# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![Bytegeist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9dc877/32.png) [@Bytegeist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bytegeist)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/81 "2005-03-22T14:38:26Z")
> [@TJdude825](#): > > Actually, I think there are only three regular shapes that tesselate the plane: the square, the triangle, and the hexagon. I could be wrong. That’s certainly correct — but in my parenthetical comment, I didn’t specify regular polygons. The set of arbitrary polygons that will tile the plane is infinite. Of course, the set of shapes (polygonal or not) suitable for hamburgers might well be finite, and very small. Regular hexagons would appeal to me personally, but might be impractical for reasons I’m not aware of. ---
**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 22, 2005, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/82 "2005-03-22T14:50:35Z")
According to Roger Ebert, Steak ‘n’ Shake is the best burger joint. We don’t have them in the Washington area, I believe, so I’ve never tried. > [@silenus](#): > > I **Checkers** - A poor Sonic rip-off, like Rally’s. Aren’t Checkers and Rally’s owned by the same company? ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/83 "2005-03-22T15:09:51Z")
> [@Cliffy](#): > > Of course, the best burger in Akron is to be found at the Swensen’s drive in. I sometimes crave one so badly I tihnk up reasons to visit, even though I don’t really know anyone who lives there anymore. > –Cliffy My brother! Next time you’re in the area send me an email, now you know someone. **Hampshire** , I love how they say “no cheese, no extra charge.” ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/84 "2005-03-22T15:20:01Z")
My dad always calls them “pony burgers” and they’re an after-concert tradition. Dad always took me after we’d go to a show, then when I got old enough to go to shows with my friends, we went less and less. My dad will still get them regularly. But, he’s kind of a stoner. 😃 I like 'em, but I can only eat about two burgers before I have to stop. Their chicken and fish sandwiches are great, and the onion chips are to-die-for. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/85 "2005-03-22T15:29:49Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > Dang, meant to add the the A&W in Lexington, MI is still the old drive-up kind with the car porters. Also Dexter, MI which is near Ann Arbor (get on Dexter Rd and follow it till you notice you’re in a small town… turn left just before the 1-lane bridge underpass… A&W here you come. 🙂 It is only open in the summer.) ---
**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 22, 2005, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/86 "2005-03-22T15:30:28Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > Anyone remember Burger Chef? I remember Burger Chef from my Ohio childhood. It was like a poor man’s McDonald’s – it still had much of the 1950s style architecture – very small building, You ordered your burger **with** or **without**. The latter would get you just a hamburger patty on a bun and you’d add your own condiments. In Dayton, we had a little burger joint called Wympees. Anyone heard of that? ---
**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, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/87 "2005-03-22T15:59:29Z")
White Castle was founded in 1921… Those copycats at Krystals didn’t get around to anything until 1932… Losers! ---
**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 22, 2005, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/88 "2005-03-22T16:00:12Z")
> [@Cliffy](#): > > As you can see, I’m something of a fan of a good hamburger. > > –Cliffy when in Nashvegas, try Fat Mo’s. They advertise their food as : “What the hamburger was before fast food.” all data is here > **[Fat Mo's Burgers Nashville](http://www.citysearch.com/profile/9323042/nashville_tn/fat_mo_s_burgers.html)** there’s a Murfreesboro branch, too. ---
**Author:** ![meanoldman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@meanoldman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/meanoldman)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/89 "2005-03-22T16:46:56Z")
Here, underneath the staple in the map (Omaha Nebraska area), we have a (local?) chain called “Bronco’s”. There used to be a lot more of them around, but now, sadly, only a few exist. As a previous poster mentioned about a chain in the DC area, these guys still make their burgers fresh onsite. The cook in the back gets blood on the apron. Their signature sandwich is “The Big Bronco” and it is the kind of squishy goodness that the Big Mac and its ilk only hope to be. I -always- order their pork tenderloin sandwich however. It’s BIG, and made outta a -real- pork tenderloin, not some formed, pressed imitation pork flavored meat product. There is nothing at Bronco’s that is healthy. But it is all delicious. The french fries are just an excuse to eat grease, thin cut fries with skins still on… It takes longer to go through the drive-thru at Bronco’s, since most everything is made fresh when you order it. The one I sometimes go to, seems to be a favorite of the working man / contractor type. Lots of panel trucks etc with electricians, plumbers, contractors, etc etc logos on the truck side waiting in line. ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/90 "2005-03-22T18:23:23Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > I remember Burger Chef from my Ohio childhood. It was like a poor man’s McDonald’s I remember Burger Chef’s existence but I don’t recall ever going there. Wympees does sound kind of familiar as well. OK, now I’m jonesing for a Swenson’s burger. Let’s see, MapQuest says 5 hours and 45 minutes… –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![MissGypsy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8491ac/32.png) [@MissGypsy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissGypsy)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/91 "2005-03-22T19:53:01Z")
> [@RancidYakButterTeaParty](#): > > Steak and Shake is good, but pricey for fast food. Great shakes! Steak & Shake is not fast food. It’s far too expensive and slow. I’ve spent at least 20 minutes at the drive-thru every time I’ve tried it, and an hour or more inside. Plus, they have waitresses/waiters. I’d compare it more to a Denny’s sort of restaurant or diner. And their “steakburgers” are too thin, and almost always burned. And their fries are wimpy. And I love White Castles; set me up with a bag of cheeseburgers, hold the pickles, and I’m one happy little gal. Oddly, I got some in Chicago once, and they put brown mustard on them. Ick. I fed those to the kid. I’m used to Indiana White Castles, where all I have to do is peel off the pickle (because WC employees around there are not always the most dedicated professionals, so I gave up on requesting mine with no pickles.) I’ve never had Sonic, but their commercials look pretty good. If Rally’s is a bad imitation, I’d love Sonic. Ahh, I’d pay good money for a Rally’s chicken club and their spicy fries. I’ve not seen one around here, in Virginia. I miss Big Boy, which seems to go by various names in different states. I’ve found Big Boy in Indiana and Michigan, and I think I saw one in Illinois and another in Ohio. Mmmm, I want a Super Big Boy with extra sauce. Heart attack waiting to happen. I still have an entire set of Burger Chef glasses from the early 70’s, featuring Burger Chef and Jeff. Wonder what those are worth, on Ebay… Hmm. Burger Chef had the best kid meals, with the coolest toys. > [@nonacetone](#): > > 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! There was a Dog ‘n’ Suds in Lafayette, IN when I lived there, about four years ago. Good root beer, mediocre chili dogs. There’s a similar place in Anderson, IN, called Gene’s Root Beer, where they bring the food right out to your car. Excellent root beer, free for little kids, and the best chili cheese dogs in the state. (Not as good as the Varsity in Atlanta, but that’s a bit of a drive from Indiana.) Yes, I’m a fast food junkie. I admit it. ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/92 "2005-03-22T20:21:27Z")
Those that find the strandard slider a little bland need to go after the jalapeno/cheese slider. THAT is a late night taste treat. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/93 "2005-03-22T20:27:36Z")
> [@MissGypsy](#): > > Steak & Shake is not fast food. It’s far too expensive and slow. I’ve spent at least 20 minutes at the drive-thru every time I’ve tried it, and an hour or more inside. Plus, they have waitresses/waiters. I’d compare it more to a Denny’s sort of restaurant or diner. And their “steakburgers” are too thin, and almost always burned. And their fries are wimpy. > > I’ve never had Sonic, but their commercials look pretty good. If Rally’s is a bad imitation, I’d love Sonic. Ahh, I’d pay good money for a Rally’s chicken club and their spicy fries. I’ve not seen one around here, in Virginia. I concur about Steak ‘n’ Snake. The burgers are too small and expensive for their size, and their shoestring fries suck. But they have good onion rings and the best shakes around… plus they’re open all night. I have lots of fond late-night college memories of going to Steak ‘n’ Snake after concerts in the wee hours and pigging out, but I never seek them out when other places are open. Sonic IS great. They have one of the best menus of any fast food place, and their soda fountain-style drinks and desserts are top-notch. Plus who doesn’t love Tater Tots? Their retro-futuristic '50s drive-in design is pretty cool, too. We have Checkers all over the place, which is the same as Rally’s, and neither compare to Sonic. I’ve never had White Castle, but I had Krystal once… meh. I would much rather eat at McDonald’s. As for the best burgers around, look no further than Fuddrucker’s. They’re not fast food, nor do they have fast food prices… you order up front, sit down at your table, and wait for your name to be called. They have the biggest, freshest, tastiest burgers, fresh-baked buttered-and-lightly-grilled buns, a bar of fresh toppings, sauces and condiments, an in-store bakery, a full bar, and the best onion rings on top of everything else. They have a 1-pound burger that is worth the challenge, and a delicious ostrich burger as well. I appreciate a tasty burger more than anyone, and in my experience, nobody even comes close to Fudd’s. ---
