# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![nonacetone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonacetone/32/2819_2.png) [@nonacetone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nonacetone)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/41 "2005-03-21T23:08:21Z")
Has anyone heard of Dog 'n Suds? We used to have a couple in our area in Indiana, but they’ve closed now. I don’t know if they were bought out by Sonic or what. Seems that one location that was a Dog 'n Suds changed the name to Sonic, but had pretty much the same menu. They had the BEST root beer…it was served in a frosty mug. They came out to take your order while you sat in your car, then when your order was ready, they brought it out in a tray that was slung over your car window. I miss that! ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/42 "2005-03-21T23:08:49Z")
> [@Bytegeist](#): > > 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. When I lived in Nashville in 1997-1998, there were 2 in the city (and I think one closed while I was there). When I made a trip to the Nashville area in 2001ish (may have been 2000 or 2002) (Lebanon & Murfreesboro), they had expanded - there was one right off I-24 in Murfreesboro. ---
**Author:** ![Odinoneeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/97f17d/32.png) [@Odinoneeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odinoneeye)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/43 "2005-03-21T23:21:31Z")
Actually, if you’re in the Detroit area, you’re much better off going to one of the White Castle clones. Bates, The Giant Sytem, Bray’s, Top Hat. It’s one of the rare cases where the copy is far superior to the original. If you decide to go the White Castle itself, get the chicken rings. Only eatable thing there. ---
**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, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/44 "2005-03-21T23:33:34Z")
> [@nonacetone](#): > > They had the BEST root beer…it was served in a frosty mug. They came out to take your order while you sat in your car, then when your order was ready, they brought it out in a tray that was slung over your car window. > I miss that! Occasionally, you’ll find an “A&W” drive-in (not the gas-station attached A&W drive-_thru_s you see). A&W isn’t the best root beer by far, but you can get floats and chocolate Coke/root beer, if that’s your thing. Anybody ever eat at Winsteads near the Plaza back when they had real silver and glassware, before they ripped out the drive-in and became just another fast food joint? There are few things I miss about Missouri, but that (or the nostalgia of it) is one of them. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/45 "2005-03-21T23:33:51Z")
> [@Odinoneeye](#): > > If you decide to go the White Castle itself, get the chicken rings. Only eatable thing there. You _buy_ chicken rings? I thought that every night the enchanted chicken ring Draupnir made nine copies of itself. ---
**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, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/46 "2005-03-21T23:40:09Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > 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? Eh. :dubious: Not as good as the Castle, but a fair substitute. If you can’t get Castle, sure. But check the posted Health Board Rating first. :eek: ---
**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, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/47 "2005-03-21T23:46:12Z")
> [@Odinoneeye](#): > > Actually, if you’re in the Detroit area, you’re much better off going to one of the White Castle clones. > > Bates, The Giant Sytem, Bray’s, Top Hat. It’s one of the rare cases where the copy is far superior to the original. I’m from the Detroit area, just working out of town for the time being. I’ve never heard of any of these places! What? Where? Huh? ---
**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, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/48 "2005-03-21T23:50:45Z")
Dang, meant to add the the A&W in Lexington, MI is still the old drive-up kind with the car porters. Anyone remember Burger Chef? Our become Hardees, which was bought by Carl’s Junior, which close all our Hardees down. (Ironically I just ate at Carl’s Junior for the first time a couple of days ago, here in Mexico! Nothing to write home about.) I remember that What-a-Burger was always a good-enough place to get a burger at any hour of the morning when I was stationed in Texas. It’s really Jack-in-the-Box that I miss, though. Not a burger place, but I find that Buffalo Wild Wings has supurb burgers. Then of course there’s Fuddruckers, but then we’re drifting out of the realm of fast food… ---
**Author:** ![Odinoneeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/97f17d/32.png) [@Odinoneeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odinoneeye)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/49 "2005-03-22T00:12:21Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > I’m from the Detroit area, just working out of town for the time being. I’ve never heard of any of these places! What? Where? Huh? There are two Bates, one in Livonia and one in Farmington Hills, The Giant System is in Dearborn Heights and there’s at least 2 Brays, one in Hazel Park, and I’m not sure where the other is. I’ve heard of Top Hat, but never been to one. I’m sure there’s more. These always look like White Castles but don’t steam their burgers. Most of them carry chilli dogs as well. In fact, I grew up in Livonia and was already addicted to Bates before I ever tried White Castle. In fact the first time I ever heard the term “sliders” it was in reference to Bates. ---
**Author:** ![LindyHopper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@LindyHopper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LindyHopper)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/50 "2005-03-22T00:43:50Z")
> [@Indyellen](#): > > So, it _is_ possible to be in the middle. Sorry to burst the “extremes” bubble. 😉 Wow. Weird. 😉 [sub]You’re literally the only person I’ve ever heard express anything close to a middle-of-the-road opinion on the Castles.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![galt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@galt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galt)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/51 "2005-03-22T00:54:22Z")
