White Castle grand opening in Orlando - the lines go on for miles

[FelineOverlord]

And it was only 9 a.m.

Link to tweet

[LisaL]

1. Are they giving away free food?

[kirkuchiyo]

2. Shite Castle is NOT food... nt

[sdfernando]

11. I'm 100% in agreement with you.

I had the displeasure of trying their "meat" (obscure MONK reference) many years ago on a business trip to Lexington Kentucky. I was actually excited to be able to visit one of their restaurants and get a fresh burger. To say I was disappointed is an understatement...I didn't even finish, threw out what was left.

[kirkuchiyo]

27. When I was in the AF I was stationed in Missouri.

There was a WC in the area and everyone raved about it. We went there once and ended up throwing that shit away and going somewhere else.

[USALiberal]

70. I knew some one would have to whine about this. LOL

[FelineOverlord]

3. White Castle grand opening in Orlando - the lines go on for miles

Link to tweet

[House of Roberts]

4. White Castle is too much like Krystal.

Krystal is only barely edible at 3am, and with a lot of beer.

[dhol82]

5. Guess they must be transplants from the New York area.

I liked White Castle. Just haven’t had one in years.
It was the place to go after high school.

[csziggy]

21. Way back in the early 1960s there was a White Castle in Daytona Beach, Florida

I spent a week in Daytona with a friend at her grandmother's and we were "treated" with a trip to White Castle. I was completely unimpressed - at eleven years old. It did prepare me for Krystal Burgers years later when I went to college.

Both prepared me for the description of Bobert's pork sliders that sent so many to the hospital.

[lucca18]

30. Ah, White Castle! I remember it well!

Growing up on Long Island, as a kid I loved going to the White Castle located in Hempstead.

Recently, I saw White Castle Hamburgers in the frozen section, and I was tempted to buy a package.

Maybe next time I will buy one!

[Tommy Carcetti]

6. Could In and Out expand here instead?

I've had White Castle before. It's barely a hamburger patty. More like a slice of roast beef.

If out of state chains are going to be expanding here, I'd much rather see whether or not In and Out lives up to the hype.

[jimfields33]

8. I've never had an in and out burger,

But all I heard is rave reviews from a whole host of people. I’d love to have one. Bring it to Orlando is a great idea.

[chowder66]

9. Personally I don't like In and Out. Never could understand the hype.

I can get a much better burger in my kitchen with a nice ground sirloin and a cast iron skillet.

[MineralMan]

41. Yes, of course you can make a better burger at home.

So can I, but that's not really the point.

The point of fast food restaurants is "fast." Also, no work to do to get your burger. No clean-up, either. You just pay your money and eat.

In N Out is pretty good, in terms of fast food burgers. They pay their employees well, cook your burger and fries after you order, and use fresh ingredients. However, everyone has their own favorite burger place, I suppose. That's a wonderful thing. You can go to the place you like best and skip the rest.

I'm a Smashburger fan, but they are very messy burgers to eat. Most often, I order a Whopper at Burger King if I want a burger, which isn't a common thing for me to want. However, once in a while, if I am out at lunchtime, I will drive through a Burger King and order a Whopper with cheese and a small order of onion rings and eat them in the parking lot, near a trash can, so I can get rid of the paper stuff when I'm done.

[Treefrog]

49. I usually only eat fast food on a road trip, and Burger King is my go-to sinful thing.

I've had two bad experiences with them lately, and considering I only eat there once (twice in this occasion) in a blue moon I found this annoying. I've done two road trips to get my Pfizer jabs, so my latest BK was the other day. The cheeseburger had a slice of cheese on it that was literally still cold. The burger was room temp. I had to wait in the drive through for awhile, so I was thinking, at least the food would be fresh. I was so disappointed.

I actually filled out the survey form on the receipt just because of this, and I was given a code which I assume will purchase a new meal for me. But I was so turned off, I don't know if I'll ever use it. All I ever order is a cheeseburger and onion rings. Simple enough. The onion rings were hot. The order 3 weeks ago was fairly icky too (different restaurants), so I'd chalked that up to a one off and was looking forward to the one the other day. Blech. I think I may be forever off Burger King now. Just one of those silly treats one looks forward to on a drive, and they've ruined it forever!!!

