cooking on a rocking and rolling Destroyer in heavy seas, those things are gonna slide around on the grill!

Krystal, the one and only "true" slider!   However, a group of us had fresh White Castles and Krystals side-by-side in Nashville recently.  They were so close in flavor and appearance, we all were taken by surprise.  If I'd been blindfolded, I (Mr. Picky himself) would have been hard-pressed to tell which was which (other than Krystal automatically comes with yellow mustard, has a slightly thicker bun, and WC has holes in the patty).  While I believe Krystals tasted better before the Davenport family sold the chain in the late '90s, it was gratifying to observe there was no discernable difference in the quality or taste of the two burgers when both brands were fresh and on the table.  Our group of ten picky slider lovers walked away with everyone in agreement.  I was blown away and shook my head in disbelief, as did everyone else.   

That must have been a fun comparison test!!!

ann peeples


That must have been a fun comparison test!!!

 
I wouldn't have wanted to be around them an hour later when the real comparison test began (toot toot)

ScreamingChicken

Fred's Parkview in Burlington, WI calls its 1/4-lb burgers "sliders" and while they're certainly very good IMO they're too large to be named as such.
Brad

You are correct sir! a 1/4# Hamburger is not a slider.

CajunKing:  Never have had that problem.

I never understood why anyone would order sliders, seems to me instead of one big hamburger with one bun, it's 3 small ones with 3 buns.
 

ynotryme

I never understood why anyone would order sliders, seems to me instead of one big hamburger with one bun, it's 3 small ones with 3 buns.

It's like ordering a pizza and telling them to cut it in 6 slices 'cause you don't think you can eat 8!

The Chicago Hamburger Company, Phoenix AZ.
Home of the 97 cent "Windy City Slider"
Their other stuff is pretty good too!
http://www.chicagohamburger.com/

Foodbme-
Thanks for bring that place up.  I just drove past last Friday night and was curious about it.  Next time, I'm stopping in!

ynotryme


I never understood why anyone would order sliders, seems to me instead of one big hamburger with one bun, it's 3 small ones with 3 buns.

Guess ya never had a White Castle, have you?

I was just at Telway in Madison Heights, MI last weekend.  Mmmm, I'm reminded of how good a slider can be.
(Pics once I get around to uploading them....)

I wonder how many people realize that "sliders" as a nickname was originally supposed to be a put-down, referring to the greasiness and laxative effects of the burgers?
 
Bart

Here's an interesting side-by-side taste test from a blogger. http://www.cheese-burger.net/stories/krystal-v-white-castle.html

While I still didn't have time to do the "grand tour of Slider joints" that I hope to do at some point, at least I got to go back to Telway on last week's trip to Detroit:
 

 

 

 
Telway really does these the right way. Instead of making those little ridiculous "punched with five holes" pre-made meat discs like White Castle, a Telway slider starts with two things: a small lump of ground beef that gets pressed flat onto the grill (giving it a sear that many slider joints lack), and starting with fresh onions instead of dried. They cook them burger side down with the onions on top, and then flip the whole mess over afterward. When it's almost don, the put the bun over it, and cover the mess with a towel.
 
The result is the perfect slider: Greasy, moist, fresh bun; seared meat; crisp dill pickle; and sharp but sweet stringy onions.

kaszeta-
Beautiful!  I now know where to go next time in Detroit.  And I would love to hear about some of the other slider joints you mentioned.

The places I've been for Sliders in Detroit (aside from White Castle) include, but aren't limited to (in approximate order of my preference)
1. Telway (Madison Heights and Detroit).  The Detroit location is not in the greatest area; go to the Madison Heights one.
2. Bates (Livonia and Farmington Hills).
3. Motz (Detroit).
4. Brayz (Hazel Park)
5. Greene's (Farmington)
6. Hunter House (Birmingham)
7. Bray's (Westland)
I've written up Bates on my blog (http://offbeateats.org/20...mburgers-livonia-mi/), and my Telway review should post tomorrow as well.  The others I've been to, but not with the camera, so they'll wait for another visit.
 

kaszeta-
I have only been to Motz and Hunter House and thought highly of both.  Looking at your list, those other places must really be good.  Thanks so much for the info!

White Castle was ok...but Krystal's w/ the onions and mustard always hit the spot.

Uh, white castle!

bartl


I wonder how many people realize that "sliders" as a nickname was originally supposed to be a put-down, referring to the greasiness and laxative effects of the burgers?

Bart

 
-OR-
 
As in the Navy they are called that because the slide across the grill as a ship rolls.

bartl


I wonder how many people realize that "sliders" as a nickname was originally supposed to be a put-down, referring to the greasiness and laxative effects of the burgers?

Bart

Considering the fact that the term slider is a corruption of Slyder, which is a copyrighted term owned by White Castle, and White Castle Slyders are not in any way, shape or form greasy,then your claim is invalid. Actually, White Castle hamburgers were called Slyders because of the way people would slide bunches of them down.

I have heard bartl's claim at the original definition before. Never heard it anywhere else. I believe Mr. Hoffman is correct.
I really dont like Applebee's-but had no choice as a group wanted to go there.Believe it or not, their "sliders " are very good! Very fresh tasting beef, great condiments, nice soft bun. i was totally surprised.

Michael Hoffman

bartl


I wonder how many people realize that "sliders" as a nickname was originally supposed to be a put-down, referring to the greasiness and laxative effects of the burgers?