**Author:** ![Electronic\_Chaos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Electronic\_Chaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electronic_Chaos)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/94 "2005-03-22T21:57:08Z")
> [@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. We’ve got both White Castle and Krystal. As well as Steak and Shake, Jack in the Box, Sonic, and Checker’s. In fact, all of these are within about a 10 minute drive from here. No In-N-Out, though. ---
**Author:** ![Electronic\_Chaos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Electronic\_Chaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electronic_Chaos)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/95 "2005-03-22T21:58:37Z")
> [@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor](#): > > when in Nashvegas, try Fat Mo’s. > They advertise their food as : “What the hamburger was before fast food.” > > all data is here > > [http://nashville.citysearch.com/profile/9323042](http://nashville.citysearch.com/profile/9323042) > > there’s a Murfreesboro branch, too. Yeah, and I think I’ve just decided what my dinner will be tonight, too. Thanks, Bodsa! ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/96 "2005-03-23T02:16:18Z")
So Jack in the Box is more of a west coast phenomenon? How far east do they range? ---
**Author:** ![Monstre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@Monstre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstre)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/97 "2005-03-23T03:01:11Z")
> [@MissGypsy](#): > > I’ve never had Sonic, but their commercials look pretty good. If Rally’s is a bad imitation, I’d love Sonic. Ahh, I’d pay good money for a Rally’s chicken club and their spicy fries. I’ve not seen one around here, in Virginia. We have both Rally’s and Sonic here in Florida, in my city. And I don’t think Rally’s is a bad imitation of anybody. I prefer them to a lot of fast food burger places. And the one closest to me has been running a lot of 99 cent specials lately, like their Cheese-Double-Cheese burger – which I like a lot better than the comparable double cheeseburgers at places like McDs and BK. I have only eaten at Sonic once or twice – I don’t recall it being overly memorable, but then maybe I need to try the coney island dog somebody else mentioned… ---
**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 23, 2005, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/98 "2005-03-23T06:04:41Z")
> [@CynicalGabe](#): > > So Jack in the Box is more of a west coast phenomenon? How far east do they range? I was going to say no further west than Colorado, but looking at their [web site](http://www.jackinthebox.com/locations/index.php?section=5) it appears that they cut a _e. coli_ distributing swath[sup]\*[/sup] across the continent. Stranger - Not really a fair jibe at them. Since their highly publicized indiscresion with intestional parasites they have led the way in quality control and oversight procedures regarding their meat suppliers. See [Fast Food Nation](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060938455/qid=1111559070/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/103-5644811-2279032) for more details. ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/99 "2005-03-23T06:23:02Z")
> [@Stranger On A Train](#): > > Not really a fair jibe at them. Since their highly publicized indiscresion with intestional parasites they have led the way in quality control and oversight procedures regarding their meat suppliers. Yes, now they cook it till its carcinogenic. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Andros\_X](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@Andros\_X](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andros_X)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/100 "2005-03-23T06:28:11Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > 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. You’re a bit behind the times, **Chefguy**. Five Guys has spread throughout Virginia. Blacksburg has one, and I eat there on the weekends, when the good dining halls are closed. I must second my learned colleague’s opinions. The best damn burgers and fries I’ve had to date. And the burgers are fracking **thick**. It’s a bit expensive, but worth it. If you go to Virginia or DC, you _must_ go to Five Guys. [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=4) [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=6)