What wine goes with Slyders?

January 21, 2005 11:05 AM

Made your Valentine's Day plans yet? Do you have the guts to suprise your SO with something like this?
posted by internal (85 comments total)

Steamy night (or morning after) indeed!!
posted by terrier319 at 11:09 AM on January 21, 2005

Eww. I'm suddenly not hungry.
posted by loquacious at 11:09 AM on January 21, 2005

Gerry Dick's a hydrocephalic, yes?
posted by Mayor Curley at 11:11 AM on January 21, 2005

Nothing says I love you like Steamed Hams! mmmm... steamed hams.
posted by id at 11:13 AM on January 21, 2005

This is great!! It's gonna save me from having to decorate the damned trailer now.
posted by j.p. Hung at 11:22 AM on January 21, 2005

Blasphemers. White Castle is the first, and still the best of the franchises.
posted by jonmc at 11:26 AM on January 21, 2005

I will marry any woman who will go and split a sack of White Castles with me on Valentine's Day.
posted by uncleozzy at 11:27 AM on January 21, 2005

mmmmmmmm... White Castle!
</Homer>
posted by Doohickie at 11:28 AM on January 21, 2005

I'll go to a singles dinner party.
posted by VP_Admin at 11:32 AM on January 21, 2005

I wish Waffle House would do something like this.
posted by konolia at 11:32 AM on January 21, 2005

BTW guys and gals,
I'm a metafilter newb. I signed up today. Nice little scene you got here...
posted by VP_Admin at 11:33 AM on January 21, 2005

I wish the White Castle in New York was doing this :-(
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:36 AM on January 21, 2005 [1 favorite]

The one in Astoria has a dandy off-menu item, PinkSuperhero. Just head to the counter and ask for a "surf & turf."
posted by jonmc at 11:37 AM on January 21, 2005

Is it just me, or does hearing people called "cravers" send a shudder down your spine?
posted by stonerose at 11:38 AM on January 21, 2005

Hell of an offer, uncleozzy, but I'm taken.
posted by Space Kitty at 11:40 AM on January 21, 2005

jonmc - what is the surf & turf?
posted by internal at 11:43 AM on January 21, 2005

Decorate the White House? No hassle.
Add a big grill: White Castle!
Smile with pride at your Commander in Chief
When a little old lady says "Where's the beef?"

Jim Belushi rapped that on an episode of SNL in the 80s. Every mention of White Castle I've heard since makes it play in my brain. FOR TWENTY GODDAMN YEARS. You can imagine how I felt when we watched Harold and Kumar... last night.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 11:47 AM on January 21, 2005

It's a white castle double cheeseburger with a fried fish filet in the middle. Invented in New Jersey.
posted by jonmc at 11:47 AM on January 21, 2005

The Crave Case is pretty much the main reason I'm moving back to NY.
posted by uncleozzy at 11:50 AM on January 21, 2005

Reminds me of an A&W commercial still getting play up here in the frozen Great White North. Guy persuades the server to give a glowing maitre d' type of description to the ground cow on a bun just set before his date. When the server finishes puffing the burger, guy looks at his date and says, "Oooo... fancy schmancy."

If looks could kill, the world-weary, "Are you kidding me?" look she gives this guy would zap him on the spot.
posted by Mike D at 11:55 AM on January 21, 2005

White Castle calls customers cravers? For real?
posted by mathowie at 12:05 PM on January 21, 2005

Somerimes in marketing. I've never heard anyone in an actual White Castle location use the term.
posted by jonmc at 12:08 PM on January 21, 2005

jonmc: In-n-Out > White Castle. Hands down.

In fact, In-n-Out is better than any other chain fast food joint on the face of the Earth, hands down. The food is better, the prices are better, they treat their employees better.

In-n-out is one of the primary reasons why I can't move away from the West coast or Western US. White Castle? People willingly eat that slop? Sonic? Pffffft. Whack-ass sucka MCs think they can step up...
posted by loquacious at 12:10 PM on January 21, 2005

As a NJian transplanted to Texas, I can say, with certainty, god-damn do I miss me some White Castle.

