# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![Large\_Marge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/50afbb/32.png) [@Large\_Marge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Large_Marge)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/101 "2005-03-23T06:45:30Z")
> [@mr bus guy](#): > > Those that find the strandard slider a little bland need to go after the jalapeno/cheese slider. THAT is a late night taste treat. OMG, White Castle **makes one of these?** Please tell me they’re part of their frozen line … ---
**Author:** ![Marlitharn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@Marlitharn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marlitharn)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/102 "2005-03-23T07:22:49Z")
Maid-Rites. I loooooove me some Maid-Rites. When I was a teenager living in Rolla, I ate there at least once a week. Two Cheese-Rites w/ketchup, hot crispy fries, and a banana shake. Mmmmmmmmm. [sub]I think I’m going to have to make a trip south soon.[/sub] Peoria had one too, I think, but like everything else in Peoria except Avanti’s it sucked donkey dong. ---
**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 23, 2005, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/103 "2005-03-23T12:43:54Z")
When I traveled to Wisconsin to go to the House on the Rock, I remember stopping at a place called Culver’s (part of a chain) that had really good “butter-burgers” and frozen custard. Anyone else like them? Of course we don’t have Culver’s anywhere in the South. My favorite burger joint from my youth was Rudy’s, which had a few Miami locations in the late '80s. They were 1950s diner-themed, sort of like a slicker, “big city” version of Johnny Rockets. They had huge sirloin burgers along the lines of my beloved Fuddrucker’s, a fresh toppings bar, and plenty of sides like mozzarella cheese sticks, beyond just fries and rings. Like Fudd’s, Rudy’s was a sit-down place, and definitely priced more than a typical fast food establishment, but damn were they good. I still love the Fudd’s, but I miss Rudy’s. Are they still around anywhere else? (I won’t go off-topic, but don’t even get me started on how much I miss Taco Viva.) ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/104 "2005-03-23T15:30:53Z")
> [@Big Bad Voodoo Lou](#): > > When I traveled to Wisconsin to go to the House on the Rock, I remember stopping at a place called Culver’s (part of a chain) that had really good “butter-burgers” and frozen custard. Anyone else like them? Of course we don’t have Culver’s anywhere in the South. Yup - they’re based out of Wisconsin, and have spread into Illinois and Minnesota. They have a website - [http://www.culvers.com/Welcome.aspx](http://www.culvers.com/Welcome.aspx) that explains them. They just built one near my house (NW suburbs of Chicago) and while I haven’t been there, my son has and while he likes the food itself, he thinks it’s too expensive and restaurant like - he and his buddies won’t go there when they’re hanging out - they’ll go to Burger King or McDonald’s or Taco Hell. It’s more of a family restaurant like Denny’s or something - in other words, they think it’s just like what **MissGypsy** was saying about Steak N Shake. ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/105 "2005-03-23T15:40:01Z")
Culver’s is delicious, but it’s expensive. By the time you get a burger, fries, drink, and shake, it’s $10. I guess that’s not too bad, but I have a hard time justifying it for fast food. But, I do think it’s better quality than Steak and Shake. ---
**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 23, 2005, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/106 "2005-03-23T15:41:27Z")
> [@Big Bad Voodoo Lou](#): > > (I won’t go off-topic, but don’t even get me started on how much I miss Taco Viva.) Can I go on about how I miss Taco Bell, I mean the Taco Bell that existed before the 1990s makeover? Before Taco Bell went Hollywood with all the slick commercials and the stylistic facelift, the food was much tastier. Among other things, their tortillas were more like real tortillas and not so moist and stretchy. Plus, the decor, with its traditional southwestern browns and reds, was much more tolerable than all the pinks and purples they use these days. ---
**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 23, 2005, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/107 "2005-03-23T15:42:43Z")
It’s definitely comparable to Steak ‘n’ Shake price-wise and quality-wise, but for the same money, I’d rather go to Fuddrucker’s than either. ---
