Top 10 Crave-Worthy Facts About White Castle

Say “belly bomber,” and you’ll see faces light up with fond White Castle memories.

This fast-food icon, known for its small yet powerful burgers, has been winning over fans for nearly a century.

But there’s more to the story than just its famous sliders.

Curious? Below are 10 fascinating facts that’ll make you love them even more!

#1. The Day Burgers Got a Makeover

In 1921, The Company started a big change in burger making with Anderson’s new method. The patties were grilled at a hot 500°F, pressed to keep them juicy, and topped with tasty grilled onions.

The major change was using a fresh white bun instead of regular sliced bread.

Because of this, Time magazine named it the best burger of all time. Take that, Big Mac!

#2. The Mystery of the Hole-y Patty

Have you ever noticed the five holes in the sliders? It’s been revealed that these holes help in cooking the patty quickly without the need to flip it.

This innovative idea came from Earl Howell in 1954, but another advantage of the holes is that they amplify the delicious onion flavor in the sliders.

#3. The Name’s Castle… White Castle

The name “White Castle” embodies more than just a whimsical fairy tale; it represents a steadfast commitment to trust and immaculateness.

In light of escalating apprehensions regarding beef safety prompted by the publication of “The Jungle,” founders Anderson and Ingram endeavored to instill public confidence by highlighting the immaculate conditions and unwavering transparency upheld across their restaurants.

Thus, they christened their establishment “White Castle,” inviting all to witness the meticulous preparation of their meat and confidently promising unparalleled quality. source

#4. The Tower Behind the ‘Castle’

Did you know that the iconic design of The Company is not native to Kansas? Instead, it draws inspiration from the Chicago Water Tower, one of the few survivors of the 1871 Great Chicago Fire.

If we’re counting inspiration points, it’s Chicago 1, Wichita playing catch-up.

#5. White Castle: America’s Fast Food Pioneer

In 1921, Anderson began selling burgers in Wichita, creating a quick and affordable dining option that set a new standard for fast food.

By 1922, this influence expanded beyond Wichita, with America becoming the first to establish fast food restaurants, even though England had fish and chip stands since the 1860s.

#6. White Castle; Not Just Burgers – Buildings and Hats Too!

Ingram didn’t just focus on food. He created a side company in 1934 called Porcelain Steel Buildings (PSB) to quickly and affordably build White Castle restaurants.

During World War II, this company supposedly shifted gears to make vehicles for the war, but one has to wonder how genuine that pivot was.

And in a rather odd twist, they claimed to have purchased a company in 1932 to produce their signature paper hats, as if that somehow aligns with their new wartime mission.

By 1964, they were making over 54 million hats each year!

#7. A Hometown Without Its Hero

#8. White Castle; The Burger Bandwagon

After they became popular, many tried to copy their style. Brands like White Fortress, White Tower, and Blue Bell popped up, trying to ride on White Castle’s success.

Clearly, the company set a big trend, and none of those names caught on!

#9. The Burger Diet Experiment

Want to boost your burger’s rep? Fund some “research”. In 1930, it did just that, commissioning a study where a student survived on nothing but their sliders and water for 13 weeks.

Needless to say, after this test, White Castle made some changes to improve their burger’s nutrition.

#10. Fly those Sliders to Me!

Craving a slider in the mid-’80s? They had you covered with their “Burgers to Fly” program. No matter your U.S. location, they’d deliver frozen delights to your doorstep in 24 hours.

And while delivery days are past, those very sliders paved the path for our beloved freezer-aisle treasures.

Alright, there’s our deep dive into White Castle’s flavorful past! Got a hankering for a slider now? Drop a line in the comments below with your favorite memory or order. We’re all ears – and appetites!

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