# Things you've always wanted to know but were afraid to ask. aka: What's White Castle? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 21, 2005, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605 "2005-03-21T18:29:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![sqweels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f19dbf/32.png) [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/21 "2005-03-21T19:54:09Z")
> [@](#): > > I’ll take In-N-Out Burgers over Whit Castle any day! Can you still get the bumper stickers where you trim away the “B” and the “R”? ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/22 "2005-03-21T19:55:33Z")
> [@LindyHopper](#): > > Mmm…White Castle. Haven’t had one since I left Ohio in 1991. Something tells me the frozen ones just wouldn’t be the same. They aren’t, but they do okay being stuck in California, a benighted state with no White Castles and no Dunkin’ Donuts. They’re just so - bite-sized. I’m from Queens, and we had a White Castle not far from us. Excellent stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/23 "2005-03-21T20:06:48Z")
I’ve been to Indiana to visit in-laws twice and am currently working a stint in Columbus Oh but have yet to have eaten a WC slider. I may suggest it to my co-workers when we go out tomorrow but they’ll probably look at me funny but I’ll wait until a weekend when I’m here and find a WC on the way to Indiana. Wife grew up in Indiana and hates them. BTW, Arizona has In-N-Out burgers as does Nevada. ---
**Author:** ![DogMom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9c0ed/32.png) [@DogMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DogMom)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/24 "2005-03-21T20:07:35Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > I thought I mentioned that the buns are cooked on top of the patties. I had no idea that cooking process was secret. It’s detailed at length in one of David Feldman’s Imponderables books. \ Ah, yep, my mistake, you did rather say that. Sorry. But I didn’t say it was “secret” so much as the cooking process was outlined in one of William Poundstone’s “Secrets” book: either in “Big Secrets”, “Bigger Secrets”, or “Biggest Secrets”, which of course are named, not because they contain _secrets_ so much as those titles sell more copies. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_Bowe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/25 "2005-03-21T20:11:05Z")
> [@sqweels](#): > > Can you still get the bumper stickers where you trim away the “B” and the “R”? To turn the word Burger into Urge? Sorry, no. [http://www.topsecretrecipes.com/sleuth/sleuth2.htm](http://www.topsecretrecipes.com/sleuth/sleuth2.htm) “This didn’t exactly thrill the strongly Christian family who had founded the company. We’re talking about a family so committed to their beliefs that you’ll find “John 3:16” printed in tiny red letters on the bottom of every soft drink cup. Although visibility and awareness of the chain was suddenly peaking, the company chose to redesign the bumper stickers, making this sort of alteration much more difficult. Today the bumper stickers still say “In-N-Out” on them, but the “Burger” has been converted to an artist’s rendering of a hamburger.” ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/26 "2005-03-21T20:17:27Z")
I really enjoy them Tasty. Mmm-mmm! And the restaurants tend to be much cleaner than Krystals. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Goob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@Mr.Goob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Goob)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/27 "2005-03-21T20:22:33Z")
I’ve heard the term slider used in the generic form for hamburger when I joined the Navy in the late "80’s. I’ve always wondered where the term came from. Now I know. Or good enough for me. ---
**Author:** ![Roches](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bc8723/32.png) [@Roches](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roches)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/28 "2005-03-21T20:32:53Z")
Was there any similarity between White Castle sliders and Burger King’s [Burger Bundles](http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3190/is_v21/ai_5185902) (a short-lived product consisting of three one-ounce burgers in a box, discontinued in 1987)? Due to a tragic, ill-informed decision I made in 1995, I have never been to a White Castle – given a choice between White Castle, Waffle House, and Wendy’s, I chose Wendy’s, and have never forgiven myself. Is there any way I might relate the faint, distant memory of Burger Bundles to the White Castle experience? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/29 "2005-03-21T20:35:23Z")