**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 23, 2005, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/108 "2005-03-23T15:46:08Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > Can I go on about how I miss Taco Bell, I mean the Taco Bell that existed before the 1990s makeover? Before Taco Bell went Hollywood with all the slick commercials and the stylistic facelift, the food was much tastier. Among other things, their tortillas were more like real tortillas and not so moist and stretchy. > > Plus, the decor, with its traditional southwestern browns and reds, was much more tolerable than all the pinks and purples they use these days. I remember when you could walk into Taco Bell with something like $6 or $8, and order one of everything on their menu and get change. This was during their earliest ad campaign push, back when the commercials featured Little Richard and Willie Nelson singing about the Bell’s 59, 79, and 99-cent menus. Don’t get me wrong, I have an unhealthy love for Taco Bell (no pun intended), but they’ve definitely been the victims of inflation over the last 15 years or so. Mmmmm, Mexican Pizza… 😛 ---
**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, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/109 "2005-03-23T16:49:58Z")
> [@Missy2U](#): > > - [http://www.culvers.com/Welcome.aspx](http://www.culvers.com/Welcome.aspx) that explains them. They just built one near my house (NW suburbs of Chicago) and while I haven’t been there, my son has and while he likes the food itself, he thinks it’s too expensive and restaurant like - he and his buddies won’t go there when they’re hanging out - they’ll go to Burger King or McDonald’s or Taco Hell. **It’s more of a family restaurant like Denny’s or something** - in other words, they think it’s just like what **MissGypsy** was saying about Steak N Shake. Nah, Culvers is definitely a walk-up-to-the-counter-and-order-type burger joint, but the burgers are much, much, much better than anything from McDonald’s, Burger King, Carl’s Jr, et cetera. (I can’t say much for their fries, though.) They have good frozen custard, too (though not as good at Kopps or Pizza Shuttle), with vanilla, chocolate, and one or two other flavors of the day. Every time I go to Milwaukee I usually pick up a quart to share with friends. It (and gelato) will ruin you for plain ice cream, though. ☹ Stranger ---
**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 23, 2005, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/110 "2005-03-23T16:53:51Z")
> [@Big Bad Voodoo Lou](#): > > I remember when you could walk into Taco Bell with something like $6 or $8, and order one of everything on their menu and get change. This was during their earliest ad campaign push, back when the commercials featured Little Richard and Willie Nelson singing about the Bell’s 59, 79, and 99-cent menus. Don’t get me wrong, I have an unhealthy love for Taco Bell (no pun intended), but they’ve definitely been the victims of inflation over the last 15 years or so. > > Mmmmm, Mexican Pizza… 😛 I’m going even further back, to the days when the whole menu was so small that there was room in the wall space above the register to feature a large photograph and description of each item (including pronunciation assistance). What could you get? Taco Burrito, Bean Burrito, Combo Burrito Tostada (I dearly miss the tostada and the beefy tostada) Enchirito (I dearly miss this too – the recently reintroduced enchirito just isn’t the same) Frijoles (now called pintos ‘n’ cheese) Bellbeefer (basically taco fillings on a hamburger bun) (Those are the ones I remember; there might have been one or two more.) And you ordered the items “spicy” or “mild” and the cashier noted your order on a wipe board with a grease pencil. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/111 "2005-03-23T16:59:44Z")
> [@DogMom](#): > > Ah, yes, White Castle. (Warning: Flash 6 page). > I grew up in Michigan, and we had a LOT of those things. They’re the kind of thing either you love or you hate. I loved 'em growing up. Now I hate 'em. You’ll notice from [this page](http://www.whitecastle.com/_pages/menu.asp) that they call those little burgers “Slyders”. Bowing to the inevitable, I suppose. \ Me too, every word of this paragraph. I was right at the base of the Thumb, outside of Detroit (Warren, to be precise.) You? ---
**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 23, 2005, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/112 "2005-03-23T17:22:13Z")
> [@Stranger On A Train](#): > > Nah, Culvers is definitely a walk-up-to-the-counter-and-order-type burger joint, but the burgers are much, much, much better than anything from McDonald’s, Burger King, Carl’s Jr, et cetera. (I can’t say much for their fries, though.) They have good frozen custard, too (though not as good at Kopps or Pizza Shuttle), with vanilla, chocolate, and one or two other flavors of the day. Every time I go to Milwaukee I usually pick up a quart to share with friends. > > It (and gelato) will ruin you for plain ice cream, though. ☹ > > Stranger Kopps is a “MUST” stop when going through Milwaukee. I grew up near the 76th & Layton location. Awesome burgers and awesome custard. Did they open any other locations besides North side, South side, and Brookfield? ---