[chowder66]

51. My point wasn't about fast food it was about In & Out specifically.

Growing up in KCMO spoiled me when it comes to meat. I live in CA now and the best burgers and BBQ were back home by comparison. That has changed and there are good burgers to be found but I still haven't found ones that compare.

I was told it is because the cattle in MO were fed corn vs. grass.

In & Out was shockingly bland to me so instead I typically make my burgers at home since I rarely eat fast food and I rarely eat beef.
When I go back home for a visit the gloves come off.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

7. Hype works.

I'm sure that most of them will have a rude awakening.

I live close to a major White Castle -- their headquarters are located in Columbus OH -- production and distribution center, and trust me! They're not great sandwiches!

Harold and Kumar were lying!

[Treefrog]

18. Hype does work, you're right about that!

I remember college friends bringing in Coors before we could get it in the east. People were insane about it.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

19. Yep, my oldest brother did that too!

He brought back Coors after a trip to Colorado in the 70's (he later moved there in the 80's), and his buddies were so excited to finally try it.

[Treefrog]

46. We were too lol!

What idiots we all were!

[stopdiggin]

60. it was restricted in distribution

(and, yes, way over hyped) 'Smuggled' in from out of state. Very 'elect.' And then it became nationally available -- and everybody quickly figured out -- really miserable second rate beer. (then, later -- kind of a shi*ty company making it as well!) Talk about a let down!

[Initech]

54. The opening of Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay...

Pretty much erases the White Castle magic!

[Buckeye_Democrat]

58. I never saw that movie from the series!

Sounds pretty accurate, though!

Their heavy sweating in the first movie, after stuffing themselves, seemed accurate too.

It's like immune systems reacting to a massive invasion of foreign substances.

[GoCubsGo]

55. It's not hype.

It's transplanted Midwesterners who miss their White Castle. The same thing happened when they opened up a shop in Phoenix. Lots of transplants and snowbirds from Ohio, Chicago, and the rest of the Midwest there, just as there are in Florida. They miss their hometown restaurants. Which is why Portillos, Giordano's, Lou Malnoti's, and other Midwest restaurant chains set up shop there, and are doing fairly well. White Castle is only following in their footsteps.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

57. Yeah, that's probably the main explanation.

Perhaps a few natives down there who got caught up in it too, believing their former Midwestern neighbors to their own gastrointestinal doom.

[Hortensis]

10. Wonder how many voted in 2020? Some, sure, but there's no obvious

support for correlation. Especially since they likely average young. (Ah, youth!)

[Vinca]

12. What a sad commentary on our country.

[smirkymonkey]

42. That was my exact reaction as well.

*sigh*

[Ron Green]

13. Ground Beef, Cheap Gasoline, No Sidewalks ...

What’s not to like about this?

[dhol82]

68. Ah, the American dream!

[Trailrider1951]

14. I grew up in Columbus, Ohio

When I was a child, my Dad would occasionally bring home a sack of 15 burgers and an order of fries for each of the 6 people in the family. Each of the 4 kids got 2 burgers and fries, with the rest going to Mom and Dad. I wasn't much impressed by the burgers, which were small patties of greasy beef with holes (?) in them, smothered in grilled onion bits and placed on a soggy bun. The fries were better than the burgers, but McD's were much better. LOL, it takes a lot to make Mickey D's taste gourmet in comparison. I haven't had a White Castle burger in decades, but I don't miss them at all. YMMV.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

22. I think the small size of the burgers is part of the appeal.

It allows someone to "brag" about eating a dozen of them at one sitting, or whatever.

Then others will often reply that they're called sliders for a reason, as the proud glutton will soon learn.

[alphafemale]

25. I think sliders mean they pop the entire thing in their mouth

Some people have not been told their glutton hole and breathing tube is the same pipe.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

28. Lol! Yeah, I know.

But my past coworkers proclaimed they were aptly named for the other reason.