Bart

Considering the fact that the term slider is a corruption of Slyder, which is a copyrighted term owned by White Castle, and White Castle Slyders are not in any way, shape or form greasy,then your claim is invalid. Actually, White Castle hamburgers were called Slyders because of the way people would slide bunches of them down.

 
I'm not sure that's the case.  It's possible that the term "slyder" was copyrighted as an offshoot of slider.  I believe that "slider" was a nickname for white castle burgers prior to the copyrighting of the term "slyder".  And while White Castle burgers may not be greasy, there has been a perception that they are greasy and unhealthy for many years.  And there are stories that conflict with your idea that they "were called Slyders because of the way people would slide bunches of them down".  Some have said that people coined the term in the 40's and 50's, for the way the burgers (perceived to be greasy) would slide down one's throat.  Others have claimed that the term is because they leave the body fairly quickly.  
 
As far as I know, there is no one undisputed definition of the "slider", or "slyder (maybe White Castle has their own "official definition" written for marketing purposes), nor have I seen anyone claim to know exactly what the definition is except for here. I know that we used the term for them in the 1970's, and I'm not sure the term "slyder" was even copyrighted then.
 
And by the way, while your hot and heavy on the name "Slyders" to describe White Castle hamburgers, note that even White Castle calls them "sliders" on their website. 
http://www.whitecastle.com/food/in-stores
 
 

We called White Castles "gut bombs" in the 60s. Copyright that.

I don't know, the whole slider concept never got to me. I want  a burger that is a burger, and I"ll adjust the cndiments.

saps, not to be a Bitc***-, show me your proof.

A lot of chefs here in Portland put sliders on the menu. My favorite thus far is at the restaurant in the Nines Hotel.

ann peeples


saps, not to be a Bitc***-, show me your proof.

 
Well of course you're trying to be a bi***, Ann.  Don't be disingenuous.
 
Ann- why do you believe what Michael said to be the truth?  Odd that you wouldn't ask him for any proof.
 
Anyway, if you google sliders, slyders, etc., you will come upon boards and sites that describe what a "slyder" or "slider" is in all different manners.  Some because of the way the way go down- some because of the way they came out; some, because they are thought to be greasy, and even others because of the way they slide out of the box.  As I said, there is no definitive definition, and no origin referenced for the name, at least as far as I've seen.  How would you like for me to prove that?
 
White Castle actually  officially used the term "slyder" between 1985 and 2009.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slider_(sandwich)).   They no longer use the term "slyder", and the trademark, referenced on the Wikipedia page, no longer exists.
 
People were calling them "sliders" long before 1985.  They are called "sliders" on the White Castle website now.  I provided that link on my post before.  It's still there.  Go look it up.  The term "slider" has now been trademarked by WC.  
 
I don't know if you live near any White Castles, but if you grew up around them, you heard all of the variations on slider.   
 
Ann- check this out as well.  http://www.slashfood.com/2010/05/12/the-short-tangled-history-of-the-slider/
This mentions the term sliders being used in the late 20's and the 1940's and in fact in reference to greasiness.

Order one of these:

And make your own Snyders, Slyders, Sliders, Slickers. Whatevers----But don't forget to use Kings Hawaiian Slider Buns!

You can do it without a pan...

http://mobile.aht.serious...6/recipe_white_ka.html

White Castle came up with Slyder because other operators started calling their small burgers sliders and the Ingram family wanted to make sure their burgers were not considered to be like any others.
 
But whether you call them sliders, Slyders, gut bombs or belly-bombs, nothing compares to a White Castle hamburger and a cup of that wonderful coffee.

The Chicago Hamburger Company in Phoenix AZ!
Home of the Original Windy City Slider®.
They're a Chicago style sandwich joint serving burgers, Vienna hot dogs and polish, char broiled sandwiches, wings, salads, and more since 1975.
http://chicagohamburger.com/
EDIT: OOOPS! I posted this already. Oh well, they're worth a double post!

Michael Hoffman

bartl


I wonder how many people realize that "sliders" as a nickname was originally supposed to be a put-down, referring to the greasiness and laxative effects of the burgers?

Considering the fact that the term slider is a corruption of Slyder, which is a copyrighted term owned by White Castle, and White Castle Slyders are not in any way, shape or form greasy,then your claim is invalid. Actually, White Castle hamburgers were called Slyders because of the way people would slide bunches of them down.

 
The nickname preceded the trademark, which is why they couldn't trademark the term, "slider". I recall referring to them as "sliders" in the mid-60's.
 
Bart

I've had the little "slider" burgers at both the Cozy Inn and Crabill's, and while both were good, I still prefer White Castle. BTW, there's a Little Taverns website that claims that this long-gong chain, known for WC-type burgers, is coming back to the mid-Atlantic states. We shall see...

Foodbme


Order one of these:

And make your own Snyders, Slyders, Sliders, Slickers. Whatevers----But don't forget to use Kings Hawaiian Slider Buns!

 
you dont need one of these. Take a glass and press out the sliders using the open end or you can use a cap( like the cover to a jar of mayo) and press them out that way.

I still miss White Castle. They're the best I had so far.

Si si.

This one wins the prize!!!
A Monkfish Slider!
Steamed, then chilled Ankimo (Monkfish Liver) AKA "The Foie Gras of the Sea"
A splash of sesame oil
Topped with Fried Quail Egg
Scallion
Dakon
Strips of Nori (Toasted Seaweed)
a touch of spice from Sriracha
Delicious!
Only $12.95 for 2
http://hanajapaneseeatery.com/
A "Special", not regularly on the menu. Can't get Monkfish Liver everyday, ya know!