Can anyone familiar with both compare **White Castle** to **Dick’s** (in Seattle, don’t know if they’re elsewhere)? ---
**Author:** ![CapnPitt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/edb3f5/32.png) [@CapnPitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CapnPitt)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/52 "2005-03-22T01:08:41Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > Anyone remember Burger Chef? I remember making my Dad take me to Buger Chef all the time. I have no recollection of the food, but I seem to recall BC having the coolest toys. Good memories! ---
**Author:** ![Odinoneeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/97f17d/32.png) [@Odinoneeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odinoneeye)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/53 "2005-03-22T01:15:26Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > Anyone remember Burger Chef? Our become Hardees, which was bought by Carl’s Junior, which close all our Hardees down. (Ironically I just ate at Carl’s Junior for the first time a couple of days ago, here in Mexico! Nothing to write home about.) Yep, there was one right by the bowling alley I used to bowl league at in elementary school. Several times, we ended up there for dinner when my mom didn’t feel like cooking. (for the women’s libbers in the crowd, I’d like to point out that I was 7 and it wasn’t long after this that I learned to cook and took over a lot of those duties from my mom) Anyway, the thing I remember most about it was A) the works bar where you could order your burger without anything on it and build it like you like and B) their spokes cartoons Burger Chef and Jeff. They were all bought out by Hardee’s here too, but in the Detroit area there’s no Carl Jr.s so they are still Hardees (assuming they’re still open. The one I used to go to has since become a Wendy’s) ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/54 "2005-03-22T01:27:40Z")
While this started out life as a GQ question, I moved it IMHO. Reason–the question was answered in the first few minutes, and all else is gonna be opinions and MPSIMS quality posts. Not that that’s bad, but just not up to our standards in GQ. Not UP to our standards you say??? You betcha! Now that this is in IMHO, I can say that living in OHio, I have actually eaten two of these tasteless, boiled burgers. They are a misnomer. They stick in your throat, if you have any sensibilities about you. They do NOT slide down. **samclem** GQ moderator ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/55 "2005-03-22T01:55:42Z")
Here’s a place you probably haven’t heard of unless you live in the DC Metro area: **Five Guys**. Fresh ground beef, not previously frozen, burgers formed and cooked while you wait, fresh potatoes for the fries, and all the peanuts you can eat while you’re waiting. Man, I miss those burgers. ---
**Author:** ![5\_time\_champ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/278dde/32.png) [@5\_time\_champ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5_time_champ)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/56 "2005-03-22T02:34:23Z")
Back when I first moved to St Louis, I heard a lot about White Castle. So I go there, take one bite of the “hamburger” and think to myself quite literally, “This hamburger is spoiled, I need to take this back for a good sandwich.” Then it hits me that White Castle hamburgers are so bad, they’re good. Anyway I have been to WC 3 times in life, the food was horrible each time. I can’t imagine ever going back again. BTW there was another movie in which WC played a role, albeit a fictionalized one [White Palace](http://imdb.com/title/tt0103251/?fr=c2l0ZT1kZnxteD0yMHxsbT01MDB8dHQ9b258ZmI9dXxwbj0wfHE9d2hpdGUgcGFsYWNlfGh0bWw9MXxubT1vbg__;fc=1;ft=21), which was pretty well ruined by James Spader’s underacting. ---
**Author:** ![1010011010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/ea666f/32.png) [@1010011010](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/1010011010)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/57 "2005-03-22T02:36:45Z")
At the risk of bringing up a Holy War topic… [Krystal](http://www.krystal.com/default.asp) makes pretty much the same thing as White Castle. If Nashville didn’t have both chains, I’d probably have thought it was a Hardee’s/Carl’s Jr. type situation. ---
**Author:** ![iggy\_popov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f17d59/32.png) [@iggy\_popov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iggy_popov)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/58 "2005-03-22T03:22:19Z")
Steak&Shake isn’t bad but I’ll take sliders of that any day of the week. They slide in and they slide out. Here in my part of michigan we don’t have White Castel. A friend of mine brought back a “Crave Case” which containted about 30-40 burgers. We hung out downtown of our small town and passed them out to people we knew who were walking by. They all learned the hard way why they’re called sliders. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/59 "2005-03-22T03:26:12Z")
> [@Stranger On A Train](#): > > [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 on your way [there](http://www.originaltommys.com/maps/bur.html) you will pass a [Original Tommys](http://www.originaltommys.com/burger.html) Take about slider heaven! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![RancidYakButterTeaParty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/53a042/32.png) [@RancidYakButterTeaParty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RancidYakButterTeaParty)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/60 "2005-03-22T03:34:14Z")
Sliders are definitely called sliders because they slide out rather quickly, it has nothing with how fast they get in. I currently reside in Ohio, and there is a White Castle about 3 minutes from my house. I used to live in Birmingham, Al., and so I had plenty of Krystals in my time too. I say that the White Castle is far superior. Also, what part of the chicken does a chicken ring come from? I can only think of one… Steak and Shake is good, but pricey for fast food. Great shakes! Sonic is definitely the best, as mentioned before. They have incredible variety. By the way, I once ate 18 White Castle Cheeseburgers in one sitting. This is something you have to say if you have ever eaten at White Castle on a regular basis. [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=2) [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=4)