**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 23, 2005, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/113 "2005-03-23T17:27:13Z")
> [@Big Bad Voodoo Lou](#): > > I remember when you could walk into Taco Bell with something like $6 or $8, and order one of everything on their menu and get change. This was during their earliest ad campaign push, back when the commercials featured Little Richard and Willie Nelson singing about the Bell’s 59, 79, and 99-cent menus. Don’t get me wrong, I have an unhealthy love for Taco Bell (no pun intended), but they’ve definitely been the victims of inflation over the last 15 years or so. > > Mmmmm, Mexican Pizza… 😛 I’m going even further back, to the days when the whole menu was so small that there was room in the wall space above the register to feature a large photograph and description of each item (including pronunciation assistance). What could you get? Taco Burrito, Bean Burrito, Combo Burrito Tostada (I dearly miss the tostada and the beefy tostada) Enchirito (I dearly miss this too – the recently reintroduced enchirito just isn’t the same) Frijoles (now called pintos ‘n’ cheese) Bellbeefer (basically taco fillings on a hamburger bun) (Those are the ones I remember; there might have been one or two more.) None of this “chalupa” or “gordita” nonsense. Feh. And you ordered the items “spicy” or “mild” and the cashier noted your order on a wipe board with a grease pencil. ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/114 "2005-03-23T18:03:56Z")
Back in the late '80’s and very early '90’s my high school band used to have a ritual Taco Bell feeding in the afternoons before reporting for the football games. The tacos were 49 cents at the time, so everyone would get a dozen. Mmm. (Good times – I remember when I was a junior, desparately hitting on this freshman flute named Eileen at the Taco Bell and her not giving me the time of day.) –Cliffy ---
**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 23, 2005, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/115 "2005-03-23T18:09:48Z")
Flute girls were always snobs at my high school, too. ---
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee7513/32.png) [@Mona\_Lott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lott)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/116 "2005-03-23T18:32:54Z")
I’m not as well-traveled as I’d like. Thus, my opinion is limited to my experience. In my opinion, though, **Fuddruckers** on Reserve Street in Missoula, Montana,makes the best hamburgers imaginable. What say you, **Lindy Hopper**? ---
**Author:** ![CapnPitt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/edb3f5/32.png) [@CapnPitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CapnPitt)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/117 "2005-03-23T18:39:42Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > I’m going even further back, to the days when the whole menu was so small that there was room in the wall space above the register to feature a large photograph and description of each item (including pronunciation assistance). > > What could you get? > > Taco > Burrito, Bean Burrito, Combo Burrito > Tostada (I dearly miss the tostada and the beefy tostada) > Enchirito (I dearly miss this too – the recently reintroduced enchirito just isn’t the same) > Frijoles (now called pintos ‘n’ cheese) > Bellbeefer (basically taco fillings on a hamburger bun) > > (Those are the ones I remember; there might have been one or two more.) > > None of this “chalupa” or “gordita” nonsense. Feh. > > And you ordered the items “spicy” or “mild” and the cashier noted your order on a wipe board with a grease pencil. Was the Chilito on that early menu? I loved the Chilito. I could have sworn they used to put heroin in the Mexican Pizza. If I went for a week without having one I’d get the shakes. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![galt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@galt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galt)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/118 "2005-03-23T18:57:30Z")
> [@Cunctator](#): > > I bet that none of these places makes their burgers properly - **with beetroot**. Warning to Americans: if you travel to Australia, be sure to ask them to hold the beetroot. Ick. And expect bewildered stares instead of pickles. ---
**Author:** ![SpartanDC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b2d939/32.png) [@SpartanDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpartanDC)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/119 "2005-03-23T18:57:32Z")
> [@Ring](#): > > I grew up in Detroit Michigan and now reside in South Carolina. I can truthfully say the only thing I miss from the frozen tundra is the delectable White Castle slider. Every time if visit Iceland I drive to Gratiot and 8 mile and eat them until I blow up. There is a certain price one must pay for this however. Wow, I grew up literally 5 minutes from the 8 Mile and Gratiot White Castle, **Ring**. I didn’t like them as a kid, but my more mature and robust gastrointestinal system loves them now. I get them everytime I go home and I have a box of frozen ones in my freezer right now. I’ve lived in DC for over three years now, but I haven’t been to a Five Guys yet. I think they just did a lot of expanding though, so they’re easier to get to now. Perhaps I can persuade my friends to go there this weekend. ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-aka-whats-white-castle/295605/120 "2005-03-23T20:12:09Z")
> [@SNenc](#): > > I’ve lived in DC for over three years now, but I haven’t been to a Five Guys yet. Go! Go now! > [@Big Bad Voodoo Lou](#): > > Flute girls were always snobs at my high school, too. No, she was nice. I was just a loser. –Cliffy [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=5)