I think my fiancee would be amused if I took her out to a candlelight White Castle dinner.
posted by ShawnStruck at 12:12 PM on January 21, 2005

As an East Coaster, I've never been to an In-n-Out, but I've been told they're good so I won't disrespect 'em. But do not rip into White Castle in my presence, for not only are they a staple of my diet, but part of my parents' first date took place at the White Castle on Queens Boulevard in Sunnyside.

So slyders are partly responsible for my presence among you today.
posted by jonmc at 12:14 PM on January 21, 2005

I'm with loquacious. White Castle's sliders are nasty (unless you're quite drunk and then they are the BOMB Diggity!). In-n-Out burgers are excellent.
posted by fenriq at 12:15 PM on January 21, 2005

As a NJian transplanted to Texas, I can say, with certainty, god-damn do I miss me some White Castle.

I know it's completely different, but dude, Whataburger.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 12:16 PM on January 21, 2005

The McDonalds in my home town did this a couple of times, as I recall.
posted by jacquilynne at 12:17 PM on January 21, 2005

I ate at one of those Indianapolis White Castles after a Jimmy Page/Robert Plant concert back in '98. I still have indigestion.
posted by sciurus at 12:18 PM on January 21, 2005

I hope if anyone proposes, they do it with a chicken ring.
posted by inky at 12:20 PM on January 21, 2005

I've lived on both coasts. I'd give In n Out points on flavor and overall quality. But if it's 3 AM and your drunk off your face, White Castle is a truly great place.
posted by doctor_negative at 12:22 PM on January 21, 2005

I can always go for a good Slider!!
posted by Gooney at 12:22 PM on January 21, 2005

White Castle isn't fit to lick the grease from the In-n-Out's grill.
posted by mkultra at 12:23 PM on January 21, 2005

I hope if anyone proposes, they do it with a chicken ring.

Dude, that sentence can be read any number of ways.
posted by jonmc at 12:23 PM on January 21, 2005

There used to be one of these in Port Huron, Michigan, across the river from where I grew up, but it's been closed for a few years now. Anyone in the Midwest know if they're still a going concern?

Nothing says "yummy" like Hot 'n' Now. As a friend pointed out, all they had to do in order to satisfy the requirements of their name was serve burgers that were a) warm and b) prepared and served quickly. Taste? Hey, they're not making any promises.
posted by The Card Cheat at 12:25 PM on January 21, 2005

White Castle isn't fit to lick the grease from the In-n-Out's grill.

Well, the best burger in NY is actually Paul's over on Second Avenue below St. Marks. But the Castle will always be #1 my heart, playa hatas.
posted by jonmc at 12:25 PM on January 21, 2005

No one is fit to lick the grill at In-n-Out. No one is worthy. That's like Holy Grease or something, you infidels.
posted by loquacious at 12:27 PM on January 21, 2005

Is it me, or does that whole logo/lockup thing on the top left just seem... unfortunate?

Inside Diana? Ok... as you were.
posted by mania at 12:27 PM on January 21, 2005

Although, now that I think about it, the name In 'n' Out promises even less....*retch*
posted by The Card Cheat at 12:28 PM on January 21, 2005

Inside Diana ...with Gerry Dick

Of course.
posted by loquacious at 12:28 PM on January 21, 2005

Come on, people; comparing White Castles to hamburgers is silly. It's like comparing apples to tuning forks. No useful comparison can be made. I love hamburgers. But a White Castle is not a hamburger and doesn't try to be one. They come in 30-packs for chrissake.
posted by uncleozzy at 12:32 PM on January 21, 2005

This, my friends, is a hamburger.
posted by The Card Cheat at 12:36 PM on January 21, 2005

Sadly, my girlfriend would actually love such an experience. I say sadly, as I am a vegan.

And dare I even compare White Castle to Krystal [Flash, and sound] ?
posted by fros1y at 12:39 PM on January 21, 2005

This, my friends, is a hamburger.

No, my freind, these are. (from the aforementioned Paul's)
posted by jonmc at 12:44 PM on January 21, 2005

Mike D - Where do you live? I love A&W. There hasn't been one around here for years!
posted by LowDog at 12:45 PM on January 21, 2005

Hmm...yours is wider, ours is taller, both will kill you. Let's call it a draw.
posted by The Card Cheat at 12:46 PM on January 21, 2005

My Dad waxes poetic about the White Castle he enjoyed as a youth, though having sampled them once (and never again God-willing), I wonder how he made it to adulthood.