I actually think they tasted better decades ago. They were never great-tasting to me, but the quality seemed even worse the last time I ate a couple of their sliders a few years ago.

[Captain Zero]

39. A Slider slides out your ass too.

Hope they're all stocked up on Loperimide.

[sarisataka]

26. As young guys

We would routinely buy them 100 at a time for 4-5 people and there were no leftovers. We knew however there would be a price to pay...

4 is plenty for me now but there is still a price

[Ferrets are Cool]

15. That's just crazy

[Treefrog]

16. Well, I feel stupid. I'd never heard of it and had to ask my friend.

She seemed incredulous lol. I'm just not much of a fast food eater though.

[jcgoldie]

17. Someone tell those folks its overrated

They opened one in my hometown about 20 years ago and there was similar hype then. My buddy I worked with was so excited he ate it 40 days in a row! Not recommended 🤒

[BannonsLiver]

38. Overrated might be generous.

[NightWatcher]

20. Meanwhile there's no line at Krystals....

[alphafemale]

23. Those steamed square burgers are usually branded as Krystal's in the South

Still gross.

[sarisataka]

24. The Castle

You will love them or hate them. We mail 100 frozen ones out to family on the West coast every year.

[MineralMan]

29. White Castle Is What It Is.

I don't like White Castle burgers, and don't eat them. However, their onion chips are quite a treat.

There's one not far from my home. Occasionally, I'll stop in for a bag of onion chips. Sliders? Meh...

They're a tradition, though. So, opening one in Florida, land of immigrants from the eastern half of the country, makes some sense. Those transplants will go there out of nostalgia. Then, they will be disappointed, once again.

I think that any fast-food burger place you can name has its fans and detractors. Good luck to that White Castle that opened outside of its native territory.

[sarisataka]

34. We will get the crave

Every few months and head to WB ave or Rice. I am a traditionalist and get the sliders but definitely with the onion chips. The rest of the family prefers their chicken.

I think their shakes are better than Wendy's frosty but are equally thick so ask for a spoon

[MineralMan]

36. Yeah. My close-by one is on White Bear Avenue.

I haven't tried their chicken sandwich. Frankly, I don't stop by there very often. I'm not a big fast-food fan, really.

Sliders don't travel well. Even bringing them home a few blocks away is too long. Eat your sliders immediately is my advice. And remember: "Don't eat more than six!"

However, I may stop in soon, just based on this thread.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

32. The only food that I'd ever ship from my area...

... are Esther Price chocolate candies.

I still haven't found chocolate that I think is better, and I tried some highly-regarded chocolates from Europe too.

[sarisataka]

35. One of my mother's school friends

Moved to Oregon about 30 years ago. She is such a fan (addict) that when she visits Minnesota if you do not have a bag of Castles in the car she will have you drive directly to the nearest store.

[jalan48]

31. Wow, that's ugly.

[Brother Buzz]

33. I don't do lines, and certainly not for White Castle

I did the White Castle thing in Cincinnati, and they were just alright. Sustenance in a sack, for sure, but nothing to write home about.

[BannonsLiver]

37. Barf

Looks like a bunch of people desperate for a case of the shits.

[smirkymonkey]

43. *snort*

Ok, that cracked me up.

[Renew Deal]

40. Is White Castle new in Florida?

I like White Castle. Burgers and fries are pretty good. Chicken rings are no worse than other major fast food. And they have clam strips.

Still, that kind of line is surprising.

[MineralMan]

44. Yeah. It just opened there.

Lots of Midwesterners in Florida. That is what accounts for the crowd. White Castle is an icon here in the Midwest.

Not good, but nostalgic, I suppose.

[Renew Deal]

47. I know lots of old timers that like it

And young people too. I hope they succeed and get better.

[MineralMan]

52. Yeah. A lot of old farts remember such places

from their youth, and crave some more of it.

I'm old enough to remember a time before McDonalds. We had local burger drive-in joints instead. There was one, called the Tip-Top Drive-In, in my home town that was hugely popular with the teenager set. In 1962, you could get 12 little burgers, similar to White Castle sliders for $1. As a perpetually hungry 16-year-old boy, I'd often buy and eat a dozen of them after school.