What, are you posting from beyond the grave? ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/30 "2005-03-21T20:37:47Z")
Okay, what about Krystal, then? I’ve seen 'em in Augusta, GA, but never actually eaten in one. As a White Castle fan, would I be disappointed? Also, is In-And-Out a White Castle style? Would I be disappointed? I’m currently closer to Arizona than Michigan… ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/31 "2005-03-21T20:49:33Z")
Having lived in only the midwest and the Florida there’s a few burger joints that I have never seen, and there are some I’ve only seen regionally. Steak N’ Shake- I’ve only seen them in the southeast White Castle- I’ve only seen them in the Midwest Krystal’s- I’ve only seen them in the Southest Sonics- I’ve never seen one. Jack in the Box- I’ve only seen one in Vegas, none east of the Mississippi Checkers- I’ve seen them in the souteast. The one’s in the midwest seem to have closed. In-N-Out Burger- Is this a west coast thing? Never seen one. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/32 "2005-03-21T21:09:32Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > Having lived in only the midwest and the Florida there’s a few burger joints that I have never seen, and there are some I’ve only seen regionally. > > Steak N’ Shake- I’ve only seen them in the southeast > > White Castle- I’ve only seen them in the Midwest > > Krystal’s- I’ve only seen them in the Southest > > Sonics- I’ve never seen one. > > Jack in the Box- I’ve only seen one in Vegas, none east of the Mississippi > > Checkers- I’ve seen them in the souteast. The one’s in the midwest seem to have closed. > > In-N-Out Burger- Is this a west coast thing? Never seen one. With the exception of In-N-Out you haven’t missed anything. But there is a good Big Lebowski quote[sup]\*[/sup] relating to that venue of fine, fast dining: Walter Sobchak: He lives in North Hollywood on Radford, near the In-and-Out Burger… The Dude: The In-and-Out Burger is on Camrose. Walter Sobchak: Near the In-and-Out Burger… Donny: Those are good burgers, Walter. Walter Sobchak: Shut the \*\*\*\* up, Donny. Stranger \*Okay, I just responded so I could post a BL quote. Is there a problem here? Oh please, dear? For your information, the Supreme Court has roundly rejected prior restraint. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/33 "2005-03-21T21:43:01Z")
In-N-Out Burgers are fresh ground beef (never frozen) with grilled onions, standard-sized, fresh baked buns and the french fries are cut as ordered. I’m drooling as I type this. I’m flying into Burbank April 9th, I land at noon, guess what my first stop will be? ---
**Author:** ![Bytegeist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9dc877/32.png) [@Bytegeist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bytegeist)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/34 "2005-03-21T21:50:45Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > While Wendy’s chose square patties to distinguish its product and create the impression of more meat (the corners of a Wendy’s patty protrude past the bun), White Castle uses square patties to maximize grill space. In that case, regular hexagons would work just as well. (As would many other polygons.) > [@Balthisar](#): > > Okay, what about Krystal, then? … As a White Castle fan, would I be disappointed? I’d say no. Having eaten at both restaurants — though with a separation of years, making side-by-side comparisons difficult — I would say White Castle and Krystal burgers are essentially the same for any gustatory purpose. Putting it as others have, you would either love them both, or hate them both. The onion taste is probably more intense in the White Castle, and they might be even greasier than Krystal, if memory serves. Also seems to me that Krystal burger _buns_ are a little yellower and eggier, as opposed to White Castle’s plain white buns. Krystal also wants to put mustard on everything. That’s the default condiment if you don’t request otherwise. I think White Castle defaults to ketchup. Not that that matters to the appeal of the burger, since you can always get whichever one you want. Assuming you want the greasy little things in the first place. (I do.) Incidentally, I’m surprised to learn from **DogMom** that White Castle is present in Tennessee. I would have thought Krystal had a lock on that territory. ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/35 "2005-03-21T22:36:10Z")
White Castle’s good, but it’s no Hamburger Station. Man, those were good burgers. I think they’re out of business now. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/36 "2005-03-21T22:47:36Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > Having lived in only the midwest and the Florida there’s a few burger joints that I have never seen, and there are some I’ve only seen regionally. > > Steak N’ Shake- I’ve only seen them in the southeast > > White Castle- I’ve only seen them in the Midwest > > Krystal’s- I’ve only seen them in the Southest > > Sonics- I’ve never seen one. > > Jack in the Box- I’ve only seen one in Vegas, none east of the Mississippi > > Checkers- I’ve seen them in the souteast. The one’s in the midwest seem to have closed. > > In-N-Out Burger- Is this a west coast thing? Never seen one. I travel a lot with my debate students, so we hit these places wherever we can find them. \*\* Steak 'N Shake\*\* - Ate there in St. Louis. Good stuff, wish they were in California. **White Castle/Krystal’s** - The same thing in my book. Both great for late night gutbombs. Bags full of greasy goodness. **Sonic** - The Ultimate Drive-Thru. I freaking _love_ Sonic, but they don’t have any restaurants anywhere near where I live (sob!) **Jack In The Box** - Their specialty sandwiches are pretty good. The rest of the menu is nothing to write home about. Neat antenna balls, though. Their tacos are pretty good too, in a mutant sort of way. **Checkers** - A poor Sonic rip-off, like Rally’s. **In N Out** - God’s Hamburger Stand, in more ways than one. Animal-style all the way! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![CapnPitt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/edb3f5/32.png) [@CapnPitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CapnPitt)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/37 "2005-03-21T22:49:22Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > Having lived in only the midwest and the Florida there’s a few burger joints that I have never seen, and there are some I’ve only seen regionally. > > Steak N’ Shake- I’ve only seen them in the southeast > > White Castle- I’ve only seen them in the Midwest > > Krystal’s- I’ve only seen them in the Southest > > Sonics- I’ve never seen one. > > Jack in the Box- I’ve only seen one in Vegas, none east of the Mississippi > > Checkers- I’ve seen them in the souteast. The one’s in the midwest seem to have closed. > > In-N-Out Burger- Is this a west coast thing? Never seen one. We finally got a Steak N’ Shake in Pittsburgh a few years ago. When I lived in Memphis/Jonesboro in the Mid-90s, I can point to Steak N’ Shake as a high point. I believe they originated in Illinois. A quick look at their [location map](http://www.steaknshake.com/states/location.asp) shows them to be mainly in the Midwest and the Southeast(as you guessed). And Sonic…oh how I miss Sonic. Chili Cheese Coney Dog please…and how can you not love a place that offers Tater Tots as a side. And a 44oz Cherry Limeade. Oh yeah, and they have carhops that bring the food out to you. No inside sitdown at a Sonic. Ok, maybe I should go eat dinner before I get drool all over the keyboard. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/38 "2005-03-21T22:53:52Z")
> [@BMalion](#): > > In-N-Out Burgers are fresh ground beef (never frozen) with grilled onions, standard-sized, fresh baked buns and the french fries are cut as ordered. > > I’m drooling as I type this. > > I’m flying into Burbank April 9th, I land at noon, guess what my first stop will be? [Here’s](http://www.in-n-out.com/cgi-bin/inosearch.pl?category=store&data_in=110) the nearest one to the airport, I believe. Or you can do a search for the closest one en route: [In-N-Out.com](http://www.in-n-out.com/) Good eating! Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/39 "2005-03-21T22:58:37Z")
Damnit, now you’ve got me hungry for In-N-Out. And there’s always a long, long, long line at the drive thru. _sigh_ And I’m trying to cut out most of that stuff. Those _are_ good burgers, Walter. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/40 "2005-03-21T23:06:25Z")
> [@Padeye](#): > > …I’ll wait until a weekend when I’m here and find a WC on the way to Indiana. And then you’ll go looking for the other type of WC. The British kind. :o [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605.md?page=3)