I've been to In-n-Out. Very, very good, but not quite worthy of the fawning genuflection it seems to receive.
posted by jalexei at 12:48 PM on January 21, 2005

For those looking to gain some insight into the history of White Castle and U.S.-style fast food in general (a category originated by the Castle),
this book is a great read.
posted by killdevil at 12:48 PM on January 21, 2005

I ate at one of those Indianapolis White Castles after a Jimmy Page/Robert Plant concert back in '98. I still have indigestion.

From going to Indianapolis or from seeing Robert Plant? I'm confused.
posted by AlexReynolds at 12:49 PM on January 21, 2005

loquacious, you have obviously never visited Burgerville. Those of us in the Pacific Northwest know that nothing can compete. Even mathowie agrees. Sorry.
posted by ..ooOOoo....ooOOoo.. at 12:49 PM on January 21, 2005

jalaxei, was your old man from one of NYC's outer boroughs? White Castle appreciation is stronger there, for some reason.
posted by jonmc at 12:50 PM on January 21, 2005

In-N-Out is pretty good, but overrated. My local roach coach can fry up a better tasting burger.
posted by gyc at 12:52 PM on January 21, 2005

alexreynolds, you might get a chuckle from the lyrics of this Bottle Rockets song.
posted by jonmc at 12:52 PM on January 21, 2005

And dare I even compare White Castle to Krystal ?

No

... and to the rest of you, going to White Castle is like going to church, a church with a greasy altar that smells like onions granted, but a church none the less.

And just for the record, white wine goes with White Castle
posted by ElvisJesus at 12:54 PM on January 21, 2005

jalaxei, was your old man from one of NYC's outer boroughs? White Castle appreciation is stronger there, for some reason.

Greenwood Lake (the NY side) - Not quite an outer-borough, but not too far (my Mom grew up in Inwood, but isn't really into burgers like we are...).

No, my freind, these are. (from the aforementioned Paul's)

I'm willing to give them a try next time I'm in the City, but I must admit they're starting off on my bad side. Who the hell puts blue cheese on a burger?
posted by jalexei at 1:01 PM on January 21, 2005

I know it's completely different, but dude, Whataburger.

For those who suggest other chains like Whata & In-n-Out, let me just say that you're not getting it. The quality of White Castle is far inferior; any craver will admit that. But with the steamed onions, they have a very savory and unique flavor. Calling their fans "cravers" is exactly right. Just like a smoker craves a cigarette, a White Castle junkie craves them little burgers.

I've heard Krystal is a close approximation, but not having had one, I can't comment as to whether they get the onions right.
posted by Doohickie at 1:01 PM on January 21, 2005

Who the hell puts blue cheese on a burger?

I do. That's my burger. Bacon and blue cheese combine very well on top of beef. But they have a wide variety, including the Soul Burger, topped with ham, bacon & fried onions.

Also, during my two year exile in the Sunshine State, I used to eat a this joint, where if you ate a "pounder" (actually 20oz) they'd put your Polaroid on the wall. Is my pic up there? Do you have to ask?

on preview: Doohickie gets it exactly right.
posted by jonmc at 1:07 PM on January 21, 2005

For those who suggest other chains like Whata & In-n-Out, let me just say that you're not getting it. The quality of White Castle is far inferior; any craver will admit that. But with the steamed onions, they have a very savory and unique flavor.

I know we're comparing apples and oranges, but there's "so bad it's good" and "so bad I think this is what diarrhea must take like." I'm inclined to lump White Castle in the latter. But that's my hangup.

I do. That's my burger.

Damn - Didn't mean to offend, but for me it's white american, maybe cheddar if I'm feeling crazy. And 20oz.? Not bad, but in my younger days, I must admit that on my birthday, I'd fire up the grill and buy two pounds of ground beef and craft it into two patties - yum. And there's a place here in Boston called Eagle's Deli that features several "eat it and get your pic on the wall" burgers, the largest of which, the Chillerama, is five pounds of meat, 20 slices of cheese and 18 strips of bacon. Rumor is only two people have ever finished it.
posted by jalexei at 1:18 PM on January 21, 2005

I know it's completely different, but dude, Whataburger.

I know, I know. But the hamburgers there are too big. The buns all different.