Then, I'd eat supper at home about three hours later. Those little burgers weren't very good, but they were cheap and filling if you ate enough of them. Am I nostalgic about them? Maybe a little, but I know I'd be disappointed if I ate them now.

Many of my age-peers here in Minnesota have moved to Florida. I'm sure they grew up gobbling White Castle sliders. They're the ones who are lining up in Orlando, no doubt. The reality won't match their memories, though.

[OriginalGeek]

53. I live in Orlando

and they have been hyping this up for a year at least. I know plenty of people are excited about it opening (as evidenced by the long lines) and, as far as I know, this is the first one here in a long time if there ever was one.

We are used to Krystal's here so WC will get the same crowd and additional transplants pining for home. I liked them when we tried them in Indiana (trip to visit wife's family) and I will check this new one out but not until those lines die down.

We also are getting a shiny new Portillo's and I am looking forward to that too. I love me a Chicago dog and I hear Portillo's knows how to make them.

[Mosby]

45. I've never understood this obsession some have with burger chains

I mean they're hamburgers, people, not beef wellington.

A lot of them are way overrated, like shake shack, in and out.

Phoenix has pretty much every chain, and another from tx is coming. The burgers sound gross, can't remember the name.

[Renew Deal]

48. Hamburgers are better than beef wellington

That could be the reason. The hamburger is the defining item on almost any menu. If the burger is good, the place has potential.

[GoCubsGo]

56. I suspect it's as much homesickness/nostalgia as an obsession.

Some of these places have a lot of transplants from elsewhere, Phoenix and Florida, especially. They come from places where White Castle, Shake Shack, and In-and-Out originated. These places remind them of home.

[Mosby]

65. Yeah, that's probably a lot of it around here.

Some of the places are pretty good, like Culver's, the Habit and Hopdoddy.

There were a couple white castles that opened in the 80s, I liked them. They closed at some point. The one I went to was in an old jack and the box location that had no indoor seating.

Phoenix is a tough market, steak and shake just pulled out. Some burger place called Mooyah is coming soon, good luck.

[Stuart G]

50. Story about White Castle...

Where I lived in Chicago there was always a "White Castle" about 1/2 mile from where I lived...no
competition...I think the burgers were 10 or 12 cents...In 57, 58, or 59..a McDonalds opened up within
two city blocks from the White Castles..
...McDonald burgers were 15 cents then. Just standing in line at McDonalds, no inside eating. Well the McDonalds was totally crowded and the lines were great..just like that White Castle is today.

..(by the way, I rarely eat at either one today, elsewhere there are real burgers, not fake ones)

[SaintLouisBlues]

59. Nights at White Castle spoof, funny stuff. It was the late-night place after a night of drinking

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

67. As a third-shift computer operator, there were few restaurant choices at 3am lunchtime.

So, many nights, I had a half-dozen sliders for lunch. Sober. Yeah, I know.

Once in a while, we'd chip in for bridge toll and send someone over to Canada to pick up some Chinese take-out. Now, THAT was some good stuff.

But most of the time, White Castle.

Now, it's been a million years since I loaded hard drive disks into the drive units, but still no nostalgia for White Castle.

[msongs]

61. desperate starving people will eat anything nt

[Wingus Dingus]

62. I like a good burger at least as much as the next gal (and probably more than), but

I can't see waiting hours to try one. Still waiting for the In-N-Out frenzy to die down in their Colorado locations so I can sneak over and get one (had it before, was good) without too much of a wait.

[FelineOverlord]

63. UPDATE

It’s still mobbed

Link to tweet

The world’s largest White Castle

Link to tweet

White Castle is loving the free publicity (currently trending at #2 on Twitter)

Link to tweet

[roamer65]

64. A Mickey's 40 oz'er was about the only way I could get those things down when younger.

🤢

[Luciferous]

66. Yuck. If I'm going out for a burger it's gonna be Culvers or 5 guys.

[moondust]

69. I'm guessing a food bank line.

Would make more sense.

[Demsrule86]

71. Belly bombers...be in the ER by 9:00 PM.