How good is White Castle really?

Question

Always wondered because I live in Oz and would love to try it when I come to the U.S.A.

Answer 1

Some people crave them. I think it's the juices that permeates the bun but everyone has their own reason. You'll have to find out for yourself.

"White Castle is the oldest American hamburger fast food restaurant chain. It is known for square burgers, commonly referred to as "sliders" (or "slyders"), which were priced at 5 cents until the 1940s, and remained at ten cents for years thereafter while growing smaller. For several years, when the original burgers sold for 5 cents, White Castle periodically ran promotional ads in local newspapers which contained coupons offering 5 burgers for 10 cents, takeout only. The typical White Castle restaurant architecture features a white exterior with a crenelated tower at one corner to resemble a medieval castle. The Chicago Water Tower, which stands on Michigan Avenue, is said to be the model for the classic building."

I make my own sometimes with a regular sized patty. A fast way way is cook thin slices of onion or chopped onions on the grill or large pan. When cooked a bit, put a hamburger patty (thawed if frozen patty) on top and press down with a spatula for several seconds. The onions will be seared into the meat. Salt and pepper to taste. You can puncture holes with a fork in the meat before cooking if you want.

Keep flipping the burger and onions every so often until almost done. Finally, place the bottom of the hamburger bun on top of the meat and cook until done to liking such as medium rare. I grill the top of the bun next to it and cook both until done at the same time. Put some sliced pickles on top before serving. Sounds more complicated than it is, but you'll get the hang of it in no time.

The original recipe was better, as it uses fresh ingredients:
"The ground beef was formed into balls by machine, 18 to a pound, or 40 per kilogram. The balls were placed upon a hot grill and topped with a handful of fresh thinly shredded onion. Then they were flipped so that the onion was under the ball. The ball was then squashed down, turning the ball into a very thin patty, The bottom of the bun was then placed atop the cooking patty with the bun top on top of that so that the juices from the beef and the onion would permeate the bun. After grilling, a slice of dill pickle was inserted before serving. Management decreed that any additives, such as ketchup or mustard, must be added by the customer. Anderson's method is not in use by the chain today, having changed when the company switched from using fresh beef and fresh onion to small, frozen square patties (originally supplied by Swift & Co.) which are cooked atop a bed of dehydrated onions laid out on a grill. The heat and steam rises up from the grill, through the onions. In 1949, five holes in the patty were added to facilitate quick and thorough cooking. The very thin patties are not flipped throughout this process. This "steam grilled" method is unique among major fast food restaurants."

Answer 2

I think the point of White Castle is missed entirely here. First, they're one of the oldest fast food franchises in the US, and now there are still only a few in the US (compared to McD or Burger King, for example). But back in the days when they started out (like 80 years ago!), White Castle burgers sold for 5 cents each, and their slogan was buy them by the sack.

White Castle was "the" place to go after you'd been partying hard until 3:00 am or so so, as it was the only place open 24 hours a day. You'd go there, buy a dozen "murder burgers" or "sliders" as they're affectionately called, and with fries on the side, you'd finish off your night. I can remember them for about .18 cents each, back in my partying days. And yes, it's true that if you eat a White Castle that you taste them all day long, but so what, that's the "murder" part of the name. They kill ya but they're worth it!

Personally, I love them. They're more expensive now, about .45 cents each I think, but I still go and order 6 or 7 at a time, and I can go at 6:00 in the morning and they're cooked hot and fresh. It's one of the things I do as soon as I get back to the States.

Wish they had WCs here in Ghana. I definately crave them!

Barb

Answer 3

they suck ! why buy 20 burgers when u can go to carl's jr and get a double six dollar burger { 1 lb meat } . plus carls jr tastes better.

Answer 4

I want to try it to, partly because of Harold and Kumar, partly because of the Eminem song where he's like "so I signed it, Dear Dave, Thanks for the support... Asshole!".

I went to US and forgot to try it. I bet it's crap really.

Answer 5

NO! you don't want to eat that crap!
it's made from really low grade beef...could be infected with mad cow ..ha ha ..you never know!

don't try it..it's not worth it..cause it's disgusting!

Answer 6

Carl's Jr. is superior.