Don't get me wrong, Whataburger has some great hamburgers. But it's not White castle.

Plus, the crave factor is reduced a lot because there's a Whataburger on, like, every dang block.

For the premeire of Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle, they actually flew a few cases of White Castle to the premiere in Texas. Man, I wish I'd been there.
posted by ShawnStruck at 1:23 PM on January 21, 2005

I know we're comparing apples and oranges, but there's "so bad it's good"

It's more,"White Castle is good, but in an entirely different way from how Paul's is good," even though they're both hamburgers.

And I'm not offended, just letting you know that it's tastier than you'd imagine, although most times when I'm at Paul's, I've had a few beforehand so that loosens up your gustatory inhibitions.

That Chilerama, sounds.... intriguing.
posted by jonmc at 1:26 PM on January 21, 2005

There is a campiness to White Castle that commands something akin to cult status.
posted by Doohickie at 1:28 PM on January 21, 2005

I've heard Krystal is a close approximation, but not having had one, I can't comment as to whether they get the onions right.

They get it.

Don't get me wrong, I despise fast food, but I didn't always and so have sampled both WC and Krystal burgers. As far as I can recall, they're identical.
posted by kamylyon at 1:35 PM on January 21, 2005

LowDog: Ottawa

There aren't many A&W stand-alones on the streets, but they're a fixture in the malls around here.

These days, I mostly give them a miss in favour of Lebanese -- my fast food of choice. But an occasional summer mug of A&W root beer, especially on a hot day, is still a must.

(And no matter what time of year it is, I can't walk past one without ear-worming one or another of their $@#$!!! "Papa sized for Papa; Mama burger too; Teen burger, Baby burger... just for you" or "Let's all go to A & W; food's more fun at A&W. We'll have a mug of root beer, or maybe two or three; pick the perfect size from the burger family. Hey! Let's all go to A&W -- I can taste it now, can't you? Hop in the car; come as you are... to A&W" jingles!)

And am I the only one on the planet who still remembers when they did one with the words mixed up: "All go let's to A&W. Fun's more food at A&W. We'll have a root of mug beer, or three or maybe two; pick the size per-fect from burger the family. Hey! All go let's to A&W, You can taste it now, I can't. Hop the car in; come you as are. To A&W!" (I think that one dates from the mid-60s, because I remember singing it around the Expo '67 world's fair site that summer in Montreal.)

Eesh... what was the question again?
posted by Mike D at 1:36 PM on January 21, 2005

best burger i ever had was Nation's, in Alameda, CA. and if you can get beyond the kitschy Happy Days theme, Johnny Rockets has some mean ass burgers too.
posted by poopy at 1:43 PM on January 21, 2005

You know, this brings up memories of three things I hate: an ex, her craving for White Castle's and the fact that we always fought on Valentine's Day.
posted by KirkJobSluder at 1:48 PM on January 21, 2005

"Who the hell puts blue cheese on a burger?"

From what I can tell, in New England restaurants it is physically impossible not to get blue cheese on ... well, pretty much everything.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 1:59 PM on January 21, 2005

I wish Waffle House would do something like this.
posted by konolia at 1:32 PM CST on January 21

konolia, I disagree with you on many things, but that is a fabulous idea.
posted by graventy at 2:19 PM on January 21, 2005

The Cozy Inn is the place to go for burgers.

I hear tell they put in a new grill and threw away the old old at some point during the life of the establishment. Everyone complained that the burgers didn't taste the same, so they went and recovered the old grill from the scrapyard and put it back where it belonged.
posted by sp dinsmoor at 2:33 PM on January 21, 2005

My wife would roll her eyes but that doesn't mean she wouldn't enjoy this.
posted by sled at 2:40 PM on January 21, 2005

Don't get me wrong, I despise fast food, but I didn't always and so have sampled both WC and Krystal burgers. As far as I can recall, they're identical.

They are identical with one exception -- you will get mustard on a Krystal burger without asking for it. That was my experience while spending a summer outside Atlanta in the early 80s. I learned to shout through the drive-through mic "NO MUSTARD!" before confirming my order.
posted by terrier319 at 3:15 PM on January 21, 2005

rochester garbage plate, represent!!
posted by ifjuly at 8:18 PM on January 21, 2005

Card Cheat :

I think that Hot'n'Now is out of business, as the three places that I knew of (2 in Lansing, 1 in Owosso) are all closed.
posted by rfs at 8:34 PM on January 21, 2005

Every body has a best burger; every town has a hometown favorite. Sometimes when they're excellent, you remember every detail years later. Other times, it's as forgettable as a daily commute. In the end, it's just a burger.
posted by SeeAych4 at 8:49 PM on January 21, 2005

DUH! This is NOT about the best burger, by any means. It's about Slyders, which never pretended to be the best anything. And Krystals, because they're the same thing. Except for the mustard. I guess.
posted by Doohickie at 8:59 PM on January 21, 2005

Don't get me wrong, Whataburger has some great hamburgers.

No, they really don't. However, they get points for their onion rings.

My most memorable Whataburger moment: my soon-to-be-ex vomiting on a beach in Corpus Christi after eating at Whataburger. Fortunately I wasn't hungry at the time (and he wasn't drunk, just sick from Whata-gease).

I think you have to be born in Texas to tolerate Whatas and other oddities, like Big Red.
posted by MiHail at 9:49 PM on January 21, 2005

I remember seeing boxes of White Castles in the frozen foods at Marsh. So, if you're out West and jonesin' for a slider, you may want to check the frozen food aisle.
posted by Vainglorious at 11:01 PM on January 21, 2005

My girlfriend and I are planning on going on a fast-food road trip this summer, since she's never been to a Steak and Shake, and we've both become obsessed with delicious burgers. Hopefully, we'll drive cross-country to finish up at an In and Out burger, after rocking the A&W, the Steak 'n' Shake, the Whattaburger, etc.
posted by 235w103 at 12:35 AM on January 22, 2005

We have Krystals in the refridgerated vending machine here. Was a little frightened of them.

Guess a little less frightened now...
posted by Samizdata at 2:55 AM on January 22, 2005

Wait ThePinkSuperhero , there is a White Catle in NYC!?!?!?

I used to live on the SS of Chicago, had immediate access to my crave, and have been mourning that I moved to a city without White Castle or trees.
posted by scazza at 5:26 AM on January 22, 2005

rochester garbage plate, represent!!

I'll second that - about the only pleasant thing to do in the armpit that is Rochester - R.I.P. Nick Tahou - he was one in a million.
posted by jalexei at 6:41 AM on January 22, 2005

Wait ThePinkSuperhero , there is a White Catle in NYC!?!?!?

There's several, mostly in Queens & the Bronx.
posted by jonmc at 7:39 AM on January 22, 2005

Locations in the five boroughs, scazza.
posted by jonmc at 8:17 AM on January 22, 2005

I staged a candlelight dinner at McDonald's once. Took a date there, then pulled out a suitcase with tablecloth, candles, china, crystal, silver, all that. Didn't call ahead or nothin', so the management was a bit surprised, but they played along, brought our food to the table. Then we went to the circus!
posted by MrMoonPie at 10:15 AM on January 22, 2005

Card Cheat, I think the Hot 'n Now franchises in Grand Rapids, at least, closed down about 5-10 years ago. The one nearest my old house is now decent drive-thru Mexican (by "decent" I mean "definitely better than Taco Bell"). Also used to be similar place called Get 'em 'n Go, gone around the same time.

I have personally never eaten at White Castle, since they're really not in West Michigan (though Church's Chicken has been popping up recently). Now that I'm in Metro Detroit, I'm always tempted but haven't done it yet. I have a feeling it's something I should have tried back in the day when I'd still eat Taco Bell beef.
posted by dagnyscott at 10:29 AM on January 22, 2005

This thread at first totally mystified me, but it has clarified something:

- Shilling for PepsiBlue, BAD;
- Shilling for a Burger Chain*, GOOD.

Now, if it was only manufactured by Apple, Inc., I woulda got it straight away. Silly me!

*Well, they may need to concoct a seasonal holiday's press release, get it onto a Business News Site and publicise their phone numbers thereon. If they can pass that strict test - voila! Metafilter will suspend all pretence of avoiding overt commercialisation for that seductive combination of cheesy burger and cheesy 'holiday'.

Result!
posted by dash_slot- at 4:48 AM on January 23, 2005